The Tournament done three pony sized horses are returned to the stables. As magic halters remain over each boy's head their thoughts can be nothing more than those of any common pony.
Harold being the largest is soon seen by the grooms as a sturdy mount and a possible stud.
Matthew and gideon are not so lucky as they being shorter have little use other than in doing the work needed for the stable. Paired into a team their short powerful legs move the manure wagon daily from the city to differing country farms. As they work their bodies strengthen even more as the potion of Zodis works now into every fibre of their beings.
Days turn into weeks and they become months and for the three youths it is now four years to the very day since the change to beastly equines. Harold has with his lifestyle become a bit larger with his mating as the potion finalized its work over his body. Matthew and Gideon too have grown some but remain as ponies working as a team.
The three might have lived out their entire lives as ponies had not Zodis fallen on hard times.
A great Magician was Zodis as his tricks did intregue the King often. He did the skulldugery workings for Lord Gregory making his enemies vanish from sight, even if they still be nearby as other than what they were born.
So it came to pass that Gregory did see a maiden true and fair a ward of the King. He happened to look down into the royal gardens from a rampart high seeing the Maiden bathing in the sun. His view was better than any as he looked down upon her naked body laying upon the grass. His lust was kindled and he wanted her for his own.
Ask and ask again for the Maiden's hand in marriage but the King told of her betrothal to yet another great Knight.
Fustrated beyond all reason he asked then of Zodis to work his magical ways.
Seeing the maiden's beauty he too asked of Gregory as to what he wished for him to do? Would he make her a love potion? Was she to join the throngs of other lessor people and live as a beast of the fields?
Spurned in love was Gregory his asking only made his passion known within the Courts. As other Knights enjoyed the company of the fairer sex Gregory had a reputation for being cruel.
As humor ran about the castle making Gregory even more cruel and angered at all around him he vetured an answer to Zodis. A wish for the maiden that since he could not have her then no man would want her either!
Being that Gregory was part of Zodis claim to fame and power within the court he did as he was asked. A long evenings work inside his magical lab proved to brigh forth a horrid mixture bubling red and orange it was hot to hold let alone have a maiden drink it.