[ The question left hanging is obvious, but it isn't as if Anders wasn't expecting it. Whether he's being actively sized up or simply humored, his answer is the same, and no less perfectly certain. ]

Any good ship should have at least one mage, that's what I say. And one a capable healer as well as handy with a fireball? Invaluable.

[ It's a little bit of a shameless brag, too. But when you spend your life being told every day what a blight and a curse you are, you have to learn to talk yourself up (if you don't start believing it). ]