The tension in the cavern spiked as Valthorix's nostrils flared dangerously close to your sleeve. Thinking fast, you threw your head back with a dramatic 'AH-CHOOO!' that echoed off the vaulted ceiling. The violent motion sent coins flying from your sleeve in a glittering arc, scattering across the obsidian floor with a symphony of metallic pings.

Valthorix recoiled instinctively from the sudden outburst, his massive wings half-spreading in alarm. A shower of ancient dust rained from the cavern roof where your sneeze had disturbed centuries of accumulated debris. The abacus gave one final terrified click before going completely still.

'By the molten heart of the earth!' the dragon bellowed, shaking dust from his crest. 'Must you mortals always be so... moist?' He wrinkled his scaled snout in disgust as you dabbed at your nose with a monogrammed handkerchief (which conveniently obscured your face as you kicked two remaining coins deeper into the pile).

Regaining your composure, you bowed deeply. 'A thousand pardons, Your Incandescence. The mountain air...' You gestured vaguely toward the volcanic vents that lined the chamber. The subterranean heat made your stolen coins burn against your thigh where they'd lodged in your pocket during the commotion.

Valthorix settled back onto his haunches, eyeing you with renewed suspicion. The scattered coins began rolling mysteriously back toward the main hoard as if drawn by invisible magnetism - one particularly persistent golden orb doing an entire circuit around your left boot before joining its brethren.

'Your proposal intrigues me,' the dragon rumbled unexpectedly, tapping a claw against his chin. 'But before we discuss leasing rubies, explain why my hoard's weight measurements don't match the volume calculations.' He nudged a massive set of brass scales that looked suspiciously like it had been recently tampered with.