Mike looked at the boy wizard, and the young warrior, then back to Tye. It seemed like part of some crazy dream. But this centaur form felt completely real, as did the young man's hand still stroking his back. "I don't want to go back home. This is the most amazing place I have ever been. And I did agree." He bit his lower lip. "So I have to take responsibility for that. And accept the consequences. But I want to know what they are. Tell me exactly what I will be as a horse, how long it will last, and what happens to me afterwards. What happens when I go back home to my world?"
Tye shrugged and gestured to the young wizard. "This is all out of my control now. He will have to explain all that. Except...." Tye shook his head and grinned. "If you get back to our world, this will not all go away. You could end up a horse back on a farm, or your human self but big and muscular like a human Shire, or something totally different. Or you might end up totally of this world and never go back."
The young wizard frowned. "That is true. As for the rest, you will be an animal with the knowledge and ability of long training and an unshakable loyalty and devotion to your human, combined with higher intelligence than normal horses, and awareness that you were once human. The longer you are a horse, the less important your memories of being human will become. Your mind will function as that of the horse you are - focused on now, on instincts and needs, simple and basic thoughts. Yet that awareness that is you will remain. Life will be totally different for you, but it will still be your life. There will be adventures and battles, mares and pastures. You will feel rage, lust, pleasure, pain, excitement, and above all, contentment. For whatever else, you will never know regret or doubt again."
Mike nodded slowly, and looked back at Aaron. The young man regarded him solemnly and said "As much as possibly, we will be partners. I will care for you and protect you, and love you."
"What about my life expectancy?" Mike looked back at the wizard. "Horses don't live as long as people, right?"
"Adventurers seldom make it past their 20s. You are already almost that old as a human. If you survive your adventures, you can look forward to another ten to fifteen years as a Shire. After that? Who knows what happens?".