The One With The Serpent Tongue

Shadow of an Echo

Chapter Seven

Truth is a Bitter Pill

They docked the ship in the harbor of Val Alorn, the capital city, where there was horse drawn carriages waiting to take them to the palace. So far Galahad had only received a few mistrusting looks, but he knew that was just because he had positioned himself in the middle of the group. There was definitely a reason his first trip to Cherek had been so short, and why he took to Silk far quicker than he had warmed up to Barak.

When they reached the palace he heard Garion's sharp intake of breath, and he couldn't help but silently agree with the boy. The palace was like nothing he had ever seen before in any city, and it wasn't because of grandeur, it was because whole wings of the large building were falling in to the point the elements had to be getting inside. Why would a palace be built so large just to let it fall to rubble?

"What one king builds, another lets fall. Cherek is divided into Clans with many civil wars happening between them in the past. When a new king from a different clan comes into power, he lets the old rot. King Anheg is my cousin; I inherited his title of earl and clan chief when he became king because you can't be both." Galahad heard Barak's explanation from his spot and couldn't quite stop the shake of his head at the sheer idiocy. He was at least wise enough to keep his mouth shut in present company, but he couldn't help being a little biased, the Chereks didn't like him because of an ancestry he didn't have, wasn't he entitled to a little mutual bias?

He was relieved when they finally were allowed out of the carriages and escorted inside. It was cold out, snow was on the ground, and he was far more serpentine than the typical human was, he preferred warmth to cold any day. Putting his hand reassuringly on Garion's shoulder like he had done in Sendaria they followed the group inside, and he was surprised to see them greeted by three women with a bearing that could only come from being queen.

"Who are they?" Garion asked quietly.

"The only one I recognize is the small blonde one, she is Queen Porenn of Drasnia, I met her not long before I came to Faldor's farm with you and Pol. The others I am not so sure about." Galahad admitted; he really didn't like not knowing the answers.

"The dark haired one is Islena, Anheg's wife," Silk supplied as he came out of nowhere to stand on Galahad's other side. "The third is Silar of Algaria. I bet they are here to take us to where their husbands are meeting."

Silk's prediction turned out to be true as they were led to a large hall with five thrones, four of which were occupied. "The fat one in red is my uncle Rhodar; he is the one with the reindeer banner. The one in black is Cho-Hag of Algaria, no surprise he has the horse banner. The one with no crown dressed in grey, is Brand the Rivan warder, he has the sword banner. Anheg is the one greeting Fulrich." Silk supplied them with more information.

"They do know this place would be a haven for spies, right?" Galahad asked the actual graduate from the academy.

"I don't know for sure, Porenn actually controls the spy network, not Rhodar. He might know, but whether or not he has said anything is up for question, and unfortunately queens aren't given much say in the Cherek circle of politics." Silk admitted.

"I doubt they will listen to me, none of the kings has ever met me yet, do you think they would listen to you?" Galahad asked. He was worried about what might be overheard if they didn't get some modicum of privacy.

"Worth a try," Silk agreed and he went up to speak to his uncle under his breath. He didn't want to announce to the chamber why he was concerned. If he proclaimed his intentions just a bit too forcefully it would inform any potential spies that they would be discussing things worth listening to, the less temptation for spying the better.

Less than five minutes later Rhodar was asking Anheg if there was a different room they could use. The other king had seen Silk come up to Rhodar, and anyone with half a brain knew the king's nephew had a reputation as one of the best spies to ever graduate from the national academy. If he was concerned, there was a reason to be.

"I know a room we can use." Anheg announced, "Please follow me it's not far." Anheg seemed to direct this at King Cho-Hag, which baffled Galahad, until he saw the slim Algarian warrior come out of the shadows and help the king to his feet. The man continued to support Cho-Hag out of the hall and towards the meeting chamber Anheg was leading them to.

Galahad gently held Garion back from following Belgarath and Polgara out of the room until Silk caught up with them again. "What is wrong with Cho-Hag?" Galahad asked in concern falling into step behind the others.

"An illness when he was young severely weakened his legs, normally this would be very bad for a king, but since the Algars are a cavalry race he is fine. Once you get him on a horse there is no one stronger than him on the battlefield. The warrior helping him is his adopted son Hettar, rumor has it he has killed more Murgos with his blades than anyone else in Aloria, and having seen him fight I have half a mind to believe it." Silk explained.

