Alka committed the pirate's answer to memory, determined to clarify it when the opportunity arose. This is important; it relates to my subsequent actions. He looked at the pirate before him, pondering what other questions to ask. Opportunities like this, to ask everything at once, were rare.
"When you became Touchers, how did Sifus control your lives?"
"I don't know. When we became Touchers, our lives were already in his hands. We must follow the rules he established. If we violate them, punishment will befall us, up to and including death."
So, they don't know... and punishments are delivered automatically.
Alka fell silent. Becoming a Toucher means your life is directly controlled. Could some trick have been played on them when they touched the Treasure?
