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"Our needs are simple," Berna said "We principally care about the price you pay We only aid those who are willing to prove how highly they value our assistance"

"Don’t explain so ," Berna said

He reested they would each make a proposal "Is there any other choice?" Seth asked

"We can give you three trials," Wilna said orant your request"

"What are the trials?" Seth asked

"You ree in order to know," Wilna replied

"The trials are rigged," Orna blurted "Nobody ever survives They’re just for our entertainment"

"Orna!" Wilna shrieked

"They are!" Orna protested

"Orna, really," Berna chastised

"I’d take trials over killing a friend," Seth said "Any other offers?"

Wilna gave him a hard stare "Did somebody tell you to expect multiple offers?"

"You’d know," Seth said

Wilna scrunched her nose "The sentinel He should know better"

"The boy is disarh out of you, sister!" Wilna spat, "This negotiation is on sandy ground Seth, you do not get to pick and choose Do you accept the bargain offered by Berna? Yes or no"

"No"

"Do you want the trials?"

"No"

Wilna nodded at Orna

"What?" Orna asked, still hurt fro reprimanded "Now I can speak? Are you sure?"

"Go ahead," Wilna said

Orna cleared her throat "In return for information on how to retrieve Vasilis, one year after you acquire the sword, you will return to us as our lifelong servant"

"Too generous," Berna scoffed

"I like him," Orna said

Seth considered the offer Would a lifeti the world? Probably But what if he could get a better deal?

"Can I make an offer?" Seth asked

"We will hear a proposition from you only if you turn down Orna," Wilna said

"Take the offer," Orna said "You look too ot food"

Seth pondered Even if he succeeded in recovering Vasilis, he would probably be killed when Zzyzx opened The chances were that he would not live to carry out this sentence of servitude Accepting the deal would guarantee access to the sword

But what if he sooal was not to fail Patton had dealt with the Singing Sisters without beco slave He ains

"I turn down the offer," Seth said, going with his deepest instincts

Orna pouted

Wilna glowered "If you do not have a better alternative, then ill have to terht," Seth said "Part of the reason you’re asking for so much from me is because Vasilis is so valuable"

"Yes," Berna said "The worth of the prize influences the price"

"Hoould you like Vasilis?" Seth asked "Is that your offer?" Wilna questioned "I’m just curious," Seth said

"It would be quite a trophy," Orna said, "but you want it much more than we do"

"No hints," Wilna hushed

"It would cost ic sword," Seth said "That’s part of the point, right?"

"Partly," Orna said

Seth could tell that the sword alone would not be enough He tried to think what else would be hard to give up He tried to iht please them What could they use?

"An offer," Wilna stated flatly

"Okay," Seth said, rubbing his hands "Let’sVasilis, I will bring it here to you And I’ll bring you a wraith, to use however you like" Orna nodded, quietly urging hi the sword, I will serve as your champion, to retrieve whatever item you desire"

"What say you, sisters?" Orna asked briskly

"This is Patton all over again," Berna er," Wilna said "He denied our proposals Only one option remains The boy must die"

"Yours is not the only voice here," Orna carped "Being the pushiest does not make your opinion matter more You de was that? What say you, Berna?"

Seth held his breath as Berna studied hiifts: the sword, a wraith, and one of our choosing Consider the possibilities"

"I am inclined to accept as well," Orna said "Is it unanimous, sister, or shall we outvote you?"

"Very well," Wilna declared bitterly, casting a venolare at Orna She turned to Seth "We will accept your dubious proposition, upon one condition You e the terms of our proposal to anyone, or share the particulars of our other offers"

"Agreed," Seth said

"Gro us a covenant knife"

A stubby troll waddled over, an eer with a black hilt rested on the cushion

"Let the knife taste your blood," the three wo in unison, eyes focused on the puddle

Seth picked up the knife and pricked the side of his thumb The blade was so keen that he hardly felt the incision, but when he pulled the knife away, blood oozed from the tiny slit

"We vow to show you how to find Vasilis," the sisters chanted in an eerie harmony "Knife in hand, make your vow!"