Malik only shook his head, finding he preferred to let his attention stay with his bread rather than linger on with Altair's (strangely animal-like) quirks. Once he had eaten the night's portion, he tied his satchel and moved it to the side. He pulled a small knife from his discarded waist guard, tucked it under the upper lip of his blankets, and laid down.

Fingers interlocked, he used the palms of his hands to support his neck. There was a long silence, and for awhile it would seem that Malik had fallen asleep.

After a moment, however, he spoke.

"Eat quietly," he ordered. "I can hear your smacking from here."