Alistair can't suppress a contemptuous snort -- but he does subside, a little, and toys with the almond bag another moment before responding.

"I'd ask why he didn't finish the journey and present himself to the Wardens on his own. Why the subterfuge? Why the lie? The Wardens aren't picky -- he wouldn't have been the first murderer to join, nor the last, and they could have done their own investigating to see if he was telling the truth. He could have truly redeemed himself instead of this -- this farce that put another black mark on the Wardens when we've already plenty of those to be getting along with."

A deliberate breath.

"So no. It wouldn't change my opinion much."