34. Horsemaster Dennet

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The road to Dennet's farm wound through increasingly well-tended pastures, though the absence of farmhands was noticeable. The tension grew with each step—where were all the workers? The silence was unnatural for what should have been a bustling horse ranch.

The scent of hay and horses grew stronger as they approached Dennet's sprawling farmstead. The pastures stretched out before them like a patchwork quilt of green and gold, dotted with magnificent horses of every color—chestnuts gleaming like polished copper, dappled grays moving like living storm clouds, and midnight blacks that seemed to absorb the sunlight. Workers moved among them with practiced ease, brushing coats, checking hooves, and leading some of the finest specimens Daniel had ever seen to and from the training rings.

But it wasn't just farmhands they saw. At every gate, every crossroads, stood armed guards in sturdy leather armor, their hands never far from their weapons. The largest concentration guarded an impressive two-story farmhouse with smoke curling from its chimney—clearly the horsemaster's home.

A broad-shouldered man with a neatly trimmed beard and the bearing of authority approached. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, assessed them quickly before he spoke. "You're on Horsemaster Dennet's land. State your business."

Daniel stepped forward, keeping his hands visible. "I'm Daniel, and these are my companions. We're with the Inquisition, here to speak with Horsemaster Dennet about acquiring mounts."

The guard captain's posture relaxed slightly. "Name's Bron. I oversee security here." He jerked his chin toward the main house. "Come on then, I'll take you to the master. Though mind your manners—he's got little patience for fools these days."

As they followed Bron through the bustling farm, Cassandra leaned close to Daniel. "This must be Master Dennet's house," she murmured, eyeing the well-maintained structure with its carved oak door and flower boxes brimming with late-season blooms.

Bron stopped at the porch steps. "Master Dennet's inside. You can go on in—I've got patrols to oversee." With a curt nod, he strode off toward the stables.

The interior of the house was warm and smelled of woodsmoke and leather. Before they'd taken three steps inside, a voice boomed from the hearthside chair that had its back to them.

"So you're the Inquisition, eh?" The chair swiveled to reveal a grizzled man with a close-cropped salt-and-pepper beard and eyes that missed nothing. He stood in one fluid motion, his posture still that of a man half his age. "Hear you're trying to bring order back. It's high time someone did." His gaze traveled over Daniel's staff and the mark on his hand. "Never thought it'd be a halla-rider from the wildlands, though." He extended a calloused hand. "Name's Dennet. I served Arl Eamon for thirty years as horsemaster. I hear your Inquisition is looking for mounts."

Daniel shook the offered hand firmly. "Well met, Master Dennet. I'm Daniel." He glanced around the well-appointed room before asking, "Is there a particular reason you're making me come here to ask in person instead of just sending the horses?"

Dennet barked a laugh and moved to a sideboard to pour drinks. "As a matter of fact, yes." He handed Daniel a tumbler of what proved to be excellent brandy. "I can't just send a hundred of the finest horses in Ferelden down the road like you'd send a letter." His expression darkened. "Every bandit between here and Haven would be on them like flies on crap. You'll have mounts once I know they won't end up as a cold winter's breakfast."

Daniel studied the horsemaster over the rim of his glass. "If you have a problem with me personally, I'd like to know about it."

Dennet's bushy eyebrows shot up. "What? This because I called you a halla-rider?" To everyone's surprise, the gruff man actually chuckled. "Those halla are damned majestic beasts. I'd give my right arm to ride one."

The tension in the room eased considerably. Daniel smiled. "That sounds more than reasonable."

"Glad to hear it." Dennet drained his glass and set it down with a thump. "My wife Elaina manages the farms, and Bron's in charge of my guards. They'll tell you what they need." He gestured toward the window where a stunning chestnut stallion could be seen in a paddock. "Until then, you deserve something better than whatever knock-kneed plow nag they gave you. There's chestnut at the stable, that's a 4 purebred Fereldan forder. Talk to my daughter Seanna at the stables—she'll get you sorted." His gaze turned serious. "Take care of him, and he'll take care of you, Inquisition."

Daniel swirled the brandy in his glass, considering his next words carefully. "You said your wife Elaina is in charge of the farms?" he asked, watching Dennet's reaction closely.

The horsemaster's weathered face softened almost imperceptibly at the mention of his wife. "Aye, that's right." He moved to the window, pointing toward the sprawling fields beyond. "Lots of families work our land. They work for us, and we take care of them." He turned back, his expression turning serious. "Elaina knows the farm better than I do, knows what they need. I imagine not being killed by anything would be a start though."

Varric chuckled at that, but Daniel pressed on. "What can you tell me about the wilderness around here?"

Dennet stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Got some old ruins in the forest, long before any king of Fereldens. The lakes are pretty, though when the weather's odd, you hear tell of spirits." His eyes took on a distant look. "My grandfather used to say the woods remembered the old gods, even if we'd forgotten them." Then he snorted, shaking off the moment. "Beyond that, my daughter Seanna set up a race track just over there. Fool girl likes to race the horses like she's in some Orlesian tournament."

