She nodded in response to the question, glancing over at the dancing flames of the fire, smiling lightly into them before looking back at her companion. "Yes. They were so helpful even though they had a much larger threat to deal with. I want to help in the same way," she said with a nod, recalling all the things that made her want to do this. Recalling them all, unfortunately, brought back the memories of her mother and her face went a bit somber.
"My mother, Maker rest her soul, also helped in the decision," she answered, looking back at him. She took a deep breath, contimplating whether or not she wanted to go into this story. For the most part, everyone in Redcliffe already knew about what happened to her mother and she'd never had to retell the story. This would be the first time she'd told anyone what happened in detail since the accident.
"When I was younger, about eighteen, my brother and I accompanied my mother down to the waterfront to wash clothes. While we sparred nearby, some bandits took her hostage and demanded money. I gave them all I had, for my mother and brother had none, but it wasn't enough for them... so I attacked. They were expecting any kind of resistance and ran, but when they'd let go of my mother..." she stopped midsentence as her memories of that day took over her emotions. She looked away from the man for a moment, trying to regain her composure.
Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand she turned back to him and finished. "She couldn't catch herself when they dropped her and she struck her head on a rock. She died in my brother's arms. After that I didn't feel like doing anything. Even getting up in the morning was a chore I'd rather not have done. My mother's last words to my brother, which he shared with me, was the only thing that brought me out of that sad state... and they're the only reason I'm in the guard today," she finished with a soft smile, trying to reassure herself more than anything that she was going to be fine. Telling the story had been difficult for her, but she'd done it.
"What about you? What made you want to be a traveller?" she asked, turning the question around on him.