As they reached the meeting room, Polgara was waiting for them, or more specifically Garion. "This is going to be a long council, you will probably get bored before it's over, why don't you have Barak show you the Armory?" She said in a tone that suggested it wasn't a choice.

"I want to be there Aunt Pol, I won't be in the way, I promise." Garion asked, sick of being forced out of things.

"I don't think that a very good idea Garion." She tried again and Galahad found himself stepping in.

"Pol, I think it will be alright, I will keep an eye on him inside." He said aloud for Garion's benefit. Silently he thought to her, "You knew this day would come, you can't keep the truth from him forever, he is a smart lad, but if you keep sheltering him he will find out some other way. Do you really want him finding out a mixed up version of the truth from someone else, rather than having him hear it from us directly? Give him a chance Polgara!" Galahad locked eyes with her, this was one fight with he wasn't willing to yield on, and eventually the force of his gaze made her turn away from him.

"Oh alright, but you better take care of him, this is a lot for anyone to handle even him." Polgara replied in his mind, but to the others she just sighed and said, "If you really insist on being there I can't stop you, but just remember I warned you it would be boring, if you get restless you will just have to live with it."

XXXXXX

"The West is crawling with Murgos, Belgarath, even the Nadraks and Thulls have been spotted in larger numbers, and the seas are full of Mallorean ships. You can't lie to us and say something big isn't happening. Are you going to just tell us or do we have to find a way to force it out of you!" Rhodar and Anheg had been arguing with the immortal man for what seemed like ages and they had gotten nowhere, the other kings had the good sense to shut up after the first twenty minutes, letting the two more talkative rulers try to wear him down. They had started out with less exact questions, getting more to the point as they went on. The last question was the most direct one and was said out of pure frustration, they normally had more diplomacy.

"Father, it is their world too, they need to know. We have already started circulating the old stories again it will be safe enough." Polgara had finally had enough of Belgarath's stalling and turned towards the kings to answer their very valid worries.

"First off, we are aware of the excessive Angarak movements, but we truly believe they are not ready for war yet, this is simply a distraction. All of their leaders are working together for once in their lives, this may not last long, but they are covering for the thief to make it back into their territories. Whether this is to steal the Orb from him, or help him keep it, we do not know yet. We were following their trail when King Fulrich had his men corral us. All you need to know is that the only reason war will come is if we can somehow get the Orb back into the west, at least a war amongst human fighters any way. If Zedar manages to get the Orb to Torak we will have much more to worry about than a few extra Angaraks." Polgara informed them seriously and Galahad heard his surrogate nephew draw in a quick breath as he realized just how important their quest was going to be.

"Thank you Polgara for telling us the truth, but I have a question, how do you plan on getting the Orb back? Even if you find Zedar before he crosses the border into Angarak lands no one can pick up the Orb unless they are of the Rivan line or have a purely innocent soul. I know of no man or boy that fits that description." Brand the Rivan warder spoke up; he had the most guilt to bear for letting the orb be stolen.

"Zedar found a way to steal it, so we will find a way to get it back." Polgara assured.

"Polgara is there something you know that you are not telling us?" Anheg asked with a piercing gaze at the ageless sorceress.

"Yes, but there is a reason we haven't told you." Galahad did not know why she told the truth, but always knew Pol had a problem with lying if there wasn't a very good reason for it.

Anheg's gaze moved from Polgara's icy gray ones to look at the only companion that hadn't been introduced to the group, Garion, who sat in the protective custody of the missing Brother. "I would like to speak with you in my study later, privately, if that is alright Polgara?" Anheg requested his eyes never moving from Garion.

Garion was not stupid and Galahad immediately saw the look of realization pass across his face, the boy knew they were going to be discussing him. "Garion, I know what you are thinking, but don't get involved. This is not the time or the place for you to find out, when the time comes I will tell you everything you need to know. Do you trust me?" Galahad spoke calmly to the boy, not wanting to attract anyone's attention to their conversation, but knowing if he didn't say something now Garion would probably try to follow Polgara later, and in the middle of a crowded palace where anyone could overhear his surprise was not a good place for him to learn the truth of his destiny.

"But Uncle, why can't I know now, what could possibly be so big you have to hide it from me?" Garion demanded to know, and Galahad felt he had a right to.

