Chapter Twenty-Eight

Storm and Charger

We got back to Redcliffe with no more fuss… and yes, Alistair gave me not one, but two marks for Eamon to get a good look at – one on either side of my neck.

Even Morrigan had been amused by the primal show of dominance – and she loathed Alistair… which was funny, because I was like 75% sure my mate was going to be sleeping with the witch at least once… not that I had told anyone. Thankfully, Alistair didn't get a vision of that – his visions seem to revolve more around Darkspawn movements and food.

Eamon saw my neck and narrowed his eyes, "I take it you have fulfilled all the treaties?"

"This is Eadrek Nevvin – of House Ara from Orzammar. He is our Dwarven Emissary."

Teagan choked on the water he was drinking – it came out his nose while Isolde sneered, "House Ara?"

Eadrek jumped to my defense, "It is my distinguished honor to have been named to the Paragons' house. She did so much for the Dwarves of Orzammar and she is officially our first on-Dwarven Paragon. This is my house sister, Natia Brosca; sister to the Queen-in-Waiting, Rica Brosca, also from house Ara. As a…"

I nudged Eadrek – he had been about to out me as royalty. He nodded and said, "As a Paragon, she of course earned more to the treaty than was written – she will be granted the finest warriors to fight with her, Golems will join the forces, and our smithing caste is hard at work to make proper weapons and armor to outfit the forces. She even managed to get the Legion of the Dead to come topside to aid in the fights… they never leave the Deep Roads."

Eamon blinked in shock – he didn't expect me to be the one who got praises sung. I smiled, "Aedan and Alistair did quite a bit of the leading while we were in the Deep Roads."

"Only in the Deep Roads," Aedan smirked. I shot him a look, "T-that isn't true… Alistair was the one to grant permission for us to enter the Provings! And I left him in charge of the negotiations with the Shaper…"

Alistair snorted, "Yet you only took 1600 Sovereigns for that first payment. I know all that was listed was worth almost double that."

"… They still paid me another 4500 for all the stuff I brought back from the Deep Roads – including the 47 Golems even though that was Caridin…"

"But you were the one to stop Caridin from jumping into the Lava so he could bring those Golems in, Paragon. 47 Golems… one golem would be worth 100 Sovereigns alone. You got cheated," Eadrek snorted.

I flushed, "I… it's not a big deal – it was Dwarven history that they needed and I was more paid for bringing back Caridin, not the Golems…"

"Remind me how much you've earned since the start of the Blight, my love?" Alistair looked amused.

"Since you asked… 7363 sovereigns give or take a few. Then I paid out more than… 15 to your 'sister' – the bitch, Goldanna – 10 to Kaitlyn, 5 to Bella, and buying various rations… so rounding down, I have about 7300?"

Eamon stumbled to a chair and Isolde looked faint.

She asked, "H-how did you… get so much?"

"Well – as we stated, the Shaperate in Orzammar contributed to most of that with a round 6100 royals. 124.5 From Loghain, 13.5 from you, 800 from the Pearl in Denerim and 325 from Kinlock Hold. I admit only the Shaperate paid me for something other than soap… I floated them a few invention ideas and the retrieved history and golems…"

Teagan straightened and said, "I suppose we figured out how you were accepted into a noble family so easily. You are quite the Entrepreneur."

I chuckled, "I am more of a Tycoon at this point, Teagan. That means I am a wealthy, powerful person in business or industry."

"So you are. I do believe you've more than earned the right to be called by your title here, in Ferelden. With how rich you are, no one will gainsay it – not to your face at any rate."

I chuckled at his grin, "I doubt people wish to call me Princess, Bann Teagan – so until such a time as my people catch up to me, I will continue to remain unimportant."

Isolde sneered, "A Princess? I do not believe it!"

I shrugged, "Thank you, Arlessa – for proving my point in the matter. As I said, I will remain unimportant for the time being."

Teagan laughed at Isoldes red face and said, "I suppose this means there is no investment opportunity for your Soap shop?" I could tell that none of the three really believed I was a princess, so… joke was on them, I guess.

Eamons' head whipped up to glare at his brother – he didn't want Teagan encouraging me. I smiled, "We shall see – if I decide to open such a buissness, I will let you know. Oh… Arl Eamon I figured I should inform you that the Arlessa can bare you another child – a girl, but still a child."

