I'm Not Gonna Sugarcoat It

Lyric listened wide eyed, it was fascinating hearing about Tevinter from an actual Vint. He seemed a bit humble about the telling of his history, yet also clear and to the point. She didn’t interrupt any of it, she just enjoyed imagining a world where mages weren’t treated like slaves.

Tiberius's question about why she hadn't fought harder or run further made her pause. She had thought about running, but fear and uncertainty had held her back. She had been raised to believe that there was nowhere to run, that all roads led back to the Circle. But now, looking at Tiberius, she couldn't help but wonder if there had been another way, a different path she could have taken.

To be honest, even after that mage blew up the Chantry in Kirkwall and sparked the mage rebellion, I was still a bit scared to leave the Circle. Wasn’t sure where I belonged, my parents aren’t exactly warm and fuzzy, something I’m sure you noticed, so I didn’t feel like I could go home back then, and then there’s the business of our phylacteries. If I couldn’t steal mine, the Templars would be able to find me wherever I went and punish anyone that helped me. She also thought how she imagined the slaves in Tevinter felt much the same way as she had felt under the thumb under the Templars, but for now she chose to keep her mouth shut on the topic.

But eventually, I took my chances and left. I joined the rebellion, fought for our freedom. But freedom comes with its own challenges, its own fears. It's a constant struggle, but I wouldn't have it any other way. At least now, I have a voice. She looked out the window, her mind filled with memories of battles fought and friends lost. Things in Starkhaven had been going well, it was led by people who wanted to keep the changes that had been made the last thirteen years, people she trusted, a leader she believed in. She decided at that moment, at least until she knew if she could truly trust Tiberius, that if he asked why she hadn’t gone home until recently, that it was because she was in Starkhaven helping to foster and keep the changes there, to do the important work where she was appreciated and felt safe.