"I understand how you feel Garion, believe me Garion I have been there, trust me when I say you will not thank the person that tells you the truth. The truth is not an easy answer and you will be better off just watching and learning. Just know you should learn all you can, don't worry about the why yet." Galahad knew he made Garion into the biggest bloodhound possible with that statement, but he didn't like lying and he was trying to protect Garion.

"Alright, I will do as you say but please keep your word. I want to know everything good or bad." Garion replied before turning back to the discussion with the kings.

"What should we do while we wait for you to finish your quest?" The strong words coming from Cho-Hag's mouth did not match his weakened body, but it had a soft undertone from all his years calming skittish horses.

"Get your armies back into shape, we might need a distraction, or in the worst case there will be war in the future. Have your men ready to fight and get as many women as you can trained up in battle medicine. We want as many of your soldiers to come back to their homes alive as we can manage." Belgarath answered this one, as unfortunately some of the kings might have trouble taking military advice from a woman, even one of Polgara's status.

"That will be easy enough to do, anything else?" Anheg asked, as the host king he had more power at this meeting.

"Well we will need passage through your countries without anymore summons without very good reason, we are on a time constraint and any time we take up with talking to you would be better used finding the Orb. Oh, and Cho-Hag I need Hettar to come with us." Belgarath told them, his eyes moving to the lean warrior that had helped Cho-Hag walk to the meeting room.

"No, I am needed here!" The warrior's voice was even softer than the king's, but there was no doubting his sincerity.

"Hettar, as your king and father, I say go with them. I never meant for you to spend your whole life being my walking stick, I will manage with another if you are needed for their quest." Cho-hag ordered his adoptive son.

"But, father, a different Algar would do just fine; my place is here with you." Hettar argued right back.

"That is not true." Belgarath interrupted, "Or has there been another Sha-Dar born that I don't know about?"

"Hettar is this true?" Cho-Hag asked and at his hesitant nod he gushed, "My son a horse speaker, why didn't you tell me!"

"I didn't think it was important." Hettar answered wincing at his father's sputtering.

"Not important, Hettar you know a Sha-Dar is not found even once a decade. Now I know you must go with them, your family and country is behind you, we will have to celebrate this when I return." Cho-Hag's tone made Hettar realize arguing anymore would be useless.

"Alright Belgarath, you win," Hettar finally agreed, and Galahad mentally took another name off his list of people they needed to gather. The Horse Lord had been found.

As much as Galahad attempted to keep Garion from getting into trouble, he underestimated just how badly Garion wanted to know things. Thus when the boy came rocketing into his room shaking and half crying, Galahad was at a loss at what to do. "You followed your aunt didn't you?"

"Yes," Garion replied through his tears.

"What did you hear?" Galahad was concerned that Anheg had revealed just one thing too much, as smart as Garion was, he just wasn't ready for the whole truth just yet. It was too early.

"King Anheg knows doesn't he?" Garion lifted his head and nearly shouted through his tears. "Other people know the truth and I don't! It's my life and I want to know! Please tell me, Uncle, the mark on my hand, Aunt Pol told me it was a birthmark, why should this mark mean so much?" Here Garion opened up his hand revealing the silvery mark left by the Orb's legacy. "King Anheg saw it, and he knows, even when I don't."

Galahad just sighed and made a mental note to yell at Polgara later for not noticing Garion was eavesdropping. "I will answer your question Garion, and I will tell you the truth, but I really don't think now is a good time. I told you before I wouldn't lie to you, and I won't, but this is bigger than you realize. Are you sure you want to know, think hard Garion, is this what you want?"

"Yes, Uncle, I want to know. Tell me please?" Garion begged, tears still soaking his eyes.

Taking Garion's hand in his own, he covered the silver mark up, leaning closer to the scared boy he whispered in his ear. "Your father was a very important person, from a very important bloodline. Polgara has been protecting and hiding your family for generations, just so you would be born unharmed. This bloodline is so old and important that the birthmark that you have from your family is mentioned in quite a few texts, and in the prophecies we have all been following it is you who they were written for, and it will be you who has to finish what was started. The only comfort I can give you is you are not alone, other names are written in the prophecies, names written in the stars just as brightly as your own that will help you along the path. In the end it will be you though who has to end it. Your safety is now in jeopardy because I told you this, when we give you an order you had better listen, it might just save your life. Those enemies you were warned about are stronger and closer than ever."

