He sighs heavily. It's the mention of Hawke's absence, really, that breaks down his angry defensiveness and his him looking down when he starts talking.

"No. No, I don't think we would have stood by. But hindsight... I was terrified, Aveline. All I could see, all Justice could see, was how she'd almost certainly get away with a lot of slaughter. Some of her men saw her madness, yes, but what of Alrik? What of Keras? What of all of the ones who took pleasure in hurting mages and worse? We would have had to fight her and a great many of her men as well and... And I was scared. And he was angry. It wasn't, it wasn't smart. I know that. But I know that now, Aveline. And hopefully Hawke will bring herself back from where ever she's gone. If anyone can, it's her."

He gestures at her foot with a resigned look. "Do you need me to see to that?"