Oh, Rhys had anticipated that question. It was something he had thought about in the years following the Sewer. But he hadn't actually expected to ever tell Cole directly. He should have.

"Because I believe everyone should have as much freedom as they can. That's why I voted that the mages should fight the Templars. It'd be a bit hypocritical if I said the mages deserve freedom and you don't."

But it was far more complex than that. Those words were just the easiest to voice.