Mika decided, "We might as well trust him and see where this goes. It's not like we can't fight him off, after all." Audrey looked suspicious but nodded.
"Yes! Thank you" the boy exclaimed, "Follow me!" He ran off through the unpaved streets and Mika and Audrey followed behind, eventually coming to a small shack on the outskirts of the village. "In here, there's a wizard who can help us."
Audrey grabbed her sword, just in case, and she and Mika entered the dimly-lit, sparsely-furnished shack... only to find the innkeeper waiting inside for them, smiling evilly. Mika demanded, "What is the meaning of this?!" and prepared to cast a spell, while Audrey yelled and charged at the man with her sword, but before either of them could do anything the innkeeper took out a stone, THE Stone, and pointed it at them. The Stone glowed, and Mika and Audrey collapsed to the ground, fully conscious but unable to move.
"I brought them to you, just like you asked!" The boy seemed eager, even giddy. "Now can I be a grown-up again?!"
The innkeeper smiled. "Ander, you should know by now that I'm not a man of my word." He pointed the Stone at the boy.
The boy, apparently Ander, had only a moment of panic and outrage, protesting, "What?! But--" And then the Stone glowed, his eyes dulled, and he fell silent and looked around in confusion, not seeming to notice the wizard and warrior lying immobile on the floor. "Uh, what'm I doin' here?"
"You helped me with an errand," the innkeeper explained condescendingly, and then held out a small hunk of bread. "Now take this for your troubles."
A meager prize though it was, Ander's eyes lit up and he grinned as happily as though he'd been given a sack of candy. "Wow, thanks, Master Robin!" He grabbed the bread and munched it greedily as he ran back out of the shack.
The innkeeper turned to his prone captives. "You didn't think I'd let you mess with the Stones, did you? I have a nice operation going and I won't have outsiders like you ruining it. Better to make you a part of it!" Mika was cursing inside but he was powerless to do anything as the innkeeper approached, looming over him and leering down. "I do believe I'll start with you, boy. Now, let's see, what can we make of you? I'm sure someone needs something. Ah, yes, I know...."