Mike looked back at the boy curiously. "Done? Done with what?"
"Changing your core." The boy smiled and patted Mike's side. :"I'd rather leave you like you are, but it's the law, you know."
"Uh, not really. I didn't even know about being sold to you. I was just visiting the town and sorta ended up falling into this."
The boy nodded his head. "Liam has a good sales pitch. Heck, I'd be a Clyde myself if they'd let me."
Mike felt very relaxed and comfortable as the grooming continued, though he was aware the brush was doing something to him. "So why don't you use the magic stuff you have to change yourself?"
"Only works on centaurs and people who are already partly changed." The boy held the brush up and then ran it over his face. Nothing happened. "The Wizard or one of his magic items has to start off the change." He resumed brushing Mike's human chest.
Mike watched him for a minute, and realized what was happening. The skin on his human parts was getting darker and coarser looking, with hair that matched his equine coat starting to appear. "I'm not going to be a normal horse again, am I?"
"Again?" The boy looked puzzled. "You've been a horse before?"
"Yeah. I liked it except that I missed my hands, and being able to talk."
"I never heard of anyone coming back from being a horse!" The boy frowned. "You'll keep your hands, but there won't be much talking."
Mike felt a ripple in his skin and the brushing continued to change him. "What am I going to end up like? You said I wouldn't be a normal horse."
"Sorta halfway, I guess. You'll have your arms, but everything will be covered in horse hide and your head will be a horse's." The boy smiled. "A full Shire head to match your body. You'll be beautiful!"
"I guess that makes it hard to talk."
The boy nodded. "It's partly that, and also because you'll have a mostly horse brain. You'll understand us, and be able to speak some words after a while. You just won't think of talking much."
Mike thought about that. Pretty much what Tye had told him - his situation as improved. but not all that much. Still, it sounded like he would get back into the game later on.