[ There was a time Alistair would have been a little delighted to see Morrigan reduced to resignation—maybe. Maybe it would have been disconcerting and disturbing. But there was a time he would have expected to be a little delighted, at least, back when he was a childish brat. Now he frowns at her. She isn't wrong, of course, but— ]

I don't think most parents are really thinking of their children before they have them.

[ Helpful? Not helpful? ]

They're inconvenient accidents, [ like him, ] or they're investments in some future, [ like her. ] Scary swamp witches aren't the only ones trying to find a way to live forever. At least you were trying to preserve something other than yourself.

[ But in case that's bordering on soppy, never fear. ]

I don't mean it wasn't a terrible plan, [ he adds, ] but it could have been worse.

[ And Kieran is Kieran. ]