calculator carefully, it will take ages before the batteries go dead.â
Klandor considered. âWhat else have you brought?â
Watch held aloft the lighter, flicked it a couple of times so the flame appeared and disappeared. âThis lighter is brand-new,â he said. âIts fuel reserve is at maximum. But even when it does run out, even in this dimension, you should be able to replenish it with another source of fuel.â
Klandor acted unimpressed. âIâm a powerful wizard. I can start a fire by snapping my fingers. What do I need a lighter for?â
âExcuse me for putting it this way,â Watch said. âBut youâre an old powerful wizard, and you ainât getting younger. I bet starting a fire isnât as easy as it used to be. But with this lighter in your pocket, you wonât even have to remember the spell for fire.â
âAre you questioning my memory, young human?â Klandor snapped.
âNot at all,â Watch said. âBut as the years roll by, all of us have a little more trouble remembering the most obvious facts. All Iâm saying is that the lighter and the calculator make living life that much easier and pleasanter.â He paused. âThese are the two items we have brought to wager. Two items, I believe, that are difficult, if not impossible, to obtain in this dimension.â
Klandor considered. âWhat do you want me to wager in return?â
Watch didnât hesitate. âYour wizardâs hat for the lighter.â
âIs that all?â Klandor asked.
Watch shrugged. âItâs a nice hat. I want it.â
âYou want it because itâs a magical hat,â Klandor said sternly. âIt is worth far more than your silly lighter.â
âThatâs my offer. Take it or leave it.â
âIâll make you a counteroffer,â the wizard said. âBoth the lighter and the calculator for my hat.â
Watch shook his head. âNo dice.â
Klandor smiled thinly. âWe wonât use dice. We toss a coin. Heads or tails. It is very simple. You either win or you lose.â He paused. âYou must wager both.â
âNo,â Watch said.
âWhat are you saving the calculator for?â
âA second wager.â
âWhat do you want for it?â Klandor asked.
âThat is none of your business. Not unless you win both items from me.â
The wizard scowled. âYou are a stubborn human.â
âWe are a stubborn race,â Cindy chipped in.
Klandor waved his hand. âAll right, I will put up my hat for the lighter. I will even let you toss the coin and let you call it while it is still in the air. Does that sound fair?â
âYes,â Watch replied, bringing out the crystal necklace. âThe only condition I have is that you wear this necklace while we play.â
Every dwarf and elf in the room leaned in closer.
Pan smiled slightly although he remained silent.
Klandor was suspicious. âWhy should I wear it?â
âWhy not?â Cindy asked. âYou say it has no effect on the wearer.â
âI must insist that you wear it if you want to win this fine lighter and this superb calculator,â Watch said. âOur good friend Pan had to wear it before, and now itâs your turn.â
âI did not force Pan to wear the necklace,â Klandor said. âHe chose to wear it.â
âIs there some reason you are afraid to wear it?â Cindy taunted gently.
The wizard snorted. âI am afraid of nothing.â He stood up from his throne. âGive me the necklace. Loyal slaves, get my pillow and gold coin.â He rubbed his hands together as if he were eager for the contest to begin. âStep forward and lay out your goods, Watch. This will be the last time you see them.â
A few minutes later Watch was sitting opposite Klandor, with the whole assembly looking on. Many held their breathâthe tension was