It sounds like the man means what he says, and the glimpse of a smile before Anders turns to go almost has him stop and come anyway, now, despite the risk. What would it be like, to see this progress beginning? Anders no longer wishes to surrender his life, but to see something rise from the destruction he'd been key in setting into motion could perhaps be worth it. Justice, fairness, equality, rather than ashes and pain and more death.

He pauses, glancing back in the vague direction he knows Skyhold rests in. No. Not today. He'd caught sight of some mages moving slowly earlier, and he needs to offer a hand with healing for their injured first. Once he's attended to a little more of the debt he's incurred toward mages, maybe he'll let his feet take him to a sight he's long desired to see.

"Maybe. I said you may." There's a thousand ways for a lone mage to die in the Hinterlands. He's also got an added hand when it comes to surviving, though, and a lot of experience being on the run. "We'll see."

And then he's walking, actually turning his attention away from the Templar enough to start seeking the landmarks he'd spotted earlier, before bears had so rudely interrupted his walk.