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Be careful, Grandht

I know you’re trying to help, Seth said But please stop talking

Grandma came and stood by Kendra Can he do this?

she whispered

He has a good chance He’s really brave, and pretty athletic The height et to him I would freak out

Kendra wanted to look away She did not want to see him fall But she could not take her eyes froher and higher As he juh now, he leaned precariously to one side Chills raced through Kendra as if she were the one losing her balance Seth gripped with his legs and leaned the other way, regaining his equilibriuain

Chapter Twenty

Fourteen, fifteen, sixteen Kendra glanced at Grandot to his feet, wobbling a bit, hands out to either side These tall ones shake a little, he called down

Seth leapfrogged to the next log and landed aardly, teetering too far to one side For ahis balance Every muscle in Kendra’s body clenched in horror Ar, Seth fell Kendra shrieked She could not look away

Soe-a slender, black chain with a ht at the end The chain coiled around one of Seth’s legs Instead of falling to the ground, he swung into the cliff, colliding roughly with the stone wall

For the first time Kendra had a view of Nero Built like a ht yellow lossy black body He held in a webbed hand the chain fro powerfully, Nero hauled Seth up to the ledge

They passed out of sight, and then a rope ladder unfurled fro all the way to the base of the cliff

Are you okay? Kendra yelled up at Seth

I’m fine, he answered Just had the wind knocked out ofherself to focus on grabbing the next rung, denying the ie

Shebeside the low mouth of a dark cave from which wafted a cool draft

Nero looked evenup close Tiny, sleek scales covered his sinuous body Though he was not much taller than Grandma, the thickness of his brawny physique made hi eyes that never blinked A row of sharp spines ran from the center of his forehead to the s Seth, Grands, I will assist him if he falls I ade to learn the location of your husband

His voice was suave and rich

Tell us what you have in ue popped out of his ht eye You would have nificant trifle for the proprietress of this illustrious preserve Six coffers of gold, twelve puncheons of silver, three casks of uncut gems, and a bucket of opals

Kendra looked at Grandma Could she possibly own that much treasure?

A reasonable suht no such riches with us

I can hile you retrieve the payrettably we lack the time to shuttle treasure to you, unless you would reveal Stan’s location before receiving corinned, a hideous sight that displayed double rows of needle teeth Iyour request

Grandreat caches of treasure It surprisesas I could supply would entice you to trade

Go on, he said

You are offering us a service Perhaps we should repay you with a service as well

Nero nodded thoughtfully Possible The boy has some spirit Indenture him to me for fifty years

Seth looked desperately at Grandma

Grandma frowned I hope to leave the possibility of future business open, therefore I do not wish to leave you feeling slighted The boy has spirit, but little ability You would assu him as a servant, and find yourself yoked to his incoh education than he would to yours through service

Your candor is appreciated, Nero said, although you have in to wonder whether you have anything of value to offer If not, our discussion will not end well

You speak of value, Grandma said I ask, what value is treasure to a wealthy troll? The more riches he possesses, the less each new acquisition ioldI also question what value a frail human servant would have to a master infinitely more wise and capable? Consider the situation

We want you to render a service of value to us, so we cannot do for ourselves You should expect no less

I agree Take care Your words are spreading a net at your feet A lethal edge was creeping into his voice

True, unless I am trained to deliver a service of extraordinary value Have you ever received a e?

Are you serious? The idea has always struck me as ridiculous

The idea seeather the most can afford certain co these luxuries is the indescribable release and relaxation of a e at the hands of one skilled in the art

And you claim to be skilled in this so-called art?

Trained by a true reat as to be nearly beyond purchase The only person in the world who has received a full e at my hands is the caretaker hiive you a fullevery muscle in your body The experience would redefine your understanding of pleasure

Nero shook his head It will take randiose promises to persuade me

Consider my offer in perspective, Grande You will receive yours at no cost,would it take you to ascertain Stan’s location?

A fewht you have never encountered in all your long years A siain

Nero licked an eye Granted, I have never received a s I have never done,the I a as you describe