"What is the bloodline?" Garion asked as the magnitude of his destiny was thrust upon him; even the small amount Galahad told him was overwhelming.

"That is something I will not tell you. I have risked your life enough just by telling you this much, you will only know more when the time is right not before." Galahad refused to let Garion know he was destined to be the Godslayer that was just too much.

"What are the other names you mentioned, what is mine?" Garion let his innate curiosity take over the questioning, he was working on pure autopilot not sure if he really wanted the answers but unable to move on without them.

"I will tell you the prophecy names, but not who they really are, that would put them in danger too, their names are; the One With The Serpent Tongue, the Horse Lord, the Guide, the Dreadful Bear, the Mother of the Race Who Died, the Bowman, the Knight Protector, the Man with Two Lives, the Eternal Man, the Queen of the World, the Blind Man, the Woman of the Roses, and the Child of Light." Galahad decided to give Garion the less intimidating of his titles, he was the Child of Light, but he was also the Godslayer.

"I am the Child of Light?" Garion figured out from the process of elimination, none of the other names fit him.

"Yes, but I wouldn't say that too loudly, or in the wrong place." Galahad warned again.

"Just how dangerous is this?" Garion was getting impatient with all the warnings, he wasn't a child anymore, and he knew how to keep his mouth shut.

"Half the people of this world would kill us without question if there was even a hint about the true nature of our quest floating around. That is why we are so careful about disguises and security." Galahad replied bluntly, knowing if he didn't nip the irritation in the bud, Garion would begin to rebel putting him in an immeasurable amount of danger.

Garion's eyes widened at that, he took in a long breath, held it in, exhaled, and finally answered. "Well you did warn me I would regret asking, but thank you Uncle Galahad."

"Listen, Garion, there is far more to everything we do than meets the eye, you will have to learn to fly before you are taught to walk. We can help you only as far as we are allowed, I believe you should know as much as possible about what is coming, but it is simply too much for you to take at one time. Trust me, please, give me that much that you only ask the questions that are most important to you." Galahad explained seriously, knowing either Garion would be able to handle it or he wouldn't.

"I understand," Garion mumbled, his mind overwhelmed already, "I finally get what you have been warning me about. I am not ready yet am I?" He shook his head gently, but laid it back down on Galahad's knee, "but I will be."

Galahad heard the final words muttered by Garion as his breathing evened out and the protective realm of sleep came over him. Galahad knew he had been right to give him just that much, Garion understood, and he wore himself out making that connection, but it was finally there. He knew why they wouldn't tell him certain things and that would make the future go much smoother.

Picking up the near comatose boy, a task made difficult by the fact they were nearly the same height already, he laid Garion gently on the bed and after making sure he was comfortable Galahad left to find Polgara, the sorceress had some explaining to do. Why hadn't she known Garion was there?

"So are you going to explain how you didn't know our nephew was listening to you and Anheg?" Galahad had his arms crossed over his chest and was leaning mock casually against the wall of Polgara's quarters when the sorceress returned to them.

"Garion was there?" Polgara seemed honestly shocked.

"Yes he was, and he heard enough to make him curious, the little I told him made him cry himself to sleep. Polgara what could have possibly been so important that you didn't know he was there?" Galahad was confused. Polgara was the most alert of all of them usually, what had distracted her?

"Anheg wants to keep Garion in Val Alorn, and I have to admit I am tempted, he would be safer here than wherever we are likely to end up when we follow Zedar." Polgara admitted.

"Pol we both know it is not that simple, Garion will soon be the biggest target in the West. If we succeed and somehow get the Orb back, the Angaraks will stop looking for us and focus on him, not to mention we may need him to get the Orb back to the west. He is much safer with us than with strangers, and he will have to face his destiny sooner or later, that might be the key to ending this without bloodshed." Galahad argued.

Polgara just stared him down, but couldn't hold it for long she knew he was right. "Alright, Garion stays with us, but how are we going to protect him? I already failed him once, what if it happens again?" Her grief still ran very deep from the time she was tricked which cost Garion his whole family in one night.

