[act]*A slightly-off-key-and-yet-catchy-tune can be heard in the distance.
It soon transpires that the source of this ear-hurting and yet somehow compelling tune are two gypsy-folk sitting behind a covered booth in front of an elaborately carved rig.
As it draws closer, one is able to make out the lyrics of the song:
"Come one, come all, to bet your toll. What will happen? Let's all guess. And if you're wrong, be penniless"This seems to draw laughter bordering on the edge of a cackle from the two Gypsies as they stop their traveling rig.
One looks up from fiddling with some coins and proceeds to rummage in the back of the rig. She pulls out a rather small wooden crate. It is not big enough to carry both of them, so the other proceeds to strum her stringed instrument – which is probably in need of tuning.*[/act]
Firefall: [act]*from the box*[/act] Greetings to you, prospective betters! Care to take a gamble on the future? Never fear, you won’t need to travel the dreamtrails – all you have to do is weigh the chances and take a guess.
MK: [act]*strums instrument again*[/act] That’s kind of vague, you know.
Firefall: Er, what I mean is – do you have an idea of what’s going to happen in The Stone Key? Have you aired your theories?
MK: [act]*strums and starts to sing*[/act]
Do you know what is going to happen next on Elspeth’s quest? Firefall: [act]*joins in*[/act]
And are you willing to bet on thaaaaaaaaaat? [act]*they wait for applause – a lonely clap can be heard in the distance. Someone coughs*[/act]
Firefall: …
Anyways… So if you know, than this is the place! We’re the one who’ll take your bets and record them in a safe place…along with your money… which I can assure you is very safe with us.
MK: All that stuff they say about gypsies and money? Lies.
Firefall: [act]*nods*[/act] All
lies. So how do you place your bets?
MK: I'm glad you asked ;D Shall I sing it for you? *holds instrument at the ready*[act]
[/act]
Firefall: Er…
MK: *[act]looks crestfallen*[/act]
Firefall: Maybe later.
MK: :D okay!
Well lads and ladies here’s the deal: you have 30 gold coins in which to make your dealings with us.
Now – to explain the categories!
[act]*unrolls some parchment and clears throat* [/act]
The 3 categories are as follows: 
MK: Make sense?
Firefall: If not – don’t hesitate to ask us. I mean the more bets the better!
MK: Did we mention that if you are successful that those gold coins there will be converted into
points for your guild?Firefall: What more incentive does one need?
MK: Indeed :D
Firefall: So without further ado, I present you:
The Betting List1 Serious Bets1. Will Elspeth discover the last key (and what is it?)
2. Will Domick return? (Alive/Dead)
3. Will Dragon unlock her memories?
4. That Elspeth will realise the truth about Dameon's feelings for her.
5. That Ariel's parents will become known to us by name.
6. That Miryum won't appear in the entire book.
7. Elspeth will discover that Jes is alive.
8. Malik will attempt to seize control over Sutrium.
9. That TALENTED Misfits exist will become officially known across the land.
10. We shall know the true identity of the Destroyer
11. Ariel is confirmed NOT to be the Destroyer
12. Will Elspeth and Rushton sort out their issues?
13. Elspeth and Rushton will be bonded.
14. It will be revealed Elii plays a key role in Elspeth's quest.
15. The 5th will lead straight into the 6th
i.e.like a Cliffhanger ending16. Erin Druid will make a comeback.
17. Louis Larkin is revealed a relation to Lukas Seraphim
18. Louis Larkin is revealed to be Lukas Seraphim.
19. Elspeth shall visit Herder Isle.
20. Jak will perfect his Great White eating bugs.
21. Straaka, the Sadorian in love with Miryum, is not really dead.
22. Iriny is the true "one of Kasanda blood" to accompany Elspeth.
23. Swallow is the true “one of Kasanda’s blood†to accompany Elspeth.
24. Elspeth is really descended from the Gypsies.
25. Swallow kisses Elspeth again. [and maybe Rushton sees!].
26. Ariel is the one who captures Elspeth!
from blurb2 Random Event Bets1. A paintbrush will be in the book.
2. A new character will be introduced whose name starts with a K.
3. A character will make reference to a flock of birds flying over head.
4. Elspeth will go for a swim.
5. That Garth will chuckle at a Beforetimer way.
6. That Rushton will brood by a fireplace.
7. Aras and Lina will get into a catfight over Zarak.
8. Elspeth will declare her hate for Maryon.
3 Obernet “Inspired†theory Bets (aka the silly bets :P)1. That the pig/s will make a comeback.
2. That penguin will manage to find its way into the story!
3. Will Malik turn out to be Elspeth's father (lol, and the Star Wars reference XD)
4. Swallow and Gilbert become drinking buddies (or friends at least )
5. Swallow and Gilbert get together and write their much-anticipated opera.
6. Rushton will fall/be pushed into a water reservoir of some sort.
7. The
Charm School contestants will come into contact with one of the animals of their
final ranking. (Ceirwan or Roland does not count)
8. Min will assume the role of being Elspeth's lackey (after all, it was her, not Ceirwan who was 'The Man')
9. Garth manages to produce a working mobile, which Elspeth promptly gives to Ceirwan "in case of emergencies"
10. Roland and Alad come out as a couple
11. Ariel explains to Elspeth that he's been in love with her since she first stood up to him in book 1, and that this whole obliterating-the-world thing has all been in an attempt to prove himself to her.
12. Gilbert, Swallow and Rushton overhear this and get into a brawl with him for Elspeth's honour. (Perhaps in a giant mud ring - for the benefit of female readers. )
13. A character named Rebecca appears and does Rushton grievous bodily harm <--GypsyWandere aka Bec :P
--------------------
MK: May we just add this is by no means a definitive list.
Firefall: If you would like to suggest your own theory and place coin on it, please visit
this thread and indicate to us that you would like to add this to the official list.
MK: Also see what other members have written in the past pages as well. We’ll be sure to take your suggestions into consideration.
Firefall: It’s also a good place to have a chat and discuss with fellow theorists about the long awaited 5th book.
MK: I’ll just add that though you are given 30 coins to start – we believe there are other festivities running during the next few weeks to earn some more lovely coins so you can place more bets :)
Firefall: Please note that the
FINAL call for bets shall be on Thursday the 24th of January 2008.
MK: So start placing bets people – the caravan is open! :D
