They sat among the pines, their faces masks of pain or tiredness. The only one who seemed happy and fresh was Ce´Nedra. She started shouting orders to Silk and Hettar and they wisely chose not to tell her that the instructions were unnecessary. They all knew what needed to be done, after all.

Garion would have marked it to her if it was him who the orders were delivered to. Her voice alone made him cringed. In certain way, seeing her being bossy with everyone was a comfort. It was somewhat adorable too. Her body seemed so tiny for that impetuous and fiery soul.

"Maybe you should cover with a blanket or something"

The voice rang through his fading consciousness. Startled, Garion opened his eyes and realized he had almost dozed off. He caught the worried and hesitating expression on Ce´Nedra´s small face, but it soon changed into a lofty scowl.

"If you froze to dead, I will be left without a servant."

"I'm not your servant…" Garion retorted, feeling a bit disappointed that his voice sounded so weak

Ce´Nedra seemed to notice this as well and her expression softened.

"Dinner is almost ready" She said, all edge gone from her voice "Maybe you should eat before going to sleep"

Garion liked that tone of voice. He also liked her eyes when the regal façade disappeared. He liked her. It came as a total surprised, but the weariness he felt forced all barriers and prejudices down. He smiled at her and the effect of such simple gesture was amazing. Ce´Nedra´s eyebrows shut up in an expression of absolute surprise and then her cheeks blushed a bit. She frowned and then relaxed. A timid little smile danced on her face for a moment and Garion was amazed by her beauty.

"Here, let me help you" She offered suddenly and they both moved slowly towards the fire place, where the others sat in a circle.

The food…was hideous. It looked as it was supposed to: a stew; still it tasted as a bitter mixture of burnt meat and watery gruel. Garion spitted his part to one side and realized he had not being the only one to do that. Only Aunt Pol had enough self control to keep the hideous thing on her mouth. She swallowed it all in one gulp, shuddering a moment before putting the plate down.

"So, how is it?" Ce´Nedra beamed, returning from where Belgarath sat, away from the others. She had put a plate of the steaming poison next to the sorcerer. Now she sat next to Aunt Pol and stared at her, smiling broadly.

"Uh…" His aunt said, glancing at the plate on her lap as if it had insulted her somehow. "Well…just how much salt did you put on it, dear?"

"A lot" Ce´Nedra said proudly "I heard salt keeps food from going bad. So, as I did so much quantity, knowing we wouldn't eat it all tonight, I put salt on it so it would hold on for a few days."

Aunt Pol sighed.

"Taste it, dear."

Ce´Nedra shrugged and took a bit. Her eyes filled with tears immediately.

"Nedra!" She whispered covering her mouth with one hand as she swallowed.

The others stared at her expectantly. The tiny princess recovered her composure rather fast.

"Well? Aren't you going to eat?" She asked, clearing her throat.

And then to everyone's horror, she took another bite of the hideous stew, chewing on it slowly but steadily.

Silk jumped up.

"I think I heard something" he whispered urgently. "I will go and take look"

The prince of Drasnia was soon out of sight. Barak clumsily stood up, favoring one leg.

"Wait! You will probably need a hand"

Hettar was about to follow when he saw poor Mandorallen swallowing in small gulps the stew. Evidently he was too much of a gentleman to refuse a meal offered by a noble woman.

"I think your horse is groaning" the algar informed him in a quiet voice. "I will go check him out. I may need a hand with him."

Mandorallen put the plate down almost immediately and stood with some effort.

"My lady, I have greatly enjoyed this marvelous…eh….thing. But now mine oldest companion needs mine support on a moment of pain. And I shall be there for him, as he hast being with me in so many occasions during hard and impetuous battle. As in Arendia is said, a knight is one with his horse."

As he talked, Hettar had hurried off, Ce´Nedra´s face growing more and more red with her frustration. Mandorallen seemed to notice as well. He bowed clumsily and left.

Garion, seeing all his friends deserting him, throw himself on the ground as the knight spoke. He rolled and feigned being asleep. He could see from between his narrowed eyelids Aunt Pol´s face on him, one of her eye brows up, but Ce´Nedra seemed to fall for the trick. The little princess sighed and scowled deeply. After a moment she turned with eyes full of hope to his aunt. Pol smiled gently.

"It is quite disgusting, dear."

Ce´Nedra sighed again and then threw the spoon violently inside the filled casserole. But then a roughish smile appeared on that tiny face.

"Men are silly sometimes, aren't they?"

"Oh, yes, dear" Aunt Pol agreed, smiling faintly and glancing at Garion. "They really can be"

"I cooked, so you clean" Ce´Nedra stated merrily, throwing the soap at him as she hurried away laughing at Garion´s frustrated stare.