Part 494: Donny B

Howdy, ma'am! I got them two venomous black snakes you been lookin 'fer!

Yes, thank you. Just throw them in the usual place.

You got it!

*Sigh* ...Well? Aren't you going to ask me?

Ask ya what, ma'am?

Tsk. Don't play coy. The favor, obviously.

I reckon I don't quite follow.

You want me to use my magic powers to do something for you, right? For weeks, you've been running hither and yon, collecting specimens. At first it was amusing, but you've actually proved to be quite helpful. So then? Name your price. What do you want in return?

Well, I imagine I'd like ya to do nothin', ma'am.

I don't understand.

I don't want nothin' in particular, so I'm askin' ya to do nothin!

Surely you must have some reason for helping me.

Gosh, ma'am. That's just how we do things back in my village. If a mage was settin' about to cast a curse, see, we was all duty dound to pitch in. Just like we all help build the barns and mend the fences, and clear the pastures!

Wait. You used to help mages cast curses? Cast curses... on you?!

That's what curses are all about, right? Usin' dark arts fer the greater good? By helping you, I reckon I'm helpin' everyone in the Shephards. Ain't that right? Gosh, maybe THAT should be my favor! I should ask ya to cast more nice magic!

I don't know who taught you about curses, but that's not how they work.

It ain't?

Gods, it's a wonder your village is still standing... But all right... I'll see if I can find a way to cast some, er, "Nice" magic. And in the meantime, you can keep collecting specimens.

Yee-haw! It's a dilly of a deal!

I think this is going to be a very useful arrangement! ...Particularly for me.