"Change is the state of both the heart and mind," he said simply.

"There is little reason for it not to be the state of one's exterior as well."

After all, there was a long tradition of beasts turning into humans and humans turning into beasts in folklore where he was from. He saw no reason for it to be otherwise in another land.

"That is a considerable position," he remarked, lowering his head in deference. He wasn't sure what was or was not considered polite or what the social pecking order was, but he was fairly certain merchants fell under arcane advisors. It didn't hurt to err on the side of caution and keep up the facade.

"Such places must have been of great interest."