You are offered a ride

You hear the clip clop of hooves on the hard stone long before you see its cause. You twist about and step back. What approaches is something like a centaur, had the hybrid men had six legs instead of four, and instead of hair scales like a serpent though keeping the hooves which ended them. If his bestial half was hideous, it only made his upper body more handsome for it. Human from the waist up save for a pair of spiraling horns like a goat, his stomach is toned and muscled, his arms thick and corded likewise. His face is rugged and strong, bearing that earthy stock of square jaw and long, braided brown hair that reaches to his back. His only clothes are a belt around his waist from which hangs a sword, and a bow strapped across his rugged chest. His strong, penetrating eyes are turned upon you fixedly. He pulls behind him a cart covered with a tarp, the black wood warped into hideous screaming faces.

“Little pure one,” the centaur asks in a puzzled tone. “Where do you wander on this lonely road?”

You shiver feeling his eyes rake across your naked flesh, and not all in fear. He is handsome, and you would have found him so even before coming here where bloated monstrosities are so common. “I’m going to the City of Moans,” you tell him.

He grunts heavily and expression turns dour. “A road dangerous and long to travel alone,” he informs you. “The Droad have been known to lurk among the crags. I would not recommend one – let alone untainted – travel alone.” He extends his hand. “Come. I will give you passage to the city.”

“I have no money,” you say and look past him. The road stretches beyond you and back to the port city, too far to call for aid, even had you any idea that some might be forthcoming.

“If you consent, then I shall agree to some other form of payment, pure one. I am known as Castor.”

You look back to him. Ignoring his lower half, he is handsome and alluring, and the Droad he mentioned do sound like something best avoided. Would agreeing to his payment really be so bad? You consider carefully his outstretched hand.