Galahad then did a very unusual thing, he went over and hugged the women he though of like a true sister, both of them had the same mother in Poledra. "Will you stop beating yourself up over that, any one of us would have fallen for the same trick. Come on snap out of it, your grief is clouding your judgment. Garion is strong, smart, and old enough he doesn't need a babysitter anymore, but he could use an Aunt. He will soon be overwhelmed with the truth and will need help to put the pieces of his life back together, now come on and lets go tell Anheg that Garion stays with us, then we can track down your father and decide the best way to continue our quest. We could be gone by daylight tomorrow and no one will know where we are heading." Galahad had stood by for too long while she punished herself, he had heard about the deep depression she had fallen into with the death of her twin, and it seemed like loosing so many at once had brought a shadow of that former pain back to haunt her.

"I think you are right." Polgara replied, pulling herself back together bit by bit. She was a strong woman, but three thousand years of history would weigh down the soul of a saint. "Let's go find the Old Wolf."

XxXxXxXxX

True to Galahad's prediction, they were on their way out of the palace on foot before the sun had peaked above the horizon. They would reach the harbor where their boat was moored when no other human was awake yet, and the few animals meandering around where either ready for sleep or not yet fully awake.

Garion was still blinking the sleep from his eyes as they left Val Alorn behind, he was standing shoulder to shoulder with Galahad peering sightlessly across the white tipped waves created by the ship's bow as they slipped through the steely predawn water. "We are heading to Arendia then?" Garion finally asked after a long, not too awkward, silence.

"Yes, we will be picking up two of our companions there." Galahad responded, avoiding the inevitable why that would come out of Garion's mouth.

"Which two?" Garion asked having made sure to remember all the names Galahad told him the other day.

"The Bowman, and the Knight Protector," Galahad replied, adjusting his own well used, but finely crafted, bow onto a slightly more comfortable spot across his back.

"I have never seen you use your bow before, why is that?" Garion asked curiously, Galahad's fidgeting had brought the weapon to his attention.

"I only use it to hunt, and protect us, I don't like wasting arrows." Galahad explained that much. He had never been one for target practice or tournaments; his bow was a weapon for killing. He did not like it to be made out as some toy that was how innocent people got hurt.

"That makes sense, but if we have you along, why do we need this Bowman?" Garion was admittedly confused with the seemingly extra person.

"Remember me telling you how the Drasnian spies earned their names?" He paused and waited for Garion's nod, "Well this is similar. The prophecies use the attribute of the person that is the most descriptive of them. Some are more obscure than others are. The name Bowmen is giving us a clue where we can find him. If you are looking for a good archer, than we need an Asturian Arend, they are the best with a bow. Just like we needed Hettar who has a gift with horses, the Algars are known for their horses, so when the prophecies named a horse lord they knew where to look." Galahad explained.

"Since you have told me who Hettar is, can you tell me who everyone else is?" Garion begged, wanting something to think about as they rode.

"Garion why don't you try to figure it out, I gave you one answer free and clear, but honestly, his was not hard to figure out from the names I told you." Galahad challenged.

"Well I can guess you are the One With The Serpent Tongue," Garion grinned at that, knowing that was the only name he could possibly be. Galahad just nodded in the affirmative. "I am going to say Mr. Wolf is the Eternal Man," Garion added on, still not quite able to bring himself to call him Belgarath or even grandfather just yet.

"Alright you are on the right path, any more guesses?" Galahad encouraged Garion's reasoning skills.

"Not right now, but I will keep watching." Garion assured his Uncle, finally having something to distract himself with during the long voyage to come.

The trip to northern Arendia took quite a bit of time, and during that time, Garion had his fifteenth birthday. He got a few useful gifts from the companions, and one that was a bit out of place, a circular silver medallion with a carving of a sword piercing a crown. When Garion put it on it made Galahad reach up to his own pendant, his was also silver, and carved into the metal was a snake wrapped around a dagger. These were no mere ornaments, they were focuses for their Will, and even though Garion had not used his Will yet, they all knew it was there. The way Garion was now reminded Galahad of himself, back in his younger days, when he did accidental magic. It was never anything big or attention grabbing, but it was there.

When they reached the destroyed capital of the former duchy of Vo Wacune it was time to stop and wait, the Bowman would be coming to them while they were here.

Garion had been going off by himself for at least a couple hours everyday since they had arrived in the ruined city of Vo Wacune. Well at least Garion thought he was alone, Galahad was making good on his prophetic name and had been tailing him on his adventures. With the knowledge Garion now had he was now an ever growing target for Grolims. Galahad did not expect to see a high-powered Grolim here but it was best not to get in the habit of letting Garion wonder off.