Alistairs' eyes snapped to look at me. They all knew I wasn't going to tell Eamon before – so what had changed. Eamon went still, "She can?"

Isolde actually looked a bit hopeful, "I can?"

I nodded, "Yes – you can bare another child in the coming years – but…"

Eamon stood swiftly, "But what?"

"She would also be mage – just as your son is a mage, so to would your daughter be," I gave a pitiful sigh.

Isolde and Eamon exchanged looks – they didn't believe the child would be a mage, but they were very willing to try. Alistair put his arms around me from behind and leaned down to 'nuzzle' my ear, "What are you playing at?" he whispered.

I squirmed to turn toward him and whispered, "If they're busy trying for that kid, they won't be bugging us about marriage and my being your lover."

He chuckled deeply, "That's fair…"

Eamon cleared his throat, "I hope you don't plan to be so… affectionate in Denerim… at least not until after the Landsmeet."

I turned toward him and smiled, "I'm already well known in Denerim – I did make a fortune seeing the new signature scent of the Pearl, after all. And several noble women – including Queen Anora – know I am a noble woman from another land and have even bought or sampled my scents. Lady Sophie began spreading the word before I even left the city. We can tone down the affection, but there is no point – I'm respected enough to gain an invite to the Landsmeet on my own standing."

Alistair nodded, "30 Royals says she gets that invite from Loghain himself not long after we enter the city." I had seen the flash of his eyes – he'd had a vision. Royals were silver coins.

Eamon sneered, "If Loghain invites her then I will personally pay the 30 Sovereigns from my own pocket."

The whole group was looking between each other with varying looks of amusement – I wasn't the only one to notice his eyes flashing. Morrigan rolled her eyes but didn't even bother commenting. I felt a delivery in my bag and pulled it out. Alistair glanced at it curiously – elegant script that indicated it was from Magma – via Lady Iris.

I noticed Eamon, Teagan and Isolde looking confused as I pulled out a sheet of thin paper – Thedas used vellum after all – and looked at it as though I'd never seen it before… I mean, I hadn't so…

'Princess Arvaala,

We have arrived in this newer land for searching but… we're almost positive you aren't here. The races that inhabit this land are not exactly compatible for mating with – and you mentioned you have a mate… at least the one.

Though you have yet to give us our Princes' name, I must assume he is a Primary mate – as you seem to have lost all memories upon waking in this world, you would not have known how to take a secondary – and this means that he must be compatible. The only logical conclusion we can come to is that you are not in this… place.

Really – Scaled serpentine creatures and giant dragon-like men… there is little doubt in my mind that you aren't here… that leave only one land mass – the one called Thedas.

Hopefully this means we will see you soon. In all honesty, we have already left for the closest point on the map – I believe the inhabitants call it Rivain? Well – it is the closest to the area we are departing from.

If luck is with us, we will be with you before the Queen passes – and thus we will stay your Warriors.

Honor-Captain Magma'

I took a deep breath and handed the paper over to Alistair. He read it and said, "What do you know about those two races mentioned?"

I shrugged, "Mostly just their names and appearance. The first ones are called the 'Scaled Ones' and appear to look something like this…" I sketched out the drawing that could be found in Dragon Ade Inquisition, "They may have been humans at one point in time; humans who consumed too much dragon blood – Reavers from the Pentaghast royal family used to grow scales after consuming dragon blood. As for the others… those are the Kossith – Kossith are the precursors of the Qunari before the foundation of the Qun, though the term itself has since been outdated… and the Qunari no longer look like Kossith did after being away from the Ataashi for so long – the Dragons. The Kossith – from what I can gather – are much taller, worship dragons and don't look much like Sten here."

"I'm sorry… what's going on here?"

I cleared my throat, "Forgive me Teagan – this bag is connected to a Warehouse in my homelands. Through it, I can receive messages as mu Honor Guard search for me. The honor guard also has a similar bag, it seems – because they send updates to the warehouse and a Lady Iris sends them on to me."

"Why not just tell your guards where you are?" Eamon looked genuinely confused.

Alistair cleared his throat, "As guards they must prove their worth to guard her by finding her themselves before a specific event occurs. They do have a magic link – if she feels true terror, they will be able to find her at once – her safety is the number one priority. But while she is 'safe' they will simply look for her."

I had pulled out a sheet of paper and a pen while Alistair spoke and went over to a table to write a reply. Alistair had followed curiously – he wanted to know what I would say.

