He lifted a hand, easily either dismissing or forgiving the lack of knowing. "Few know of Masyaf until they have been nearby. It is a small, independent nation - small enough to be dependent on our neighbors for much of our need. Much of our food, we can grow, but we need steel from Damas, rice from Jerusalem, fish from Akka. Our villagers depend on the Brotherhood to keep them safe - and we do as we can. Your name, though, is in a familiar style. To me, it sounds Roman. The name - Tevinter. There is a river in Rome called the Tevere. Perhaps it would be related in some way."

No one could say that Altaïr was not an educated man. In his ninety-two years, he had had much time to study, to read the books of the Masyaf libraries and travel, to add his own knowledge to the collection. The geography of countries near enough to reach by sea was almost a matter of simplicity, and it made him wonder that there were such similarities.