"I was expected to spy," Benedict answers dully, staring at his hands, "I wanted to come back. But only on their terms."

It seems pointless to try and explain himself now, least of all to Colin, who has no bearing on the final outcome. He's not going to care about the intricacies of it, the hows and whys of every decision; all that matters is how it looks.

"I'm going to be executed," he says next, before he can stop himself. "Tomorrow." Probably better that Colin hear it from him now, so he doesn't have to be surprised by the sight of him standing on the gibbet. Or whatever it'll be.

He presses his face into his hands and falls still.