Gaelum noticed Wil leaning against a wagon and motioned for him to come over. " It is late and you should be asleep. " Gaelum said in a half-hearted gruff voice. " Very well then, come sit and practice your juggling. " Wil juggled fruit while Gaelum lost himself in the dancing flames. Ten minutes passed, Gaelum looked up and motioned to the boy, " see that glow over the ridge, there lies Tezar, the most important stop of our tour. "

As they sat peering into the darkness, they heard the sound of an approaching horse. Startled, Wil dropped the fruit and jumped to his feet, but Gaelum grabbing his arm, pulled him back. It was Melosh returning from an errand. Moments later he entered the camp and immediately went to Gaelum's side and whispered in his ear. Gaelum nodded, saying " well done, now go get some rest; " and with that, Melosh departed. The camp had all but bedded down and they sat for a few minutes more before Gaelum got up and said " it is late, now off with you. "

By the time Wil awoke, the camp was abuzz with people scurrying about making final preparations for their departure. Twenty minutes later they were on the road and in two hours arrived in Tezar. It was only 8:00 a.m. but already the square was crowded with merchants selling their wares. Two of the wagons entered the square and positioned themselves end to end. They were quickly transformed into a colourful platform from which the entertainers could draw the attention of the crowds. Within half an hour, all was prepared and Gaelum appeared from behind a curtain and made his pitch to gather the crowds. " Ladies and gentlemen of Tezar, I present to you The Troupe, the finest travelling show that you will ever see, " he said in a loud and confident voice. " We will entertain you with our feats of magic, juggling, dancing and song; the likes of which you have never seen before. "

On cue a lively tune was orchestrated from behind the curtains and Wil, along with two others, appeared and tumbled across the stage; then proceeded into an intricate juggling act. One act would barely finish when another would begin. Juggling was followed by fire breathers, followed by a display of knife throwing and so it was for the balance of the morning and into the afternoon. After each performance the audience would show their appreciation by throwing coins up onto the stage.

Early in the day the flavour was tailored to the women of the city, who were purchasing the needs of the day. By mid afternoon it was more serious and suited to the males. What better attraction than a troupe of dancing women, thinly veiled, undulating to an alluring tune. Gambling tables were set up and calls could be heard enticing the crowds to try their hand at lady luck.

The hour was drawing near three o'clock when all activity suddenly stopped and Gaelum reappeared on centre stage. Casting gold coloured dust into the air to draw attention, he hollered over the din of the crowd. " Ladies and gentlemen , gather near , for I will astound you with my powers of observation and deduction. I wager equal to your purse that I can guess within a copper how much you carry. If correct, you will divide your purse, giving me half, if not, I will double your holdings. Come now, surely there are those among you who have the gaming spirit, " he taunted.

" I will take you up on your challenge, " came a voice from the crowd. A smiling cobbler appeared and confidently demanded, " go ahead, guess if you will. "

Gaelum looked at him intently, " twelve coppers and a silver. " The expression on the cobblers face changed from amusement to an angry sneer. " Come show your purse so we may all count," Gaelum shouted, sweeping his hand for effect. The cobbler emptied his purse and sure enough there were eleven coppers and a silver coin. Gaelum threw up his hands, " ladies and gentlemen, have I your attention yet? "

Gaelum was just about to answer another challenge when out of the corner of his eye he spied the movement of brightly polished breast plates moving towards him. Five in all approached, led by a tall, no nonsense looking Captain of the guards. He pushed his way through the crowd, flanked by two on either side. " I wager your hide that you can not guess my purse. " snapped the Captain. His eyes narrowed and nostrils flared, " If you guess right, I will let you continue, if not, the lot of you will be cast into the dungeons. "

Gaelum paused for a long moment as a hush fell over the crowd. The sudden tension had caught everyone off guard. Finally, Gaelum responded in a clear and steady voice, " Captain, you have the equivalent of two silvers in your purse. " The Captain looked at Gaelum sternly and after a lengthy pause, a smile curled the corners of his lips and he broke into laughter.

" I know not how sir, but you are correct," he bellowed. " I have a silver coin and a hundred coppers. " he said sheepishly. A cheer erupted from the crowd and Gaelum and the troupe breathed a sigh of relief.

" Tell me of your reasoning, " the Captain demanded. " As previously stated sir, I employ my powers of observation and deduction. " " Not good enough, " the Captain snapped. " Very well, I will tell you. I deduce from the lack of a ring that you are unwed, therefore you live from pay to pay. Further, your position would demand an income of no less than two silvers a week, and finally, this being Friday, you just today received your pay and as yet, not had a chance to spend your wages. Am I correct sir? " Gaelum asked.

" Amazing, master entertainer, I applaud your insight and ingenuity, " and with that he and his men turned and departed.

Wil, who was standing at the edge of the platform, stood stunned and motionless and not until the guards had retreated and were out of sight did he let his shoulders slump and surrender, the terrified expression on his face. Gaelum was already back at the taunting of the crowd, " come now, who among you can escape my powers of observation? "

Barely did the words escape his lips, when a squeaky voice from near the back, drew his attention. " I will take your challenge. " It was Duras, a loathsome and arrogant noble from a neighbouring kingdom. He was an obese man, one with rolls layered upon roll.

" I am not so easily impressed nor deduced as my Captain friend, " he went on. " I wager all that I have upon my person that you can not guess within fifty coppers how much I have. "

" You sir, are a noble and in possession of great wealth," Gaelum returned, " I could not match your worth if I assume incorrectly. In light of our difference in status and the depth of our pockets I must respectfully decline your challenge. "

" If you guess incorrectly I'll accept five years of servitude from you and your troupe. At that, I am being far too generous, " he added. Moments passed and Duras barked impatiently, " do we have a wager or not? "

Gaelum took a deep breath and responded, " I am confident in my abilities however, your status places you above me. What protection and assurance do I have that you will honour your wager? "

Duras flared back, " I am a noble and my word is my bond, the same law that binds you to my servitude will bind me. " Gaelum again paused, then finally nodded agreement to the challenge.

