"Maybe I should try talking with this wizard of yours." Dar said. "If I can get a feel for what he is like, I can probably do a better job of working things out with Llandros."
"Our camp is a couple of miles back up the road." Brian pointed in the direction they had come. "It hasn't been long, and the rest of the group should be there."
"Lead the way, then." Dar grinned at Mike. "And remember, making like a stallion will make you a stallion."
"If you end up a horse, I'll do what I can to buy you from the wizard." promised Brian. That was the best he could do for encouragement, because he really did not think Tye was going to help.
The walk back took longer since they walked, but Dar had a lot of questions about their world and what it was like. He also told Brian about being a stableboy and how much better it was belonging to a wizard. "Or at least, my wizard. Doesn't sound like this Tye is all that concerned about keeping you safe."
That was easy to say, thought Brian. What would happen when Tye found out his centaur was trapped?
As they got close to the clearing, Joe's impressive scaly form was evident. Dar whistled. "Wow. That's a big dragon! You don't usually see them this close to town." Joe had noticed them as well, for by the time they got tot he top, he, Christine, and Tye were all waiting. Christine wrinkled her nose. "Oh, dammit, Mike! At least you would have been useful as a horse! Why the fuck did you get turned into a damn ugly kid?"
Dar did not seem to take offense. "Oh, your centaur is back in town." He nodded respectfully to Tye. "I assume you are their wizard. Master Tye?"
Tye looked annoyed, and crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah, and who are you? Not the powerful wizard these guys are supposed to connect with?"
"I guess you mean Master Llandros." Dar shook his had. "No, I am Dar, his stable hand and servant. Your team members, the centaur and this elf, ran afoul of my master's mares outside of town. The centaur mounted one of the mares and is on his way to becoming a draft horse stallion. Your elf asked me to speak wit Llandros about releasing him. I will do so if that is your wish."
Tye chuckled. "I knew he'd have to try out that monster pecker! I'll have to get down there and watch him screw his way into the animal kingdom."
"But he'll be stuck as an animal!" Brian stared at Tye in disbelief. "You brought us here, and you are the one who sent him that way! You have to help him!"
"I don't have to do anything." Tye grinned, but it was not a nice expression. "Mike's a loser. He asked to be a centaur because he loves big horses. Don't you remember any of our D&D games? How many times has he 'accidentally' found transformation magic curses? Name one game we ever played where he didn't end up at least part animal, and usually horse."
"But that was just a game!" Brian felt a cold chill. Tye was scaring him. "You said this was real. I mean, if it's all just pretend somehow and we'll be safe and sound back in our world, well, I guess it's OK. But if Mike is really going to end up as an animal, we gotta stop it!"
Christine spoke up "Don't worry about Mike. He's getting what he wants. We don't really need him anyway."
Joe snorted, sending a cloud of smoke from his nostrils. "I'm a dragon. I don't need any of you."
Dar shrugged. "That's no problem, then. I'll go back and let Llandros know he has a new stallion."
"Oh, I don't think you'll be talking to Llandros any more." Tye gave Dar a slight smile. "If he wants to take one of my players, it's only fair I take one of his. A horse for a horse."