Continuing along that thread... ahem... The contract with the wreath and lead band was phrased in such a way (I can't remember the exact wording) that always made me wonder what would happen if Asterion chose to go out in tongue valley by himself, not at the behest of the master. Since the contract forbids the master from forcing Asterion directly, or making another person force him, to go to the valley.
If Asterion went to the valley out of his own volition, due to some very important need, would that still amputate the master's arm?