"Pup, what do you know of the old tales?"

Aedan looked at his father as the pair walked through the streets of Highever, the people bowing to the Teyrn and his son as they passed, the sounds of "My Lord" and "Master Aedan" constantly repeating in the boy's ears. His father stood as tall as he ever did, his dark brown hair streaked with slivers of silvery hair, the faint outline of a close beard wrapping it's way around his chin.

"Only what Nan told me, Father. I think "The Hound that Bit" is the only one she knows."

"Probably, but don't let her or your mother hear that I said that. But it also contains a valuable lesson, doesn't it? Respect everyone, no matter their rank or place in life. A good thing to remember, wouldn't you say Aedan?"As his father tried to impart a lesson he had heard since he was in swaddling clothes, Aedan looked around the market, and caught sight of a young Elven girl across the square. She seemed the same age, no more then thirteen, her blonde hair pulled behind her head in a ponytail. Even across the square, Aedan could see the girl had the clearest blue eyes he had ever seen. As he looked at her, the girl caught sight of Aedan, and shyly smiling as she waved to him. Almost puzzled, Aedan returned the smile and wave, before the girl ran after her grandmother.

"Aedan?" His father's voice called to him, the boy realising he had stopped in the middle of the street.

Running to his father, Aedan saw a quizzical look in the Teyrn's eyes. "Yes, Father?"

"The lesson, what do you think?"

There was only one answer he could give, and the only one that ever made sense to him. "That we only rule this land because the people we serve allow us to do so."

Bryce smiled at his son, and waved him to join him, placing his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Good boy, and if we have time after this, you can talk to the girl. Her grandparents are good people, I know them well."

As they walked, Aedan heard his father breathe deeply, a wistful look in his eyes. His father never spoke of his own childhood, all Aedan could understand was that he had grown up during the Orlesian occupation of Fereldan, and Highever fought long and hard against the invaders. "I always love the market, don't you? The bustle of the people, the smells in the air, the traders selling their wares, the farmers their crops. Always so chaotic, but also, so calm as well." Eventually the pair reached the outskirts of the town, and Bryce paused before one of the larger farmsteads. "Ah, here we are."

An Elf walked out of the home, smiling as he approached, his hand outstretched. He was in his fifties, his white hair cut close to his head, contrasting the healthy tan a life of farming had granted him. As Bryce shook his hand, the Elf nodded to him, and to Aedan. He spoke, a gruff voice, respectful, but also stern enough that Aedan paid attention. "Greetings my lord, Master Aedan."

"Hello Coran, how are you, my friend? And you're family? Is your granddaughter settling in alright?" Bryce nudged Aedan in front of him, the boy a little shy to speak. "Pup, say hello."

"Hello mister Coran, Ser."

"I am well my lord. Mera is fine, though she misses her parents, Maker hold them close. In fact she and my wife are at the market now."

"That is good, and please, my friend, let me know if there is anything I can do."

"My thanks, my lord. They should be up and about now, if you and Master Aedan wish to see them."

Bryce glanced down at Aedan, and ruffled his son's hair. "Yes. That sounds like an excellent idea. And I keep telling you to call me Bryce, we've known each other for nearly twenty years."

"Force of habit, my Lord. They are in the barn, I'll take you to them now."

As they made their way to the barn, Aedan tried to hear what the two men were discussing, but was unable to hear anything but snippets of a conversation, "and they are sixteen weeks old?" and "Yes, one of the oldest bloodlines". Stopping before the barn, Bryce turned to his son, whispering to Aedan so as not to disturb whatever was in there. "Now pup, be careful when you go into the barn. There are some guests in there who are quite young, are not used to noise, and who might tire very easily. Do you understand?"

"Yes father."

Bryce smiled and nodded to Coran, the Elf opening the door, and let the young boy pass by. As he entered, Aedan struggled to see in the darkness, having at first feel his way past the pillars and farm tools. It was then that he heard it, or rather, them. As his eyes adjusted to the dark, Aedan began to make out a shape before him, several smaller shapes running around it, yapping, tumbling over each other. The smaller shapes stopped, now picking up a new scent, and ran towards Aedan, the Mabari pups excited to see the boy.

Aedan laughed as the pups scampered around him, one pawing at his legs, almost begging to be picked up. Granting it's desire, Aedan picked up the pup, holding it close to him, rewarded by an enthusiastic lick to the face from the young hound.

"It is our gift to you Master Aedan, any one of the pups as a companion." Coran walked by Aedan, kneeling by the mother, the hound licking the Elf's hand.

Barely able to contain his excitement, Aedan looked at his father, Bryce nodding in agreement. "Really? For me? Thank you Coran, Ser! Thank you!" The pup in his hands barked excitedly as Aedan gently rubbing it behind it's ears. "I like this one."

Coran looked the Mabari in the boy's hand, and offered a cautionary smile. "Oh, be careful of that one, he can be a right beast at feeding time."

"A beast?" Aedan laughed as the pup yawned, exhausted by the excitement. "Yes, I like that name. I'm going to call you Beast. Do you like that?"