'Maggie – or Mag – which names do you prefer?

My first – and so far only – mate is named Alistair Theirin. He is about to be… well, I can't tell you because it would count as telling you where I am. Names can be big clues here in Thedas. If someone has a last name, it's generally distinctive.

I am glad to hear you are in Thedas – because that means I can confirm that you're getting closer.

You can stop being so stiff and formal, you know. I'm not going to get mad if you call me Ara – in fact, I prefer it… make it an order; call me Ara. And since it seems we Fae have pointed ears, I will warn you to be careful – elves aren't treated so well in Thedas and at one point, they were slaves. On that note… really don't call me Princess until I go public as one – no one will believe it anyway.

Alistair says hi and that he hopes you catch up sooner rather than later – we will be in a rather large fight very soon and he hopes you make it to protect me during that. I actually get the feeling you won't – but he holds my powers so I don't know for sure.

Much love and good luck,

ARA COUSLAND'

Alistair laughed, "That letter is stuffed with hints and bread crumbs – if he can't figure that out, I will personally replace him with someone else. Really – two last names after saying that last names are distinctive. Telling him there will be a big fight… and you even prodded his pride by saying you doubt he'll be here in time! Even I can pick up on all of that."

Eamon actually snorted, "Why didn't you give those hints before?"

I rolled my eyes before addressing the letter and sticking it in my bag, "Because he wasn't in a place that they would make sense. The last name hint – he was in a land that didn't have them as far as I know – and before that, I had given him a hint that I wasn't in the homeland by sending something with a Grey Warden symbol on it – and since there are no Darkspawn or Grey Wardens in our lands, he reasonably deduced that I wasn't in our lands at all. Hints are useless if the person on the other end doesn't have enough information to use them, Arl Eamon. For example – I could tell you my guard-captains' name, but without knowing more about us, you won't figure out why his name is what it is."

Teagan nodded, "If I didn't know Kaitlyn and you told me to keep an eye out for her, I wouldn't have known who to look for – given that you also informed me why I should keep an eye out for her, it wasn't a hint, but the point remains."

Alistair pulled me closer to him when he saw the glare that Eamon was directing at me – I pretended not to notice Eamons' ire and instead focused on my mate, "I can tell Mag wants to meet you – badly. Most in your position – the uh… brace thing – would relish it. That you don't has left a good impression on my captain."

He shook his head and kissed my cheek. I had to tilt my head so that he could do that – and this fully exposed the second hickey – Eamon had only seen one but now…

Aedan grumbled, "Alistair…" in warning.

I felt a protective instinct and shot glare at Aedan. Alistair was mine – where did he get off on scolding my mate?

Aedan blinked at the glare but gave me one in return, "I don't want to see this – I see you as a little sister – who cares if you're older than me?"

Sten rumbled, "Age does not equate to leadership abilities – if it did, then the Bas-Saarebas would be leading us."

Wynne frowned, "I am not that old, Sten."

I piped up, "Oghren is older than she is – would you really want the drunk leading us?"

Oghren snorted but said, "Don't put this on me; I wouldn't lead if you offered me free beer for life."

Aedan sighed, "I'm glad to hear that Oghren. But Ara – the fact that I see you as a sister… I don't need to see the lovey stuff – at all."

I shrugged, "Then don't look – you know how possessive Alistair gets when other… men look at me. Keep it up and he won't care that you claim kinship; he'll challenge you."

Alistair gave a sharp nod to Aedan who lowered his eyes, "I suppose you have a point. Maker, if he had been wearing that brace when we arrived at Orzammar then we wouldn't have Eadrek with us… we'd have had to bury the poor blighter."

Eadrek laughed, "I doubt it actually – see, even then Alistair could tell that my flirting was just to flirt. Even if she is a paragon now, I wouldn't uh… I prefer Dwarven women… like most dwarves, actually – with us having such low birth rates, none other than a surface Dwarf would attempt to uh… be with a topsider or really anything other than a Dwarf."

I was so amused by him trying to explain his whole races' aversion to humans, elves and Qunari. I chuckled, "Believe me, I get it – the best way to avoid extinction is to continue to breed within kind. Dalish elves actively exile any of their kind that breed or mate with humans. The Qun doesn't allow inter-breeding either. Even most humans look down on it. I actually have no problems with it at all – one of my best friends is an Elf-blooded human after all and I adore him – but most of the people in these lands look down on it heavily."