Daniel smiled at the obvious pride beneath Dennet's gruff words. He decided to shift the conversation to more pressing matters. "The refugees down at Crossroads could use your help."

Dennet's expression darkened. "Right now, any food I gave those luckless bastards might as well go to the rebel mages or bandits." He held up a hand to forestall Daniel's protest. "Talk to my man, Bron. He'll tell you what those folks need to protect themselves. Once that's done, I'll give as I can." He fixed Daniel with a steady gaze. "I've no problem with charity, long as it's not wasted."

Nodding in understanding, Daniel asked, "You said you were once Arl Eamon's stablemaster?"

At this, Dennet's chest puffed out slightly. "Master of the mounts," he corrected. "Fereldans don't appreciate horses like they do in Orlais, but they knew my name in Val Royeaux." A note of pride crept into his voice. "My horses took sick less and carried a man longer than any of those fancy prancers they've got." He leaned forward, his tone turning serious. "You take care of my people, and I'll make sure your Inquisition is riding right."

Daniel finished his brandy and stood. "Okay then, Master Dennet. We'll see you after all of it's done. Farewell."

Dennet rose as well, offering a rare smile. "Farewell. Maker watch over you out there, Inquisition."

Just as they reached the door, Dennet's voice boomed across the room. "Hold there!" The horsemaster rummaged through an ornate cabinet, the glassware clinking as he searched. "Ah, here we are." He emerged with a slender bottle of deep amber liquid, its surface catching the firelight. "Take this with you. Consider it a token of... potential partnership."

Daniel accepted the bottle carefully, his fingers tracing the unusual ridges along its surface. The glass felt warm to the touch, as if the contents carried their own heat.

Varric's eyebrows shot up as he peered at the label. "Well, well. Isn't this the Carnal, 8:69 Blessed?" He let out a low whistle. "From the legendary 29 Bottles of Thedas collection? Dennet, you old dog!"

Daniel's interface flickered to life, identifying the bottle:

[Carnal, 8:69 Blessed Obtained]

[Orlesian Liqueur for the daring, or those who wish to seem so. Said to enhance sensation. At the bottom rests an erotically carved peach pit. The design is plain, but the bottler assures that the act of carving was scandalous.]

Dennet's weathered cheeks actually colored slightly. "Got it from an Orlesian trader years back. Never had the occasion to open it." He cleared his throat gruffly. "Figured it might... liven up your camp some evening."

Cassandra made a sound halfway between a cough and a scoff, her own cheeks darkening. Varric, meanwhile, looked like he'd been given the keys to the royal treasury. "Oh, this is going to make for some excellent stories around the fire."

Daniel carefully stowed the bottle in his pack, shooting Varric a warning look. "Thank you, Master Dennet. We'll... enjoy it responsibly."

Dennet waved them off with a chuckle. "See that you do. And remember—that horse is to be ridden, not just admired."

The afternoon sun beat down on the farmlands as Daniel led his companions toward the fields where Dennet's wife Elaina was overseeing the harvest. Rows of workers moved through the crops, their backs bent under the weight of bushels, while armed guards kept watch from the perimeter.

Elaina stood at the edge of a wheat field, her hands planted firmly on her hips as she directed the workers. She turned as they approached, wiping sweat from her brow with a sun-weathered forearm. "I heard what my man said," she called out before they could greet her. Her voice carried the same no-nonsense tone as Dennet's, though tempered with a weary kindness. "If you want our horses, then we need our farmers back safe in their fields."

Daniel approaching the formidable woman with respect. "What's been happening?"

Elaina's mouth tightened. "Since the Breach appeared, the wolves have gone mad." She gestured toward the tree line where several armed guards stood watch. "They come after our men like beasts with the water-sickness. Not just at night—in broad daylight too." Her hands clenched at her sides. "You deal with the wolves, and our farmers will be safe again."

Daniel exchanged glances with Solas before asking, "How are these wolves acting differently from normal?"

"Normal wolves go after livestock," Elaina explained, her eyes dark with memory. "But come at them with a torch and blade, and they run. These beasts though..." She shook her head. "It's like darkspawn during the Blight, or when the dead rose to attack us during the Fifth Blight. They're possessed, or something like it." She fixed Daniel with a piercing stare. "I've lost too many men to the beasts. I won't endanger no more."

Solas stepped forward, his expression thoughtful. "The Breach has undoubtedly affected the local wildlife. We've encountered similar disturbances elsewhere."

Daniel nodded solemnly. "Okay, we'll try to find out what's made them like this and put a stop to it."

Elaina's shoulders relaxed slightly. "Thank you," she said, some of the steel leaving her voice. "And may the Maker watch over you."

As they left Elaina to her work, Cassandra frowned. "Possessed wolves? That doesn't bode well, and it's description match as the same wolves we face before coming here."

Varric adjusted Bianca's strap. "Yeah, because everything else in the Hinterlands has been sunshine and rainbows so far."

