Or if another Oracle should become necessary to us, doubtless in due season she will be found.

Also we admit that we stole away this lady because we must, although she was the wife of one of you.

But if we swear this, you on your part must also swear that you will stay with us till the end of the war, making our cause your cause and, if need be, giving your lives for us in battle.

You must swear further that none of you will attempt to see or to take hence that lady who is named Guardian of the Child until we hand her over to you unharmed.

If you will not swear these things, then since no blood may be shed in this holy place, here we will ring you round until you die of hunger and of thirst, or if you escape from this temple, then we will fall upon you and put you to death and fight our own battle with Jana as best we may." "And if we make these promises how are we to know that you will keep yours ?" I interrupted.
"Because the oath that we shall give you will be the oath of the Child that may not be broken." "Then give it," I said, for although I did not altogether like the security, obviously it was the best to be had.
So very solemnly they laid their right hands upon the altar and "in the presence of the Child and the name of the Child and of all the White Kendah people," repeated after Harut a most solemn oath of which I have already given the substance.