Page 40 (1/2)

"Close the door," the oldit softly He and the old man stared at one another

"What now?" Seth asked

"You eat sandwiches?"

The question surprised him "Um, yes"

"How about peanut butter andsensibly He had room for a sandwich "Is there a catch?"

"You mean will the sandwich bind you to me as my eternal slave? No, just a sandwich Want one?"

"Sure"

"Come inside"

Seth followed the sentinel into the huaps between the floorboards Chips and scratches scarred the round table

"Need help?" Seth asked

"Have a seat," the old ainst the wall

Seth sat down by the table on a three-legged stool that wobbled when he shifted his weight A battered old door on a pair of sawhorses served as the counter The old man produced a jar of peanut butter and a container of marshmallow fluff, laid down a paper towel, and took two slices of white bread fro Sisters," the oldpeanut butter onto a slice

"Some de Sisters to help ht and Darkness"

The old man paused, blunt knife held motionless "That sword has a na "Brother, sounds toe Others in my family, too"

The old man wiped the knife clean on the paper towel, then started spreadingSisters do not offer guidance lightly They will require , they’ll destroy you"

"I have no other choice"

The old man set the paper towel in front of Seth and cut the sandwich in half diagonally Folding his aric words"

"Magic words?"

"I’ to the island who have no business there I try to run folks off, scare the no other choice is the only appropriate reason for visiting the Sisters I’ve been doing this a long ti anything?"

"I just ate"

Seth took a bite It tasted really good "Yuummy with peanut butter

"My specialty," the olddown on the other stool

Seth sed "So I can go to the island?"

"Even if you can cajole the Sisters into pointing you in the right direction, retrieving Vasilis won’t be easy I can tell you’re coping with a gigantic problem You sure you want to bet the far to the Sisters with the right question to fix your probleer as he chewed and sed "Unless you can tell me a better one"

The old man sat in silence as Seth finished his sandwich Seth wiped his lips on the back of his hand

"You can use the napkin," the old man said

"It has crumbs from the sandwich I didn’t want to spread them all over"

The old er problems than a few crumbs But I appreciate the courtesy"

"What now?"

"I’ll pole you over to the island There is one condition"

"What?"

"You ain per, except eat a sandwich and explainout, or I’ll have to change my approach"

Suddenly Seth understood why Patton had been vague in his letter about how to convince the sentinel "I promise"

"I’ll hold you to it" The old man stood, wadded up the paper towel, and threw it in the trash "Care for a root beer?"

"Sure"

The old man retrieved a bottle and uncapped it Seth took a sip It was rooood The old man waited while Seth drank When Seth was finished, the old man dropped the bottle in the trash and retrieved his delicately carved walking stick Seth followed the sentinel to the door

The old ive out hints"

"Okay," Seth said

"I ht be convinced if asked politely"

"Do you have any advice for ood question You know, I’ve parleyed with the Sisters before And I’ve talked to others who have returned froet too specific, but over time I’ve noticed a pattern The Sisters ask for a lot, and won’t accept ive until it hurts and then some My advice would be to stall after the first offer Given time, they will each extend an offer In the end, you can accept one of their propositions, orfrom that island who has not accepted one of the initial offers or had their first counteroffer accepted You follow?"

"I think so"

"Just a word to the wise Do what you ith ain, let’s keep this conversation between ourselves"

"You got it"

The old man opened the door and led Seth outside The satyrs had exited the truck Newel, Doren, Vanessa, and Hugo waited together expectantly

The old man noisily cleared his throat "Well, it doesn’t happen once in a month of Wednesdays, but the blasted boy bestedwhoever wants to coo hung his head