They watch the exchange quietly, Kian looking more guilty by the time it's done and Ashton looking calmer. Ready to die or not, it's a relief to have Teren in front of her rather than behind.

"We're, some of us were, resolutionists," Ashton replies before watching for a reaction.

"Would that even mean anything to them?" Kian isn't quite looking at anyone. "She's not a Circle mage, they're not even mages."

Ashton exhales, looking like she hadn't thought of that. "Those of us who didn't manage to go apostate before the Circles broke were members of a fraternity that believed in breaking them anyway, by any means possible. We reached out to Anders a few months ago when his location was confirmed. His reply was... disappointing."

"It didn't seem like it was really him," Kian elaborates.

"That's who we are and why we needed to meet him. For an exchange, we want an agreement to no raids or attacks, and we'll give you one of them."

"Preferably Alistair." While his tone is mild, the look he gives Ashton isn't. "If someone cares to stay behind with Anders we won't argue it."

The look she gives Kian in return is unreadable, but a moment later she's looking at Nathaniel again and ignoring Teren as best she can. "Some of us would prefer to release Anders and keep Alistair instead."