* Birdie looked up, but not at Holly ... rather, at the wizened bearded face of Gandalf, who was next in line. He plunked down a silver piece with coarse good-natured ceremony, smiling as Bird gave a slight jump in time with the clinking of coin on wood. *
Well, on with it then. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]
* The walnut shells coursed through their hypnotic dance and came to a halt. The crowd of onlookers lightly jostled for position to get a good view, crowding and elbowing and craning their necks, laughing and whispering and questioning what sort of stunt the wizard might pull. *
* Gandalf took up his willow wand to point out the middle shell. Taking careful aim, there was a flash and a crash and the clearing of smoke. The middle walnut shell was now revealed, split in two. Eleven pebbles lay clustered round. *
At the rate of "See a pebble, win a penny," I believe you owe me eleven silver, my dear Bird. By coincidence, I know of eleven hungry rangers who are in need of meat and drink this evening. Kindly see that they are provided for. Meals shall have to be delivered, since the rangers are on patrol and cannot all be spared to eat together inside the Trade Inn.
* Gandalf bowed gallantly with arms outstretched and empty. When he stood back up, he presented a bouquet of asphodel, niphrodel, and elanor to Birdland. *
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