She's used to explaining things in small words to fundamentally political appointees while sounding polite and patient. Hopefully she can at least make a dent - ?

He's pretty committed to the main thrust of his plan (because of the glory) but she can maybe get small tactical concessions to reality.

There's a lot of other ways to achieve glory like not dying, but yeah if he's being stubborn about this she'll focus on said tactical concessions...

She can get to where some of the soldiers are less likely to die, at least.

An important goal in and of itself. 

Cailan seems to think he's been very magnanimous with the concessions he's making.

She is valiantly resisting the urge to make meaningful eye contact with Loghain while sighing.

Perhaps sensing this impulse, Duncan begins gently steering the meeting towards wrapping up. There's much for everyone to do if they are to put this plan into action, after all.

True enough. 

As the king and council depart, Duncan approaches the group of new Wardens.

"That was well handled," he says to Halna. "The king can be stubborn, but you carried yourself with grace."

"...He's not the most stubborn I've had to bring around. And - he means well. That counts for a lot."

"He does. And yet meaning well will not stop this Blight. That is why I will be the only the only Grey Warden in Cailan's trap. The rest of you, I am sending to oversee the beacon at the Tower of Ishal."

"But Duncan-"

He holds up a hand to forestall her. "This is not a matter for debate, Xandra. Until the reinforcements from Orlais arrive, we are the only Grey Wardens in Ferelden. We must preserve our strength beyond this battle, until the archdemon appears."

Sigh.

"You think it'll go that poorly?" 

"I do not think it is a wise gamble to make at this point. But one goes to war with the army, and king, they have. We will mitigate what risks we can, and hope the lesson does not prove too costly."

...Unfortunately true.

And speaking of lessons, now that they're all properly Wardens, Duncan has some meditations and breathing exercises to share that can help them control the influence of the taint and hone their sense for darkspawn.

Important to know. 

Some of these remind Briony of templar practices.

Meditative principles might be similar?

Mindfulness is mindfulness, it seems.

Means Briony's ahead of her, though. Lys will have to catch up. 

Lys is good at chasing Briony.