Dalish mages certainly didn't have the strict regimen of the Circle, but neither did they have access to all those books on spells and magical theory, nor the same lessons a mage in a Tower learned.

Her gaze lifts, and it's clear his words have had an effect on her. She presses her lips together and looks away, eyes glistening in the firelight coming from the forge.

"Ma serannas. I-- I've always wanted more. To be more." She shifts in her chair and forces a laugh, pressing the back of her hand under her nose for a moment. "Sorry. Finding such kindness here means so much to me. Just the other day, a city elf said she admired me, and it just feels so good to know that the stories people tell aren't always true. Not all humans hate elves. Not all city elves resent the Dalish. It's been wonderful."