"Kinloch Hold, Kirkwall- there were signs. We ignored them." Of course the Marcher and the Fereldan circles fell. Of course they would falter- what did they know of discipline, of order? What did they know of the risks that might come of mages truly being free? They did not spend half as much time dealing with the aftermath of the Imperium's grasp. The Spire would hold. That's what they all thought- The Spire would hold. "We met again- what was left of us in Andoral's reach. Argued and debated about going back. Turning ourselves in or standing firm. The loyalists- well. They argued their side. The Isolationists wished to be left be. The rest wished for freedom. I- only wished that the apprentices and those too young that had survived the one battle would not have to endure a third. Do you know why I was so reluctant to be on the Council, Korrin? I had a chance, then, to speak. To say something, to do something. It was my right as an Enchanter. One voice among many but- a voice none the less."

Adelaide swallows back a knot of outdated self disgust. "Faith in the system shattered the Spire. My faith that the College of Magi a Andoral's reach left me silent. I did not expect there to be a second battle. And yet there was, and I did nothing more than hide with what apprentices I could find that were too young to have an opinion, too young to be asked what they might want or to understand why this was happening."