[He never thought this conversation would be easy. It's why he's never had it with anyone. Not even Mahanon knew this much. Just the bare minimum. However, the fact that she's holding his hand and isn't telling him to stop talking is encouraging and it's what he focuses on as he continues.

But even over a decade later, the things he saw haunt him, drive him, keep him grounded in what too much leniency can cause.]

I later found out that a month passed before the Hero of Ferelden's party came to the Tower and cleansed it of the demons, undead and blood mages that plagued the entire building. [Saved him and his mind.] But Knight-Commander Greagoir thought it best for me not to stay there after those events.

I know that he was trying to help me at the time, and I was grateful then. However, being sent to Kirkwall both helped and made things worse. I suppose being Meredith's second-in-command helped put things in perspective for when Cassandra came to Kirkwall and asked me to join the Inquisition.

[He takes a shaky breath and laughs a bit.]

So, my experience in these matters is laughably minimal. [He's really been running on instinct when she's nearby. Which appears to have been at least correct for the most part.] However, I don't wish to...disappoint you in any way.