Cindy, Watch, and Sarshi ran into Pan about midway between the castle and the interdimensional portal. Cindy and Watch were concerned that Adam and Sally weren’t with Pan. But when they questioned Pan about their friends’ whereabouts, Pan merely hung his head low and acted depressed. It was then they noticed that he wore a crystal necklace. Both Cindy and Watch wondered if it was the one that was responsible for all the trouble. But it was difficult to get any information out of Pan.
“At least tell us if they’re still alive,” Cindy said, exasperated.
Pan finally looked up at that. “I’m sorry, Cindy. The last time I saw them they were alive, but I don’t know what Klandor has done to them by now. The wizard has absolutely no honor. In front of everyone I explained exactly how he had cheated me, and he had the nerve to deny it. Then, when I challenged him to combat, he refused to cross swords with me. He is not only evil, he is unethical.”
“Like all this is a big surprise to us,” Watch said.
Cindy was anxious. “We have to get back to the castle. We have to rescue Adam and Sally before he does something horrible to them.”
Pan shook his head. “It is impossible. If I go back there, I will be killed and eaten. And you’ll never get into the castle without me to lead you.”
“Excuse me,” Cindy said angrily, “Adam and Sally risked their lives to help you. Now you had better risk your life to save them. We are going back to the castle and you are going with us. That is a fact you’d better accept right now.”
Pan appeared crushed. “Fine. But we will be walking to our deaths.” He sighed and gazed up at the sky. “Not that I would mind leaving this world right now.”
Watch nodded to the crystal necklace. “Is that the piece that we’ve heard so much about?”
Pan glanced down. “Yes. I was just about to throw it away again.”
Watch held out his hand. “May I see it?”
Pan gave it to him. “You may keep it. I would rather not have to see it again in this life.”
“Hello, Pan,” Sarshi said.
Pan frowned in her direction. “Who are you?”
“A fairy. A loyal subject. I am here to help save your kingdom.”
“How old are you?” Pan asked.
Sarshi fidgeted. “Almost ten. But I’m very powerful. Just ask Watch. I healed his leg.”
“She fixed it up better than you had,” Watch admitted as he studied the crystal necklace. “I don’t even have a limp. She also fed us.” Watch pointed out the order of the stones to Cindy. “See how the blue one is set at the bottom.”
“So what?” Cindy said. “What does it mean?”
Watch shrugged. “I don’t know. But it would look prettier if the clear stones were set on either side of the blue one.”
“But who cares whether it’s pretty or not?” Cindy asked. “All that matters is whether we can use it as a weapon to get back at Klandor and free Adam and Sally.”
Watch spoke to Pan. “Did Adam certify that this thing makes you see the opposite of what you desire?”
“I think so,” Pan mumbled.
“Yes or no?” Cindy demanded.
“Yes,” Pan replied. “It turns the whole brain upside down.”
Watch considered. “What if we could convince Klandor to gamble with us? What if when we do so, we have Sarshi secretly slip this necklace around the wizard’s neck? We might be able to trick him with his own tool.”
“What do we have to offer him that he will want to gamble with us?” Cindy asked.
Watch touched his pants pocket. “I have a thing or two with me that he might desire.”
“But I told you,” Sarshi said, “Klandor is more powerful than any fairy. I can weave an invisible net around myself, but his keen eyes will pierce it. He will see me if I try to slip the necklace around his neck, and he will know what we’re up to.”
“I’ve thought about that.” Watch fiddled with the bottom blue stone. “Still, it may be possible to distract him somehow so that you can do what you need to do. To make him believe he knows what we’re up to and have him be completely wrong.”
“What are you talking about?” Cindy asked.
Watch pulled the blue stone free. “I think the order of these crystals is important.” He held the stone up to the light. “In fact, I think the order makes the whole thing work.”