It's peaceful, working with magic, feeling the flow of it through his mind and breath and working with it. Even when he doesn't have something just right, he's satisfied to create.

After her judgement, Anders offers her a smile. "Thank you." This is exactly the thing he'd been hoping to see, and hoping to see spread. Roads are important. This is a skill that can be taken by mages and used out there, away from the Inquisition, to make a life. To have hope.

"I'm glad you came. I know we don't know each other that well, and you... very likely did not come for my sake, but you came and this lesson is invaluable. Mages can take it and use it tomorrow for traders, and so on." There's something in his voice she might not have ever heard before - today he can even feel some hope.