Alistair's hesitant to break the silence. It feels like the type that ought to stay intact -- but a distraction might be welcome at some point, just so Cullen has more than his thoughts for company. Maybe.

(Adding to this: Alistair's tired, and twitchy under that big cloudless sky. Hard to think up good stories or jokes when he's in that state.)

He steers his horse close to Cullen's as they move along. It's -- good, having the extra reassurance.