'Look, a bird.'

'That is not a bird.'

'It clearly is, Malik.'

'No, it is not.'

Altair looked out of the window closely at the crow, giving a cry before flying into the distance. 'A blackbird, then.'

'It is not a bird of any kind.'

'Malik, do your research.'

'No.'

The door opened, revealing Ezio standing at the doorway, grinning. 'Are you arguing without me.'

'I was consulting Altair about why he thought that that was a bird.' Malik gestured to a tree outside.

Altair mentally facepalmed.

Frowning, Ezio stared outside intensely. 'It looks like a bird to me.'

Malik clenched his teeth and growled.

'I have no time for pointless arguments today. I am on assignment, not like you two,' Altair said matter-of-factly, brushing Ezio gently aside as he left.

Ezio held him back. 'Amico, we always have time for stupid arguments. First, I guarantee you that Malik cannot walk through the city with us without giving us at least one harsh word.'

'Yes, I can!' Malik spluttered indignantly.

Altair grinned. 'I'm with Ezio on this one.'

'I'll show you. But I guarantee you that we cannot make it through the city without Altair saying something stupid and Ezio showing off.'

Malik received two glares; one ferocious and golden, the other indignant and hazel.

'Yes, I can,' the two Assassins protested, at the same time.

'So be it. But you will be the ones buying materials for the Bureau if you fail this "challenge".'

Five minutes into the walk, Ezio spotted a lone guard down a secluded alleyway. He smiled, forgetting his goal. 'Watch this!' he yelled, charging down the alleyway and driving his hidden blade into the guard's neck, flipping him into a nearby haystack before the body had even gone limp.

Malik smiled smugly. 'I knew you wouldn't make it through.'

Ezio stared at him for a moment, before literally facepalming and growling furiously.

'Now we just have to wait for Altair to say something stupid, which, in my experience, will not be long.'

He was right.

'Malik, look. A cloud.'

'I knew it.'

Malik glanced at Altair, but his expression was blank. He showed no sign of frustration or anger, as Ezio had.

'Really, I knew you two would not pull through, but in the first ten minutes...'

'Ha!' Altair interrupted. 'You failed too, Malik! No harsh words, we said. That means you have to go with us.'

'No, I don't.'

'Yes you do.'

'You can't make me.

'Yes we can.'

And that was why Ezio and Altair grabbed onto Malik's only hand and literally dragged him towards the market.