Alistair caught on to him being the Elf-Blooded human and gave me an affectionate squeeze. Eamon gave me a droll look, "And you would want Alistairs' children of course. We all know half elves look human…"

"I uh – about that…" I gave a nervous laugh. Should I tell him I wasn't an elf? I trusted Teagan and I had already spelled not to tell anyone else about me… this could be a perfect test about how it would go later…

I looked at the guards, "Leave us."

They saluted and left – Eamon glared, "What are you playing at? And I did not dismiss them!"

"You named us Heros' of Redcliffe – and we personally saved those men so they trust us. What I am about to tell you is Classified. Meaning it is so secret that you are not allowed to tell anyone else… not that they'd believe you if you tried of course – it is rather insane."

Teagan – willing to believe more than Eamon or Isolde – spoke up, "You have my word, my lady."

Alistair snorted, "No really – you can't tell anyone. You're all cursed to not say anything about her to anyone else. It's why you couldn't tell the Templars when they were here that she had magic Arlessa."

Isolde flushed and glared at me – she was now more pissed than ever. Eamons' jaw went slack and Teagan shrugged, "I suppose that sort of unique magic has something to do with what you are?"

I let out my wings with a small smile, "I'm a Fairy Princess. Seriously, I'm not an elf – I'm a fairy. In fact, Fairies are a type of Sylph," I continued explaining as Alistair pulled me into his lap while sitting at one of the chairs around the table. I left out the part about mates and Alistair having my magic.

Teagan said, "So… You're actually a Princess…?"

I nodded, "So it seems. Look, Eamon, I really have no longing to take the Ferelden Throne – I hardly have a longing to take the Fairy throne. I was never one for politics – I'm more of a… get down and dirty kind of gal – I like to do things not sit on my ass and lead from a chair."

Eamon looked contemplative, "So you ran away from your homelands?"

I blinked, "Uh… well, no – I didn't run away. I was taken from my homelands through a traditional ritual… hence why my guards must find me."

Isolde looked instantly more welcoming knowing I was royalty; go figure. Eamon sighed, "And you can't tell a lie? How did you fool the Templars into thinking you aren't a mage?"

"Because I'm not a mage – my abilities don't stem from the Fade; they stem from nature itself. I can control the elements and when I'm at full strength, I can do amazing things like the musical instruments playing themselves or even changing clothes in battle. I would also be able to feel the emotions of those around me. I have quite a few abilities when at full strength – the wings being just one of them."

Teagan looked thoughtful, "So… you being Alistairs' mistress could actually secure a powerful alliance for Ferelden?"

"I'll be the Queen within 5 years, so… yes, and from what I know it would be a very powerful alliance. They're able to make many nice things and have such powerful magics that aren't connected to the Fade. Also we're quite long-lived…"

Interest lit Eamons' face in a way that I regretted saying anything, "How long-lived?"

"… Long enough, Eamon," Alistair said. Aedan said, "You know, I think it's time to sleep if we're going to march on Denerim tomorrow."

Sten stood and said, "A fine idea – this line of conversation has gotten repetitive."

Morrigan nodded and before I could do anything more than fold away my wings, I was lifted into Alistairs' arms and he took me to the room we had used last time we were here. I could see servants and guards smiling and giving us sweet looks – they found it cute, thankfully.

The next morning, we walked into the dining room to hear Teagan and Eamon arguing.

"You plan to give Alistair a horse – she should get one too, Eamon!"

"She's his mistress – I know she's… got some special circumstances, but that doesn't change that we're trying to keep her hidden before the Landsmeet!"

I spoke, "Actually – about that… when we get close enough to Denerim, I will be taking Leliana ahead with me and Sten as my hired Mercenary. Recall, you and Alistair have a bet – sure, I would be the one picking up the tab if he lost, but the bet is yours. If Loghain is going to get a chance to invite me, I need to be outside your group. If we're really lucky, he could invite me to stay at his place as his guest – I could get a lot of information that way, but it isn't likely to happen."

Eamons' face turned bitter, "So you want a horse…"

"If it helps, I can afford to pay Master Dennet for a horse," I gave a sly look to Teagan. Offering to pay would hurt Eamons' pride and make the guards around us think him petty if he took me up on it.

Eamon, seeing the trap laid before him, said, "There's no need for that, of course, Lady Anderson…"

I smiled, "Then I will have to trouble you – thank you, Arl Eamon."

