[ Astarion sighs, glancing up at the cloudless sky. ]

If I am to return home one day, then I will have to deal with Cazador. [ He narrows his eyes. ] He plans for me and my siblings to be sacrificed in some devil's contract for power. An ascension paid in blood that will make him the most powerful vampire lord the realm has ever seen.

[ Maybe this triggers memories of conversation during their time together in the alternate history, of the scars carved into Astarion's back by his master - the contract written on flesh. ]

With the help of my erstwhile companions, I had planned to take the ritual for myself. Ascend in his place.

[ Take all that power for himself, so that no one would ever threaten his freedom again. ]