He sets the cup to the side and pulls some mint out of the stores, tearing it roughly so the flavor will spread better through the water while he listens to Asher's breathing. It's not good. But it won't be, not again. Maybe with Justice and enough of a warning... but it's far too late now.

It's only after the mint is in the cup and the cup is refilled that he approaches and looks at Asher to answer.

"The same reason I'm in Skyhold in the first place." The cup gets offered back. "There are a great many assholes here. There are some people whose passing I'd feel relieved by. But I have wounded this world, and I am here to help heal it. Not to help heal only the parts I like. Cullen could be brought in here with near-mortal wounds and I'd save his life." And his hatred of Cullen is very personal. Asher? Not as much.

He holds out a hand. "I'm going to ease a little bit of the pain, if you'll allow. It won't last long, but it should let you breathe more easily for a few moments without being so eased that it comes back with a vengeance." With most patients he simply does what's needed. With one he knows doesn't like him, he'll ask permission. It makes things far easier.