I believe if the curse didn't made Varkas turn to see Ayla, just before she was getting killed by a wivern, Varkas would have reached Talia and scolded to have left the safe place He personally put her. And he would have been right because Talia left a safe place to go after Varkas, no amount of trauma can excuse a stupid decision like this.
The only character who saves the story is the Knight, Talia's guard.
Honest and coherent with himself.