Gaelum walked to the edge of the platform, and said sarcastically " your nobleness, you have one hundred and twenty six gold pieces, ten silvers and twenty coppers on your person. "

Duras's face momentarily flinched, " excellent, however incorrect. "

In unison the crowd let out a groan of disappointment. " Am I ? " then prey show us," Gaelum gestured, showing Duras the steps.

Duras ascended the stage and threw back his cape to reveal two heavily laden purses. " In here are one hundred and twenty five gold pieces for my king's purpose and in my own purse I have ten silvers and twenty coppers. I gave you a range of fifty coppers, am I correct ? ", Duras asked. " A gold piece is worth one thousand coppers, therefore you are out by nine hundred and fifty coppers, " he concluded.

" You are correct in your mathematics sir, however you forgot to mention the gold coin stowed in your belt."

Duras's face went white. " That is preposterous, I have no gold in my belt " he gulped, catching his breath.

" Officer, arrest this man and all under his charge!. " The Captain responded immediately and before anyone knew it they were on the stage and closing in on Gaelum. They rushed towards him but instead proceeded to surround Duras. " What are you fools doing? It is he that you should be arresting. "

" Maybe, but first we will inspect your belt sir. "

With guards encircling him and the Captain in front, Duras made no attempt to prevent the search. The Captain slid his hand along the inside of the belt, withdrew a gold piece and held it up for the crowd to see. The entire square exploded in cheers while Duras huffed like a bull preparing for a charge, " I insist you arrest these dogs. "

" No sir , you lost the challenge " the Captain snapped.

" Don't you see, fool, I have been duped and you are helping him, " Duras sneered. He tried to escape but being flanked had no where to run.

" Under the circumstances, I have no choice but to arrest you for wagering in bad faith, " the Captain barked. Taking the monies, he handed them to Gaelum before heading off the stage with Duras still expounding his outraged indignation.

Gaelum, beaming with euphoric zeal held the winnings high for all to see. Another wave of cheers broke out amongst the crowd while the troupe gathered about congratulating him. The entertainment continued for the balance of the day and late into the night but the best had been presented.

It had been a long and tiring day, but Gaelum allowed Wil to stay up while the profits were being tallied. " Pardon my asking sir, " Wil interrupted, " but I must know how you did it. " " Did what ? " Gaelum mumbled, still lost in the delightful tinkling of the coins dropping to the hard table surface. " What? " a slight shake of his head and he snapped back to the present and the question being posed. " Oh yes, how indeed, " Gaelum chuckled. " Many things had to be in place for that spectacular finale to occur as planned. "

" Planned? " Wil asked.

"Yes planned, did you actually think that all that occurred was by chance? "

" Well um.... yes," Wil, muttered.

" My dear foolish boy, you have much to learn, " Gaelum laughed, now speaking in a gentle and fatherly tone. " Everything you saw today was intricately planned. Duras was our objective, the whole time."

" What? "

" Yes Wil, " Gaelum said in a soft voice. " Over eight months of planning went into this little charade."

Wil shook his head, " I do not understand. "

" Think boy, " snapped Gaelum, " there were many fruits to be harvested from that one tree."

Wil tilted his head, still confused.

" Very well, I will explain so you can understand and learn. The money was but one reward of our ploy. Duras's purse was intended for the king's war and without funds to furnish the troops or buy arms, the conflicts will diminish or be forced to halt completely. Third, Duras and the king needed to be taught a lesson. When those in positions of authority abuse trust and lose the faith of the people, then times are ripe for further conflicts and unrest. "

" You now know the why, the how was more devious, " Gaelum smiled mischievously, " Do you remember Melosh's errand ? "

Wil nodded.

" He was sent ahead to scout the town, solicit aid and most important, find out how much money Duras had to begin with. He did this by sneaking into Duras's room and counting his purse, the kings purse was already known to us from other sources. Then it was his job to follow Duras from the time he awoke, till the issuing of the challenge noting any monies spent. Melosh signalled me from the back of the crowd, informing me of Duras's purse and the hidden coin."

Wil beamed with a boyish smile, thrilled by the dubious nature of what had actually happened but then his expression changed from delight to puzzlement. " But one thing more, sir if you please, " he asked tentatively. Just then there was a knock at the door. Gaelum shouted " enter, I think this is the answer you seek, " he said as the Captain of the guards entered the wagon.

Wil sat petrified, he had not yet made the connection. Gaelum rose and greeted the visitor with a hearty clasping of the forearms. " Welcome! " said Gaelum in a cheerful tone, " Aknor, my friend, it has been too long. " Then as if a candle had been lit, a glowing smile developed on Wil's face as he finally fit the last piece into the puzzle.

Forgetting himself he blurted out, " you mean? "

Gaelum cut him off, " of course boy, I told you we needed help and who better to give credence to our ploy and set the trap than a respected member of the community. "

"You see, Aknor's participation was crucial, not only to make it believable but to get Duras to trap himself with his own words. " Aknor stood in silence, watching the exchange, knowing the importance of the instruction being given. Gaelum raised a pouch from the table and handed it to Aknor. " Here my friend is the agreed upon sum. "

Aknor tossed the pouch in the air , caught and shook it triumphantly and then turned to Wil, " now you heed what Gaelum teaches you and be the wiser for it."

One final hand shake and Aknor was gone.