"Is there a group who doesn't talk like a knitting circle? At least mages have an excuse - there's little else to do when caged up." There will always be a little bitterness when he speaks of the Circles. He can't help it. But he doesn't sound actually upset right now, and that's some progress. After all, most of his focus is on helping a rather solid, somewhat smelly man to a tent.

Once there, Anders helps Herc to sit on a cot and nods to him. "Go ahead and get your shirt off, if you can. If you can't, I'll help undress you too, but don't spread it around that I'm doing that for free." Best to keep the jokes happening. Herc's in pain and he's going to be in more when getting the shirt off.