"I was Knight-Commander since. It's been years. You knew that before I left."
It's a weary reply. He can't think of one that wouldn't be. Can't, truthfully, think of one that doesn't have as if he didn't deserve this and worse crawling below its roots, bizarre tendrils of a time which, between them, is past and future alike. But, and here is the point: Never present. Never here. Never now, and - it only goes to follow - never like this.
It's an uneasy conclusion, even more so after having dredged up years and years that will make the words he's about to say sound like madness.
"Anders, I'm sorry. I can't think how I could have prevented this, but I'm sorry."
The distance between them is enough. He gives it another step, and reaches for a flask on his belt.
"I have elfroot, if you want it. If the wardrobes still play their bizarre tricks, then they'll have lyrium potions I can get." For you. For you. For you, he adds, very loudly, in his mind. "I'll leave, if you say the word."
Frankly he suspects that leaving without saying a single word would have been the preferable choice for everyone, but-- Here they are. He'll grind through his dismissal, and let Anders have whatever last shot at him he wants.
no subject
"I was Knight-Commander since. It's been years. You knew that before I left."
It's a weary reply. He can't think of one that wouldn't be. Can't, truthfully, think of one that doesn't have as if he didn't deserve this and worse crawling below its roots, bizarre tendrils of a time which, between them, is past and future alike. But, and here is the point: Never present. Never here. Never now, and - it only goes to follow - never like this.
It's an uneasy conclusion, even more so after having dredged up years and years that will make the words he's about to say sound like madness.
"Anders, I'm sorry. I can't think how I could have prevented this, but I'm sorry."
The distance between them is enough. He gives it another step, and reaches for a flask on his belt.
"I have elfroot, if you want it. If the wardrobes still play their bizarre tricks, then they'll have lyrium potions I can get." For you. For you. For you, he adds, very loudly, in his mind. "I'll leave, if you say the word."
Frankly he suspects that leaving without saying a single word would have been the preferable choice for everyone, but-- Here they are. He'll grind through his dismissal, and let Anders have whatever last shot at him he wants.