Their next stop was the training grounds where Bron was putting a group of guards through their paces. The captain broke away as they approached, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. "Herald," he greeted with a curt nod. "The master doesn't want me handing those refugees weapons until they've got any hope of defending themselves." He gestured toward the distant Crossroads. "If you put up a few watchtowers, we'd all have more warning before the next attack."

Daniel studied the man's face—Bron had the look of someone who'd seen too much fighting and knew exactly how quickly things could go wrong. "You said you had a way to help the refugees with the watchtowers?"

Bron reached into his belt and produced a rolled-up map. "I do." He spread it across a nearby barrel, pointing to several marked locations. "There are too many hills in these parts—good places for raiders and bandits to gather unseen." His finger tapped three strategic points. "I've marked the best spots here, here, and here. You set up watchtowers at these locations, and I'll talk to the master about getting your people weapons."

Daniel examined the map closely. Bron's choices were sound—each position offered clear sightlines to approaching threats while being defensible themselves. "Okay, we'll take the map and try to build the watchtowers as soon as we can."

Bron rolled the map back up and handed it over. "Good. Safe journeys then." He hesitated, then added, "And watch yourself with those wolves. They're not natural."

Varric glanced at the bustling farm. "So let me get this straight—we're now in the business of wolf hunting and tower building?"

Cassandra replied. "If that's what it takes to secure Dennet's support and protect the refugees, then yes."

Solas's eyes were distant, as if listening to something only he could hear. "The wolves trouble me more. If the Breach's influence has spread to the wildlife..."

Daniel mind already working through their next steps. "First go to the stables and meet with Dennet daughter, Seanna. And get the 4 horses Dennet promise them and then second the watchtowers—they'll give the Crossroads some immediate protection. Then we'll deal with these wolves." He glanced at the sky, judging the light. "We should have enough daylight left to scout the first tower location if we get the horses."

Then they went to the stables to meet Dennet daughter, Seanna and get the 4 purebred Fereldan forder horse. As they walk towards the stabel, somewhere in these woods, unnatural wolves hunted. Somewhere along these roads, bandits and rebel mages and rogue templars waited. But with each alliance forged, each problem solved, the Inquisition's foothold in the Hinterlands grew stronger.

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Name : Daniel Carter

Race: Elf

Level 5 : 852/2500 EXP

Professions: Mage

Gold Coins: 1439 Coins

Weapon: Staff of the Dragon

Armor: Light Armor of the Dragon and Templar Scribe Scowl

Accessories: Lifeward Amulet and Belt of Health

Inventory: Acolyte Ice Staff, Morning Star, Stiletto, Hunting Longbow, Fire Resistance Cowl, Mercenary Coat, Acolyte Fire Staff, Disciple Lighting Staff, Apprentice Armor, Qunari Battleaxe, Raider Hatchet, 2 Disciple Fire Staff, Apprentice Mail, Qunari Buckler, Medium Adventure Armor, Mindleech Staff, Soldier's Nemesis, 2 Recruit's Dirk, Reinforced Dagger, Sledgehammer, Disciple Lighting Staff, Apprentice Armor, and Exacting Longbow

Crafting Materials: 34 Elfroot, 62 Iron, 2 Blue Vitriol, 1 Dawn Lotus, 11 Silk, 17 Lambswool, 3 Royal Elfroot, 10 Ram Leather, 23 Drakestone, 3 Fire Essence, 3 Blue Vitriol, 7 Canine Leather, 4 Plaidewaive, 2 Frost Essence, 1 Fade-Touched Iron, 4 Blood Lotus, 5 Embrium, 10 Spindleweed, 13 Onyx, and 3 Ironbarks

Upgrades: Sigil of the Gamordan Stromrider and Sigil of Deathroot

Valuables: 3 Aquamarine, Silver Bracelet, 2 Figurine of Maferath the Betrayer, 2 Shadow Essence,

Gurn Gallstone Charm, Braid of Rank, Glass Halla, 3 Silver Necklace, 1 Ram Horn, 1 Bride's Blood Vial, 2 Silk Handerchief, 1 Glass Fox, 1 Silver Earring, 1 Dreamer Rag, 1 Miniature Throne, 5 Weapon Fragment, 2 Bowstring, 3 Mysterious Shards, Nevarra Skull, 1 Simple Pendant, and 2 Specialist Crest

Potions: Lesser Health Potions x8, Lesser Regeneration Potions x5, and x5 Lyrium Potion

Skills: Chain Lighting, Flashfire, Barrier, Winter's Grasp, and Energy Barrage

Armor Schematics: Shokra-taar Schematic, Antaam-saar Schematic, Avvar Armor Schematics Acquired, Stone-Bear Armor Schematics, Vanguard Coat Schematic,

Weapon Schematics: Curved Dagger Schematic and Hunting Bow Schematic

Potion Recipe: Lesser Regeneration Potion recipe and Lyrium Potion Recipe

Bottles of Thedas: Vint-9 Rowan's Rose and Carnal, 8:69 Blessed