He gave a grieved sigh, causing Alistair to snigger softly as he held my hand and we all headed for the stables.

I greeted Master Dennet on sight – he recognized me from the tales the people were telling about the Battle of Redcliffe. The man was 5'11 with dark skin and balding black hair – I knew that in 10 years he would be completely bald with only a white beard and eyebrows. His eyes were a very pretty brown and his wife Elaina – 5'8 with pretty black hair and paler skin and blue eyes – looked at me curiously as people treated me as the most important person in the group. Their daughter, Seanna, was only 8 or 9 at this time but she was a perfect blend of her parents.

I smiled, "Greetings Horse-Master Dennet. My name is Lady Arvaala Anderson and we require a few horses if it isn't too much trouble."

He looked at me with a tilt of his head, "You know me?"

"Through tales mostly – Alistair speaks fondly of you for teaching him to ride."

Dennet glanced at Alistair with a small smile, "I teach all the kids to ride, but it's nice to hear I'm remembered. Alright, how many horses are we getting?"

"Alistair and I both need a horse – Eamon and his family will be using a carriage. I will also be paying for an additional horse for Sister Leliana Nightingale here and one for Lord Cousland."

Aedan and Leli both looked embarrassed.

We all headed into the stables before anything else could be said.

Alistairs' eye was drawn to an Amaranthine Charger – he was a black stallion. Dennet chuckled, "That's Charger – he's pretty tame but he likes to move rather fast; hence the name… he seems to like you, Alistair."

It was true – Charger was neighing and straining against the gate to get to Alistair. I shoved my husband toward the horse – and because he wasn't expecting it, he stumbled toward Charger.

He began petting the stallion with a small smile, "I guess I'll take you then…"

Leliana was cooing at an Anderfel Courser Stallion – he was honey gold and snow white in color. Anderfel Coursers – if I remembered right – were originally bred for the Grey Wardens. Dennet laughed, "That would be Stomper – he likes to stomp his right front hoof… a lot… he's 180 royals." I pulled out 2 Sovereigns and passed them over – paying for the horse equipment too.

Aedan found an Orlesian Courser mare – really? I think Aedan and Leliana got mixed up a bit… the mare was white and grey with fading colors – like she was supposed to be grey but ran out of ink in the printer… she was 285 royals and I again rounded up for the equipment.

We were informed that her name was Silverite… what was with these names? They were horrible – imagine a kid named after a repetitive habit or coloring… I was now certain that Elaina named the daughter, not Dennet.

But I couldn't find a horse that I liked – most clamored to get to me, tough. I had learned that all animals would like me simply due to the aura I exuded as a Royal Fairy or 'Vessel' as the heirs were called… until I heard a distressed nicker coming from the final stall on the right. I quickened my pace – and Dennet was right on my heels.

I swore I could hear this horses thoughts as Isolde attempted to get close to her. Isolde looked confused when the horse settled the minute I was close and looked at me with soulful eyes.

I held up a hand which the beautiful albino mare instantly nuzzled as though looking for comfort. Dennet whistled, "I've had her for about 2 years now – I'm the only one she lets care for her, but she won't let anyone ride her… at least until now. Her name is Grace – she's an Imperial Warmblood. Imposing Horses, and like Mabari they make life-long attachments. Back in the Tevinter Imperium they were reserved for royalty or nobility – explains the name. She only came into maturity this year though and we've been trying to get her to accept the Arlessa."

I snorted, "Okay, one; she hates the name – look how it makes her tense whenever you say it; Two; if she hasn't accepted the Arlessa by now then she isn't going to… period. And it looks as though she's claimed me at this point."

I turned to the horse just in time to see Isolde attempting to get closer to the now 'calm' horse. Well, the mare did not like that and began backing away getting nervous. I softly said, "Hey now, girl… shhh… you are a strong girl, aren't you? You're a Storm – and that's what you should be called, hmm? Storm," she nickered and nodded – she understood a bit at least.

Isolde gave me a foul look, "She was supposed to be mine…"

I shrugged, "It is not up to me who she chooses, Arlessa. How much did she cost you Dennet? I'll pay for her since I'm taking one that is no doubt the most expensive."

