“You’re right of course,” Sordyr apologized then stared intently at him. “Do we have a bet or not?”
The older dwarf studied him for a moment then looked at the two steins and stacks of coins. “Three golds.”
“Four.”
“Three and two silver.”
“Five.”
“What?” the dwarf sputtered. “You can’t go up when I raise my offer.”
“Four is my minimum,” Sordyr patiently explained. “The way negotiations were going, I was afraid we’d be here all day until you finally got up to four. Now, do you want to play or not?”
The older dwarf frowned in irritation at him then let out a sigh. “Four it is.” He started to reach for a pawn of each color when Sordyr interrupted him.
“Tut, tut. I’d like to see those coins if you don’t mind.”
“Don’t you trust me?” the dwarf replied with some indignation.
Sor
