Just Good Friends With The Dragon

Let's Make A Deal

This mage is an outsider, and he has just told me that things here might be benevolent (but also a bit rigged).

Maybe that is too judge-y. Casino rules. The house always wins ties.

The best solution in a rigged game is not to play. No, I made a promise.

Keeping my eyes lowered, I ask the damsel to recall the first time we met. What did her heart actually mean? What was 'her' request, not the request she was making as an official petitioner. I feel like it was about freedom and not just about some meals.

Was I right about that? If I could bargain for the freedom of both her and her father, was that what she might want?

She lets out a sigh, but I get that inward sense. Yes. A thing just too big to actually ask for. But Yes.

The mage asks if that is my request.

"Can you bring her father here, so we can get his agreement? I have some other conditions and requests yet to talk about, but this is the core of it"

The Mage is gone for few minutes and appears with a good looking mature-ish man. The girl and he hug. The mage says they have discussed the basic concept. What was I thinking?

"We would send these two off to my friend (the turquoise large friend), who would vouch safe their new life. That friend would also be my checker to make sure I had paid the debt for the things I want to settle here tonight.

They should be taken to my friend today with food for travel. I think I also want that horse.

In exchange, I am to do feats or tasks of strength and speed to benefit his realm."

The mage asks if I want any other consideration. To be regarded as equal to rulers? To receive coin after the work is done?

"No, I should keep my goals simple."

Things move quite quickly. The girl and her father are taken away by the mage. A small metal band is removed from the horse's leads by the envoy. The mage returns. The envoy guy shrugs and walks into the woods.

The mage sits on the blanket and says "Now, let us talk about some larger questions."