"I'm here. I believe we both know what that says about my judgment or lack thereof." He chuckles and shakes his head. "And I'm not going anywhere until there's a very compelling reason for it." It's not in him to abandon his post, no matter how shitty the conditions.

His smile fades, his look almost pained. "I'll do what I can. Historically, the Seekers are more concerned with templars than mages. When they arrive, it will be we who must give an accounting, not the mages. I'll endeavor to remind them of that if they should prove...unconventional." It's one of his larger worries, that the Seekers will harm those under him and in his care, possibly vent their spleen about the Chantry's destruction on the few left to bear the brunt.

"If for some reason they don't listen or I'm arrested..." He frowns, his fingers tapping the side of his cup. "I want to show you something. We'll have to wait until most are asleep. I imagine we can find a way to while away a few hours here. I can always pull out my chess board. I'm taking a certain risk in showing you. In this case I feel it warranted."