Maybe it's trying to lull him into complacency. Sending a mabari to a Fereldan would be a pretty good lure. Alistair tries to take stock of his remaining weapons -- the sword, though that'll take effort to draw; a knife somewhere, he thinks -- then gives up and offers his hand to Liranan to sniff.

When Ysa returns with the food, he glances up, sharply. The smell makes his mouth start watering so fast that it's nearly painful, but all he does is eye the plates as she sets them down.