dishonor to me and to my father. This is more than a matter of pride,” Hasheth added quietly. “I wish to aid my father, but will he regard the words of a man without honor?” “You might be able to leave the School of Stealth without dishonor,” Danilo said thoughtfully. “I do not see how,” the boy replied, his face glum. The nobleman grinned. “Barter much, Hasheth?” “That is generally a task for merchants and servants, but I am familiar with its principles. One begins by suggesting an impossibly high price, which is countered by a equally absurd low figure. Eventually both parties settle somewhere in the middle.” “Precisely,” Danilo said. 'This is what you do: You and a servant will take this man's body to the assassins' guildhall. If I understand the rules, his death earns not only the sash rank, but guild membership and a position at the School of Stealth. Demand all three. That's the high bid.“ ”But I did not kill him,“ Hasheth protested. ”This is barter, remember? What place does honesty have in making a bargain?“ A touch of humor lit the boy's eyes. ”Go on.“ ”The guildmasters will counter with a low bid, perhaps offer to pay you this man's bloodprice. You merely sneer and toy with that priceless scarab of yours,“ Danilo suggested, casting a covetous glance at the boy's ring. ”Then, after a suitable pause, you suggest that you might be willing to give up the position at the School of Stealth.“ ”The guildmasters won't be satisfied with that,“ Hasheth protested. ”It is true that they will not willingly make a man of my years a master assassin, but if they indeed plot against my father, they cannot allow me into the guild.“ ”Exactly,“ Danilo said patiently. ”Guild membership is the main issue, and most of their attention will be focused on it. When they release you from your commitment to the School of Stealth, they'll be thinking of you in terms of a potential master assassin, not a failed student.“ ”Go on,“ urged Hasheth, a crafty smile lifting the corners of his mouth. ”They'll release you from the school and make a counteroffer. Since they can't have you poking around in guild business, all they can offer is the shadow sash itself. You pretend to think it over, then casually observe that an assassin of such high rank must be allowed into the guild, so that her activities can be monitored and her fees properly tithed. Emphasize 'her' subtly."
“Ahhh.” A slow, admiring smile crept across Hasheth's face. “That will befuddle them.” Danilo grinned. “That's right. You'll change the direction of negotiations abruptly, gaining an advantage through surprise. Introduce your 'servant'-that's you, Arilyn-as the woman who overcame the shadow sash. Repeat your demand for rank and guild membership for her-and imply you were speaking for Arilyn all along. Chances are they'll be so relieved to be rid of you that they'll embrace Arilyn. Figuratively speaking, my dear,” Danilo hastily assured the half-elf. “But what of my assignment? I can hardly champion a woman I was ordered to kill,” the boy pointed out. The nobleman raised one eyebrow. “If the guildmasters bring that up, remind them that you were released from the school. Barter met is bargain sealed, as they say hereabouts. You'll have gotten the better of them, and they'll probably admire you for it.” Hasheth threw back his head and let out a peal of delighted laughter. “You think like a southerner: devious and subtle. It would seem that I have misjudged you.” “Everyone does,” Arilyn said dryly. “That's why he's such an effective agent.” “Lord Thann is a Harper, as well?” The young man's brow furrowed as he thought this over. “A nobleman can join such a group?” “Even a pasha's son,” Arilyn said with a smile. “In time.” Hasheth nodded thoughtfully. “I might like that.” Danilo folded his arms and smiled broadly. “Then perhaps it is time for you and me to barter. Tell your father all that has happened. Tell him that Arilyn and I will seek proof that the guilds threaten his power. Ask him to hear what we say and judge for himself.” “That is your high bid?” scoffed Hasheth. “You interrupted