The slight elf nearly recoils at the sudden outburst, but stands hers ground instead. She stiffens, lips forming a thin line. Hermione's position is understandable, but she won't be spoken to like that. She opens her mouth to say as much, but the apology is already given. Crossing her arms, she sighs, expression softening again though she'll keep her distance. The calm in her voice doesn't fade; it takes more than that to shake it.

"You were under tremendous strain, as were we all. I can relate to an abundance of death and how it weighs on you, how it sickens you so that you can't stand the sight of any more. I say this as one who would gladly have done that ritual if it meant saving a child; abominations are not easily subdued, not at all. That is why they are so feared, because once they cross that threshold, they are nigh-unstoppable. Anders harbored Justice, yes, but he still retained some control, and he was not poisoned by red lyrium. That substance's presence cannot be discounted; mere exposure has driven people mad. Infusing someone with it...." Just the thought makes Inessa feel ill, and she has to pause to collect herself. What happened to that boy will never not haunt her.

"Even with our combined strength, it could well have broken past. And once it had, the town of Fromage would not have stood a chance. It would be one more town erased from existence because the demon took control."