Dennet flushed, "She was one I got into a bidding war for – the standard price is 1200 royals but I paid 3000 royals…"

I pulled out 35 sovereigns, "I'll also take the finest saddle you can give me, a nice saddle blanket, a Grooming kit, a tack cleaning kit, a Hackamore – not a Bridle because I don't need a bit to control her – and a riding whip."

"Why do you need a whip?" Alistair asked as he came up. I gave him a completely blank look, "To hit people with."

He nodded like this was a reasonable response, but Dennet started chuckling, "I've been tempted to use them on my apprentice a time or two, myself."

I had paid more than 42 Sovereigns for the horses and tack for us all – Alistair had needed tack too for Charger. Isolde had stormed out while I was getting Storm all tacked up to tattle to Eamon and Teagan. I heard the three of them through the stable walls.

Teagan shouted, "They imprint, Isolde. Lady Anderson could no more pick the horse than you could – it's like getting a Mabari. If you don't raise them with the right scent, it isn't going to work if you want them to take a specific person – you know that."

"She shouldn't have gotten close to Grace – that was Isoldes' horse, Teagan," Eamon injected.

"From what Dennet just said, she paid back everything that went into getting the mare paid double the proper amount for all the tack and calmed the horse when it was going to attack Isolde. You promised her a free horse and she still paid, Eamon – anyone else would have negotiated lower knowing that Imperials imprint. And didn't Dennet say that the horse responded better to storm as a name than Grace?" Teagan argued back.

I rolled my eyes and Alistair hesitantly approached while eyeing Storm. She nickered and nodded to him – allowing him to approach. He smiled brightly and offered her a sugar cube I had procured from my bag. She ate it so graciously that I would swear she was the royal here.

Alistair pulled me into him and kissed me, "I love you."

I giggled, "Goddess, you've been so affectionate since getting to Redcliffe… I love you too."

He leaned in and nuzzled my neck, giving me a little nip, "Seeing all the opposition you face for being with me… I just appreciate you being my wife all the more. I know my feelings have gotten more intense since… Jarvia, but I think it may only be because of my dragon blood intensifying – not your powers changing anything."

I smiled, "That's very possible – according to that book Magma sent, Dragons mate for life. Your Dragon blood may very well be part of the reason you refuse to take another mate in the future… but I will need to ask you to… sleep with at least one other woman… just once…"

He blinked, "What? Why would you ask me that?"

"To… save lives… You won't want to do it – you really won't want to do it – but I don't want you, Natia or Aedan dying… or Loghain since he's going to be a warden too."

"What… a warden has to die? This isn't related to that thing you were telling me about where you…?"

"No – this is another matter entirely. I actually respect the woman too much to make her sleep with Loghain – who would be the only unattached male in the group of Wardens… though, I have zero doubt that you would make her do it when you find out which woman it is… promise me you will do this… please, Alistair – know you don't want to, and I can't say I blame you cause I won't want to sleep with any man who isn't my mate either. But if I had to in order to save my life for you… I would without a…"

I was cut off by his snarl as he pulled me closer to him and kissed me senseless, "If you will stop talking about taking another male to your bed, I will promise. I can't stand the thought of you with a male who isn't a mate – right now; I only know for sure that Cullen is one of them. I'm not sure how you can stand to ask me this, but if it puts your mind at ease… I will do it. Besides, if it will save my life so that we can have those children you promised me…"

I was panting – he had kissed me so passionately that I was about ready to delay our trip east for another day just to take him back to bed. I sighed, "It will – it really will save the life of you, Aedan, Loghain or Natia… you'll know more about that a bit later, but the point is that it will save you. And if you do this for me, I swear we will have kids within the decade."

He kissed me again, "Then I will do it. Now, it sounds like they're done arguing, so let's head out."

Storm nickered and nibbled at my hair playfully before nodding to her back for me to get up in the saddle. I hopped up into the saddle and directed her out of the stables. Teagan blinked, "That horse… looks very regal."

I patted Storms' neck and she nickered softly, "She really is – and quite sweet too. She likes sugar."

"You gave her Sugar?" Dennet looked amused.

"Sugar is a nice treat – if given sparingly; only about 4 grams of sugar at a time. Horses also like apples cut into slices to avoid the core, Orange peels in small amounts, and ginger snap cookies – again all these are treats and should be used sparingly and not as a regular thing."

Dennet looked thoughtful, "I suppose that explains why whenever Elaina makes cookies or I eat apples that horses love me more. I never made the connection before…"

With that, we all headed out toward Denerim.