"I could never live in a cage," is his quiet answer. And if the choice is to cage him for what he's done, he doesn't know that he can take that. Better to die. For him, at least. Some thrive in captivity, with the lack of responsibility and choices. He can't understand them. And it doesn't matter. Let them go be captive as they'd like, so long as they don't drag the rest of the mages down with them.

"The world's such a large place. To be held in one building for the rest of one's life... It's unacceptable." His lips tighten and his expression goes wry. "Except for criminals. And that's justice." How can they insist on it for mages and hope to skip it themselves? This is a mess. He's made it, he has only himself to blame, but it's a mess anyway.

"So let's explore while the option's still there." He tilts his head toward the island, ready to resume moving if Nathaniel is.