The swift ride through the woods jolted and jostled Garrett. Arietta’s arm around him kept him secure. He felt awkward being in the protection of another. It felt reassuring with her warm body next to his holding it tight. Garrett asked, “How much longer till we get there?”
“We should be hitting the clearing momentarily. I want to suggest you use one of my potions to transform yourself further. It will make you harder to track. It would take to long to craft a restoration potion. Plus I don’t know if I can. The magic might be beyond my abilities.” Arietta spoke concerned about protecting her friend. Hiding him until something could be worked out seemed the best option.
Garrett responded, “I can see how not looking like myself would help. The age change certainly helps disguise me but Mazara knows how I look now. The question is how do you plan to change me?”
“Well, I think I will the final choice up to you. I keep a variety of potions that can transform into a number of different forms. I concerned that you will get tracked to my place. I fear that you will need to make the choice quickly. But the basic changes I can do are animal, gender, or age. As an animal I could keep you here and Mazara would suspect nothing. A druid with animals about would draw no suspicion. Changing gender I would send you away to someone who will care for you until we can meet up. With the age transformation I can make you so old or young that Mazara will not recognize you. So what do you think?” Arietta asked as they arrived to a comfortable cottage in a clearing. A greenhouse and other outbuildings sat off a bit for the care of her rare plants and make potions.
