Yafya? That you?
@chendu @unime it's also a matter of historically sound expectations. The normal, sane reaction to a dragon is fleeing. Not clinging. It's not so much he
wants her to go, it's just no one has ever wanted to
stay. Hell, the closest he has to a friendly acquaintance doesn't want him around (for very good reasons).
Yeah, while traveling with a prince's ransom isn't exactly smart, those bold enough to do so without a contingent of mercenaries or knights are either too stupid to live or damn well capable of defending said goods. Even if they DIDN'T believe the horse was a magical construct, they should have had the danger sense to piece that possibility together.
as far as the suddenly going ape over the gold, I imagine they were expecting some smaller bills in exchange for decent food, maybe collected down feathers or some cheap fabric. they're not exactly a capital department store. People just don't roll up to tiny villages in the boonies loaded with cash. Except these two did, because Lord Greed has no concept of "appropriate compensation".
ALSO! JILL! I love... them. As a tree spirit, I can't say for sure whether they are male, female, or something in between. Because plants. Gender aside, They're GREAT. 10/10 top sass.