So there was something else going on, not inexperience, not surprise. And he doesn't want prying. Sometimes Anders can't tell when someone is trying not to talk, but this time he's clued in enough to feel awkward. He takes a breath, stalling and failing at knowing what else to say.

All right. Maybe fully direct is better than blurting?

"So what is it? What's causing you to freeze up when you've dealt with other hazards on the roads? Is it the blight aspect of it? Are you truly scared by the lack of Templars?" He doesn't think the last question is touching on the truth of the matter, but who knows. Loyalists are very odd sorts. Maybe their captors brought them some sort of feeling of security, despite how unthinkable that is in the light of day.