[Benedict nods lightly atop his hands, still looking at a point on the floor somewhere between them.]

If I hadn't fucked my chances of returning to Minrathous after the war, I might not think on it so much. But my fate is with the Southern mages now.

[He purses his lips, his mind briefly drifting elsewhere.]

...and I don't have the excuse of ignorance anymore, even if I could go back. I can never unlearn what I know about Circles. [thanks Colin]