The Herald was what Dorian knew, how that story went in general - but this was Lavellan's own story, more personal. He remembered back to all of that, and it felt like so long ago - being outside of the glory of Tevinter, traveling away from his home. Packing what belongings he could manage to bring and making the trek, equipped with his fire staff and a sense of purpose, yet weighted by loneliness and a nagging feeling of self-doubt; the Herald had to be told about the Venatori's interest in that mark of his.
The cause was pressing, it was a dark time for everyone and promised more darkness if they didn't put aside all their differences. There were many political issues that plagued the whole of Thedas, and those didn't go away simply because the Inquisition came together - but they all walked away from it changed, having grown quite a bit.
"Then I won't tell anyone either," he promised, and he reached out first - tentatively, to stroke Lavellan's cheek. "I don't think you can be blamed for protecting yourself."