[It's never stopped Templars from trying before, he thinks, before remembering that actually, they'd always been able to follow through before. Now he has protection. She can't just break things he's worked hard to gather for those who can't afford them, and she can't simply attack him. It's nice.

Her words draw him away from those thoughts.]

Stripped of rank.

[It's repeated with clear surprise.]

I'd truly not expected anything to happen. Templars and Seekers in my experience only seem to follow through when there's a way to harm a mage.

[She'll mock it, no doubt. Doubt it, even. But he takes pleasure in being exceedingly honest with her because she more than likely misses a vast majority of it. It's safe to be absolutely honest as she won't buy or believe it.]

As far as handling goes, I'm near-certain it was none of mine. I can make certain, but my whispers will do nothing here. There's no cause being riled up, so far as I can tell, no declarations. Simply... plants. Should someone turn this political with a speech or a leaflet, then there's something I can do. Until then...

[He's shrugging, even if she can't see it.]

I've no idea what I could say or do in regard to the situation that isn't "I wish I knew how to do that."