A boy who looked about ten years old, wearing along, stained robe. He scowled up at them. "Yes, yes. Of course. The interloper from another world and his victims." The boy focused his frown on Brian. "So, what did you and your companions do to run afoul of this Tye?"
"Nothing!" Brian blurted out, then added, "Sir." This made the boy crack a smile.
"Well, at least you are not totally stupid. Both of you come inside and I will decide what to do." The young wizard turned and moved to a low table that had a bizarre collection of bottles, jewels, books, vials, bags, and other items scattered over it. A large, low bowl filled with shimmering liquid stood in the center.
The boy was muttering to himself, but seemed to be in a more relaxed mood, so Brian asked "Are you really as young as you look?" That earned him another scowl. "Of course not! I am eighty-seven. But would YOU want to be bald, wrinkled and stooped? I much prefer being a child. It has the advantage of letting me explore and spy on others without being noticed."
"Oh. Right." Brian could see the logic, though he would have chosen something more like Dar, or at least the stable boy's apparent early teens.
"Master Llandros, the one called Tye may try to harm you, or use his power on the people in the village. He claims to have created this world, and tried to turn me into a slug." Dar gestured at Brian. "He tried to have a dragon kill us both, and he intentionally sent a centaur to our pasture."
Llandros gave a short laugh. "So, I have a new stallion? That will be profitable."
"No!" Brian flushed, but continued. "I mean, please, sir. He is a friend and a nice guy. He meant no harm. It's just that, well, he was a teenager like me, and then was suddenly this big powerful centaur. I'm sure it was nearly impossible to resist he mares."
"I have some goats you might find equally alluring, young elf, especially if I decide to make you a satyr." Llandros sighed. "Or perhaps a 'friend' for Dar, who appears to have taken a liking to you. But my first concern is this alien magic user. He cannot harm me, but he might try to harm those under my protection. In fact, it sounds like he already has."
"He has a dragon." Dar reminded him.
"I suppose we'll have to meet him outside the village." Llandros grabbed a carved wooden staff - he looked like a boy playing Lord of the Rings dress-up. "But first, I need to..."