"Probably not," Darras agrees, evenly, "'cos Orlais as a whole is a bastard. And that's the rub, isn't it. You don't want to roll over for a bastard, but that means you can't keep above him, either, as he keeps dragging you down to his level. Which--and I don't have t' tell you this, mate--is low.

"So there's squabbling with a bastard--" One hand, which he holds out, empty. "Or there's getting above him." Which his other hand, with which he's picked up his wine once more. Clearly superior. "And the best part of it is, he owes you. There's nothing quite like a man owing you for some favor he can't ever repay. Until that debt means he's dogging your steps and hanging on you, then it's just irritating."