[So he was on deck, near the railing at the bow of the Barge. It was a physical effort not to keep moving in what had to be Mozenrath's direction, but he supposed that this was more civilised than continue to obey the compulsion he was feeling until the two of them collided.]

If it coincides with the flood, then I imagine it shall not be more than a few days. [He inclines his head.] How are you, Mozenrath?

[Iroh had noticed he was walking a little stiffly but was too polite to bring it up. He did, however, make his way over to a bench so he could sit down in the hope that Mozenrath will do the same and take the weight off.]

Is something troubling you?

[Iroh gave a brief, soft smile.]

Other than the flood.

You're worried that nobody else will be able to help you as your previous Warden has?

[Iroh digested that. He had watched Mozenrath change a great deal, and he had no doubt Snape could be credited for influencing it. Presumably, though, there were things left for the young man to learn that his former Warden could not teach him.]

Do you have an idea of what still lies in the path to your graduation?

Why is that?

Because you take pride in it, or because you thought it was necessary?

[A moment's pause.]

May I ask what happened?

Why?

They were acts of vengeance, then, as much as means of escape?

[Iroh's silent for a moment, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees. It's not a mindset he can easily identify with; for everything he has done, he's never taken a life out of anger or desperation.]

There were other paths available to you. Other means of leaving these men behind?

[It's barely a question. He doubts Snape would have pursued the issue if murder had literally been his sole choice.]

I understand.

[He's quiet again, more briefly.]

Have you ever felt regret over a cause of action that you were forced to take?

I disagree. Regret is what makes us seek a better path, should we come across those same circumstances again. Without regret, without remorse, we begin to choose destruction without thought, even when we do have a choice. We blind ourselves to the fact that the choice even exists.

[Iroh half-smiles.] It can take longer than you have lived, Mozenrath, to know the consequences of a life lived without regret. The way that remorselessness changes you is not something you can perceive yourself.

My apologies. I confess, I was talking more about myself. [But he's not going to linger on that and everything it implies. He folds his hands together in his lap.] The things you do regret, what makes them different?