"But first I need to assume a more threatening appearance." Llandros grinned at them. "I do have trouble getting taken seriously as a child." The boy seemed to flicker, then melt into wax that flowed up and out. When the blurred shape reformed, Llandros was a tall, gray-haired old man with a flowing beard and piercing blue eyes. He seemed to radiate power, and Brian automatically took a step back. This was no pretend game - the wizard looked like the embodiment of magical power.
"Now I am ready. Take me to see this foolish mortal." Even Llandros' voice cracked with power. "A slug? Perhaps he will like that form himself."
Dar and Brian followed the wizard outside, but they all stopped as a terrifying roar echoed through the sky. "The idiot! He must have made your dragon friend feral! If the others in your party are not dead already, they soon will be. And it will probably go after the village next."
Brian remembered the cold, sinister look in the Joe's eyes - had Tye actually made their friend into a true monster?
"Hurry!" Llandros started running, watching the sky as they passed startled villagers. There was another roar followed by a brilliant ball of fire that rolled up from a hill that looked about a mile away. Right where the camp was.