Altaïr and other Assassins pride themselves in seeing the world differently. They aim to transcend its illusions. (That may take a less metaphorical meaning in this world.) It is Altaïr who is the danger from above.

Altaïr hauls himself onto a small balcony spanning the circumference of the narrowing tower, no doubt used to service the well-crafted glass prism that sits just above the two climbers at the top of the spire. The wind is relentless here, tugging at his robes unforgivingly. The air is cold and carries the sea with it. Altaïr feels like he is on the tallest tower in Acre.

"What do you make of the world, as I see it?" He does not know if being this high up is a common experience for D.