Judy -thank you again guest- thanks for the comment... I had to translate... Interesting More? which is how Google translated it - here is more


The hound on the other hand decided that wasn't going to be his dinner. He whined and shook his head as if trying to get water out of his coat. Frustrated I told him if he could do better, I'd like to see it.

Twenty minutes later I am dressing or trying to dress the charred rabbit and the dog struts into camp dropping a mouthful of rabbits at my feet.

I huff in annoyance and turn quizzically at the sound coming from across the fire. His Majesty is laughing so hard he is gasping for air. Of course, the man would sleep through my heroic saving of his life and be awake for the mutilation of his dinner. And subsequent humiliation by a hound.

"Fade take both of you," I snapped angrily.

The mabari cringed, flattened his ears and whined.

"Oh I am sorry, boy. I wasn't truly angry at you. Just that you could hunt better than I could. Thank you for the gift. You are a mighty hunter and your kills are in splendid shape.

He leans forward barks happily and butts his head into my sore hip. I put a hand on his large head and scratch between his black ears. Which satisfies him. It's now I realize he is the hound I helped when I first arrived at Ostagar.

"Fade take you. Is that a mage thing? I've never been cursed at about the fade. We are led to believe it is too scary of a place to be mentioned outside of a circle." Cailan said his voice getting stronger the more he talked.

I picked up the three rabbits by the ears and tossed the largest one to the hound who'd laid at the king's feet.

"More or less. It's safe from the wrath of the Chantry." I grinned weakly.

"The Revered Mother at the tower used to get angry when the Templars would swear using Andraste's name or the Maker's. She felt it was a sin and disrespectful.

The Templars got away with it because the Knight Commander wasn't about to let a priest tell him how to discipline his men. The First Enchanter who tried to keep the peace allowed the priest to set punishments. As my teacher was the First Enchanter, I was made an example out of. My sentence was to recite the entire chant three times.

The Knight Commander felt sorry for me and the first Templar using Andraste's sword was stuck teaching me the lines of the chant. When I was done, I had more respect for Cullen Rutherford's patience and faith than the Priest."

"Here let me do that. We want rabbit to eat. And I saw how badly you mangled what was left of the last two." Cailan said standing and walking across our makeshift camp.

With a disgusted sound I shrug and pass him the obsidian dagger and the rabbits. I acted if I didn't appreciate the help but really this outdoor stuff was not one of my strengths. I longed for the tower walls and soft beds even with all the Templars.

I plunged my hands into the blow of water and sand I used to clean up after my first try. The water wasn't particularly bad even with the blood and guts from before. "Can you? Doesn't the king have servant who do that for him."

He grinned good naturedly slicing without hesitation into the rabbit. "Have you known a king who can't hunt? The first rule of hunting is skinning and dressing the kill. Or only hunt what you can eat. I don't remember which of them is first or second."

I find myself smiling as well as I look at him. His color is coming back. He will probably be completely healed once we get a good meal in him. But I can still see the shadow of haunt in his eyes and the sunken checks beneath the golden beard that has grown out from the stubble.

"No Ser. But since you're the first King I've ever met," I taunt.

Cailan shakes his head as he deftly debones the game the Mabari hunted. He wasn't sure what to do with the skin, fur and other bits that didn't go into the pot. Back at the castle the pieces were used to train the litters. "What is your mabari's name?

I yawn as I try to make myself a little more comfortable. The dog has come over and sat down beside me. All I need to do is lean and I have a head and back rest. "I don't know. His previous master was killed in a skirmish and he had become ill. While I was in the wilds, I was able to find a flower that helped him get better. I was supposed to talk to the kennel master about imprinting after the battle."

Sounds like he knew you were responsible for saving him and he chose you. So it's up to you to name him."

"I don't know. His last master…"

"Is dead and you can't call him dog or boy."

"Oh. You make a good point. It would be too much like calling you king. What did you name your first hound?"

"Snuffles."

I opened my eyes and measured him trying to figure out if he was teasing me or did, he really name the poor beast that. I guessed it couldn't be any worse than the tabby in the tower known as Mouser. "Okay but that fellow needs some more noble than snuffles. What about King or Prince?"

I laughed when I saw the expression on his face. "Wait. I know if he can't be a King, he can be a Teyrn. He is noble enough. He took care of us, found food, and came to our rescue."

'Agreed. So, what is he Teyrn of?"

I yawn again my eyes closing and I mumble "Of Ferelden… all of it."

Cailan looked at the hound propping the sleeping mage up and shook his head. "You do understand boy. A King of Ferelden is nothing more than a Teyrn that all the other Banns, Arls and Teyrns agree to serve right? Just so you know you can't have the throne."

Teyrn barked in agreement softly so as not to wake his new mistress.