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then and there, but he saw the look that Margot
    was giving the Rubezahl and realized that that wasn't really an
    option.

    The Dwarf King smiled, showing a mouthful of golden teeth.
    "Now I have a dozen dwarves, with axes, ready, willing, and
    able to run the same scam- However, the wood nymphs would fi-
    nally catch on, and that would quickly dry up the market." The
    Rubezahl steepled his fingers. Jewels shining on each knuckle.
    "It would be far more profitable, in the long run, to continue this
    as a solo operation." He rubbed his hands together and the rings
    clicked. "May I ask what split you're operating by?"

    Conrad exchanged glances with Margot, and she nodded.
    "Urn, I get two out of every three wishes, but Margot gets first
    pick of the extras. The dnderbox and the goose and the wizard's
    finger bone."

    The Rubezahl raised his eyebrows. "Finger bone?"

    Margot grinned weakly. "I fed it to Teacup."

    "Good sense," said the Dwarf King. "Wouldn't want to have
    to cut a wizard in on the action, too, and they're no end of trou-
    ble, at least the undying ones- Almost as bad as children."

    Margot nodded. True."

    "Now," said the Dwarf King, "what I'm offering is a three-
    way split on the wishes, and an even pick of the extras. I'm also
    offering my expert services as appraiser, as well as the use of my
    dwarves to insure the secrecy of this operation and guard it
    against the addition of any fourth parties or unnecessary compe-
    tition. My associates," he gestured to the mockingbird and the
    squiirel, "would also like some additional considerations, in ex-
    change for their discretion in this matter."

    He conferred for a moment with the squirrel and mockingbird,
    who chattered and whistled, bobbing their heads up and down.

    "Yes," the Rubezahl said. "Yes, of course."

    He gestured to the mockingbird. "Hector here would like the

    34                 Kevin Andrew Murpky

    ability to speak the language of all men and beasts. Would that
    be possible?"

    Margot struck three sparks from the tinderbox. 'Tower! Go
    fetch a dragon's heart' There's got to be one somewhere that
    doesn't need his, and there's a nice treat for you when you bring
    it back!"

    "WOOF!" boomed Tower, blinking his enormous eyes, and
    bounded off through the ballroom. On second thought, Conrad
    considered, perhaps the expansions to the cottage hadn't been
    such a foolish wish after all. They had to have somewhere to
    keep the dogs.

    Margot turned back to the Rubezahl. "And ... ?"

    The Dwarf King stroked the squirrel's tail and conferred
    again, then looked back and smiled. "Yes. Prissy here would like
    an endless supply of nuts, and protection for the Great Oak in the
    center of the Wild Wood."

    Margot shrugged. "No trouble with the oak. Everybody knows
    there's a wizard locked in the trunk, and as you said, wizards are
    almost as much trouble as children. That wood nymph can keep
    him and her tree. But as for the nuts ..."

    She looked to Conrad and he shrugged. "I don't know. I've
    never heard of an endless supply of nuts, unless we're talking
    about the royal family." He paused. "Maybe the King's gra-
    nary?"

    "Possible," said Margot. "We could always use a wish for it.
    We have enough. Though it seems an awful waste...."

    The squirrel chattered, evidently having a difference of opin-
    ion.

    The Rubezahl waved one hand regally, dismissing the objec-
    tion, and showed his golden teeth. "I wouldn't be so eager to use
    a wish just yet if I were you. You're aware that a wood nymph's
    wishes are cursed, aren't you?"

    Witchmaid Margot smiled. "Of course—but only if you have
    the wood nymph's ill will. We've been very careful to have
    Conrad sweet-talk those sawdust brains, then drop another tree
    on them while they're still happy. No troubles."

    The Dwarf King steepled his fingers. "Yet—to the best of
    your knowledge. Which brings us to an unpleasant bit of busi-
    ness, which, as your new partner in this endeavor, I'm now