"Who me? Don't leave on my account," Sarati joked as she came down the hall.

The mare calmed a bit as she spotted the green rider and poked her head out hopefully. Sarati laughed and produced the orangeroot in her pocket for the mare's pleasure. Flame was predictable. Bring her food and she was a little bit better behaved.

"I'm Sarati, by the way," she added for the boy's benefit.