He shrugged one shoulder. "More than once, it has been said that I lack a true humour. You are not the first - and likely will not be the last." Not much of an admission, but true. "And that is unfortunate - but have no worry. We fought to end a war against zealots. And membership into our Brotherhood no longer requires such a sacrifice. My own learnings made certain of that. I do not regret having made it, but I am glad that those who follow will not have to. It is too public a mark."

And if they were to operate in the shadows, remaining unremarked would serve that goal much, much more easily.