"I know you mean well, and I know you're speaking from a position very different from what you've run across here, but you're wrong there. I do need the writs. I need to keep very careful records. This Circle was almost completely destroyed. I don't know when it will happen, but I do know that it will. There will be Seekers. There will be an inquiry. If we're very lucky, that will be all it is. If we're not, there could be an Exalted March on this city-state, and my meticulous records will be the only thing between the Right of Annulment and every templar here hanging for treason." He's not given to dramatic speeches. Despite the extremity of what he's saying, it's delivered in a calm, level way. There's a chance he'll hang no matter what for his part in what happened. At the least no one else will suffer for his shortcomings.

His brows drop down along with the corners of his mouth tugging down, too. It's very ill chosen phrasing. He shakes his head. No word yet and no way to know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. "They may have their hands full in Orlais. I have no idea. I only know we won't stay beneath their notice forever."