Popping his head back out, Gorim looked all around suspiciously while a confused Danor just stared. Finally convinced there was no one around except himself, Danor, and the donkey, Gorim leaned forward and revealed the contents of a pouch in his stout grubby hands.
"A rock?" Danor asked, squinting at the dark, shiny stone in Gorim's palm.
"This is no mere rock!" Gorim hissed at Danor. "You'll find yourself hard pressed to find one of these even in the royal treasury. This here is a Glamour Gem!"
"A Glamor Gem?" Danor snorted, only to be hushed by Gorim, who took another look around. "Those are just tall tales. That sort of magic has been lost since the Age of Witches."
"Which is why this one is so rare," Gorim grinned with no small amount of pride. "All you have to do is think of your goal, and for as long as your energy holds out, this Gem will give you the form must suited to completing your task! A real treasure!"
"But," Danor cut in, brows furrowed. "Why are you offering such a treasure to me?"
"I've taken a liking to ya, lad!" Gorim smirked. "My nose for profit tells me you're headed for great fortune, and all I ask is that when you succeed, you remember the passerby who helped you on your way, is all."
"How much?" Danor asked after pondering a few minutes, and Gorim's resulting smile coud have split his face.
"I'll tell you what, I'll let you have it for a measly 50 gold. Now that's a deal you won't find anywhere!" Gorim wheedled.
"Even 50 is a bit much for me right now..." Danor hesitated, but then reconsidered. "But you're right, I don't need to get into trouble." Digging out his moneybag, Danor handed the dwarf 50 gold and received the Gem in return.
"Well, I best be on my way, young sir," Gorim hurriedly stashed the money and took up the donkey's reins. "I wish you luck in your future endeavors." Before Danor could respond, Gorim snapped his reins and the cart was off, leaving Danor to stare at the Gem in his hand. Of course, he failed to notice the strange runes on the underside.
"Well, I guess I should see what this is really worth," Danor muttered to himself, then held the gem up to his eye. Staring through it, he thought of his goal, which was to find safe lodgings in Goldwick unhindered by rogues or thieves. Nothing seemed to happen, and Danor snorted at his own naivete. Just as he was about to lower the Gem, however, it suddenly flashed. It was so close to his eye that when he quickly dropped it, all he could see were spots for a few seconds.
"What the..." Danor began to curse, then stopped suddenly. His voice sounded strange to his ears. Looking down into a puddle by the side of the road, Danor was shocked to discover that he appeared to be...