Hearing how smoothly Houshao'nao spoke, Jon's heart—raised to his throat—finally settled. *Damn, this kid knows how to play the game. Doesn't need teaching; he just *gets* who to flatter and what to say. He's got potential*, he thought approvingly.
Master Sheffield read the letter intently, glancing up at Houshao'nao periodically and nodding subtly. "You're the Houshao'nao Kerry recommended?"
"Yes, Master. That's me," Houshao'nao replied, bowing slightly.
"Heh, typical Kerry—shoves you my way. If I refuse, he'll call me ungrateful; if I accept, I've no idea what you can do. Fine, I'll take the gamble. Stay for now—can't ignore an old friend's favor," Sheffield said, smiling.
"Really? You'll keep me? Thank you—!" Houshao'nao barely contained his excitement, visions of a stable future dancing in his head.
"Hold on. What you'll do here depends on your performance. Report to me this time tomorrow," Sheffield said,significantly.
"Of course, Master. At your command," Houshao'nao replied, deferential.
"Then I can reassure Kerry. Jon, I know you're busy, but since you're staying overnight, could you collect my reply to Kerry tomorrow morning? I'll have it ready," Sheffield asked politely.
"Glad to help," Jon agreed, pulling Houshao'nao from the office.
Once outside the guild, Jon's tone turned serious. "Brother, I have a question. Think before you answer: you're clearly sharp. Why choose this path? Being a lackey seems beneath you."
Houshao'nao hesitated, struggling to explain. "Boss, I… I had a devastating loss. Two years on, I'm still adrift. A new environment might… reset things for me."
Jon studied his face, his eyes, until Houshao'nao looked away. In that brief moment, he saw it—the endless sadness beneath the surface.
"I understand. Time and place reshape people. Good luck, brother. I'll visit often," Jon said, letting the matter drop.
"Thanks, Boss. I'll never forget your help. I think… I'm already changing," Houshao'nao said, reflective.
"Ha! Don't make me sound like a saint. Come—let's drink till we drop. Tomorrow's problems can rot," Jon laughed, clapping his back.
"Right! I'm buying tonight!" Houshao'nao whooped, excited.
*"Buying? Drinking? Eating? That damn magician's treating others but not me? No way—I need a piece of this,"* the donkey thought, panicking. It let out a loud, mournful bray.
"Houshao'nao, your donkey's howling. Trouble?" Jon asked, frowning.
*Dammit, why'd I cry out? The dragon must've heard "treating" and panicked.* Aloud, Houshao'nao said, "Boss, grab us a table. I'll check on him and join you."
"Quickly then," Jon said, entering the tavern.
Houshao'nao stormed to the donkey, glowering. The donkey's heart sank—*What's he plotting now? I can't let him off easy after this mission.*
"Heh, Boss, heard you're treating? Any chance I can join?" the donkey asked, all sugar.
Houshao'nao had intended to intimidate, but the donkey's greedy look softened him. *Tomorrow we part ways. Ten days of bickering—strangely, I'll miss the damn thing.*
The donkey, watching his face, saw a flicker of sadness and froze, a terrible thought striking: *He's not… going to kill me, is he?* It began trembling.
"Why're you shaking?" Houshao'nao asked, curious.
"B-boss, you're not gonna eat me, are you? I'm scrawny—tasteless…" the donkey pleaded, forcing a whimper.
Houshao'nao laughed, realizing the misunderstanding. "Eat you? No. I'm staying here as an attendant starting tomorrow."
"An attendant? Oh, thank—wait, what about *me*? I'm coming with you, right?" the donkey said, relief turning to alarm.
"Relax. Jon will take you back safely," Houshao'nao said, smirking.
"Back? No! I don't want to return to that cursed mill—endless circles around the grindstone! My head's still spinning from it. Please, Boss—let me stay! I'll skip wine and meat, carry you everywhere, haul firewood… anything!" Tears welled in its big eyes.
Houshao'nao was stunned. *So that's why Durade's temper soured—trapped in a mill. I thought he ruined me, but I ruined him too. Cruel twist of fate.*
"…Please, Boss! I'll be good, I swear—"
"Alright, alright. Stop sniveling. Let me think," Houshao'nao said, torn.
"Think? Boss, if I go back, I'll work till I drop! You'd let a dragon die in a mill? Have mercy!" The donkey wailed, dramatic.
Watching the tearful display, Houshao'nao relented. *If I'm a lackey, I'll get bullied. Having this dragon-turned-donkey around to vent on? Perfect.* A smirk tugged at his lips.
The donkey, seeing the smirk—devoid of malice for once—dared to hope.
"Fine. You can stay. But you'll obey me. I'm serving others now; one mistake, and you're gone. Got it?" Houshao'nao said, mixing generosity with threat.
"Understood, Boss! Your wish is my command—" the donkey babbled, obsequious.
Just then, Jon reappeared behind them, making the donkey freeze. It let out a loud, fake groan to mask its earlier words.
"Brother, what're you muttering to the donkey?" Jon asked, puzzled.
Houshao'nao laughed awkwardly. "Boss, his hoof's injured. What should we do?"
"Injured? Let me check—"
"No need, Boss. I looked. He can't travel tomorrow," Houshao'nao interrupted, steering Jon away.
"Damn. Charlie the miller's a stickler. If we don't return his donkey—"
"Charlie? The red mill's old man? Boss, I'll handle it. Take these two gold coins—tell him I'm buying the donkey. He can get a new one," Houshao'nao said, pressing coins into Jon's hand.
"Keep your coins. I can afford a donkey. Just hate dealing with Charlie's tantrums. Fine, if he's lame, I'll sell him tomorrow—"
*"Sell me? To a butcher? Boss, save me—!"* The donkey nudged Houshao'nao, panicked.
"Boss, please—gift him to me. A lame donkey's still useful. I can use him as transport for my master. Spare his life?" Houshao'nao begged, improvising.
"You want a broken-down donkey? Why?" Jon asked, confused.
*"Broken-down? I'm a *dragon*,"* the donkey groused silently.
"Boss, he'll heal with rest. It's a waste to kill him. With him, I can run errands faster. Please?" Houshao'nao pleaded, batting his eyes.