After Ordhan answered he watched, almost holding his breath as he waited for a reaction. Even if it was not news to him, it could dredge up any number of unpleasant things, and the bearer of bad tidings was rarely welcome. Piers only nodded at first, but the slight change in his expression was not lost on Ordhan, and he released the pent-up breath in a silent, shaky sigh. He allowed the back of his shoulders to rest against the chair.
"I am not sure if it was their decision, or the Circle's," Ordhan said hollowly. Hearing criticism of the Grey Wardens was not easy; there were so few left to trust in the world, and if not them, who else? But he could not deny Piers's reason for bitterness. He had first met Constans because his companions were taking advantage of him (or so Ordhan saw it, the tranquil insisted he preferred to be useful), and his place on such a dangerous mission was questionable at best. Whoever was behind the choice to send him--to Ostagar, of all places!--did not have his safety in mind. Ordhan disapproved.
The sudden crack in defenses wrung something inside of Ordhan, though it only showed in the tightening of his mouth and furrowing of his brow. It was so wrong of the Circle to rob families like this, Chantry teachings be damned.
"I am sorry," Ordhan said gently. "He never mentioned Desiderio. I only realized he had brothers when he said you were his father, and I remembered you have four sons. There were other mages sent in that company; perhaps they were sent together?" he suggested, brows rising in a meekly hopeful expression.