“Tell me, Handy, what do you suppose the Equestrians seek to accomplish while they are here?” Handy tensed, thoughts springing to mind, old suspicions and concerns about being traded to the Equestrians as a bargaining chip for peace and reconciliation. It was possible that Joachim was resisting that, and him swallowing his pride to meet Handy’s ultimatum the other day to prevent him from leaving the kingdom, at least willingly. Was that to hold him here long enough to be traded or was there something else? Would Joachim trade him? Did he have a choice in the matter?