[ Alistair stops, turns, and looks briefly mutinous, like he might say tell Nathaniel it's too late and he should bugger off and leave Alistair to his indifference and indulgent self-pity thanks very much, thus sparing them both any further suffering. Alas, no one is that lucky. ]

I just wanted to know, [ he says, a little like it hurts to talk, because caring about Nathaniel's opinion about anything is painful, ] what you think. I have to look for him. But there's enough chaos, and I don't know if I should tell her now, or wait to see if something comes of it, or—you know, I almost wish I knew where Loghain was.

[ Loghain is a monster, but he loved Maric and knows Anora. He could be useful for a minute or two before Alistair shoved him off a high wall. ]