The only problem he had while tailing Galahad is a snake is a cold-blooded creature and it was cold and slushy outside, as it was still early in the spring thaw, especially here where the overgrown trees blocked a good majority of the sunlight from melting the snow. No breed of snake could withstand these cold temperatures for long without hibernation. Well a Basilisk might, but he was not about to try that form here, too risky, while he was sure he could manage the transformation, he was not about to put the companions at risk. He had yet to find a way to become a Basilisk without the poison stare, in his attempts it just made him blind while in the form of the huge snake. The only thing he could do was hide buried in Garion's cloak, in the smallest form he possessed, and hope the young man didn't feel him through his tunic.

He knew he didn't have to take the form of a snake, but he preferred it, and after spending so long as one he didn't like going for too long without transforming. He knew that would only make the hiss in his voice more pronounced for awhile, but he really didn't care, the snake form just felt too good to him.

He let Garion have the time he needed to figure things out for himself, he had been hit with so much lately a little time alone wasn't too much to ask, and Galahad did feel a bit guilty for intruding on Garion's private time. While Galahad knew it wasn't safe to let Garion be by himself, he understood the need, so he just kept a silent vigil and didn't interfere or interact.

This day Galahad felt restless in his observation. He had a niggling feeling they would add the Bowman to the little group very soon. Belgarath had the task of locating the families that would produce the people they needed, so Galahad honestly didn't have a clue who they were looking for. It wouldn't be safe for the Bowman if people found out who they were before he was in their protective custody. It didn't help that this morning had dawned with a thick fog reducing visibility to only a few feet in any direction.

When the sound of horse hooves started to reach the ears of both waiting men, Galahad felt Garion's muscles tense. As the hooves got even closer, the boy dropped into a crouch and his hand dipped into his tunic for his knife.

Garion's nerves were shot and he had been warned repeatedly about the dangers in the real world. When the hooves reached his ears he panicked, and readied himself for a fight, that is when he felt it, a slight wiggling between his tunic and the warm cloak his Aunt Pol had forced him into this morning. Reaching towards the annoyance with the hand not occupied by a sharp blade, he was surprised when soft skin met chilly scales.

He felt the scales wrap around his wrist and when he pulled his hand free, he now had a small green garter snake for a bracelet. Looking the small serpent over he noticed something odd, the snake's eyes were green, not the normal black or brown he had seen on the garter snakes at home, that made him just a little suspicious, and he voiced those suspicions. "Uncle Galahad?" To his surprise, the snake nodded.

"Who's there?" A strange voice called out from just a few yards away. It startled Garion just as the shock of a nodding snake was upon him, making him drop the knife in his hand, and it struck the unmaintained stone road with the loud unmistakable sound of metal on stone.

Out of the mist, the tip of an arrow became visible to Galahad, as well as the familiar sound of a bow being drawn. Wiggling frantically, he was lucky Garion got the message and put him down. He made more sound than was probably good for him changing back to his human form, he immediately had an arrow pointed right back at the intruder, angled down slightly, in a defensive but not threatening position. "We are not here to cause you any harm, please lower your bow." Galahad asked even as he sent a message to Belgarath and Polgara telling them the Bowman was here.

"How do I know you mean no harm?" The stranger asked, only slightly dropping the arrow tip, he could still strike easily enough though.

"If I wanted you dead you would already be gone." Galahad assured him.

The man became visible then as he took a few steps closer, and Galahad recognized him as an Asturian Arend, even though he was more flamboyantly dressed than any noble Galahad had ever seen. Just as Galahad was about to once again ask him to lower his weapon Belgarath arrived.

"Lelldorin, what in the world are you wearing?" The Eternal man asked as he caught sight of the oddly dressed man.

"It isn't safe for an Asturian to travel alone, the Mimbrates have taken to harassing us even on the highways, so I figured if I dressed like one of their toadies I wouldn't be bothered." Lelldorin explained, the simple plan a trademark of the race, but as Galahad thought about it at least this one made some sense. He had definitely heard much worse plans during his time spent with the Arends.

"Oh, well come on then, its cold out here and we have much to talk about." Belgarath invited.

"I will as soon as I see to my horse, I left her behind when I heard strange voices." Lelldorin accepted.

"Go on and get warmed up, Garion and I will take care of her for you since it was our fault you left her behind." Galahad offered knowing Garion was going to have questions for him.

"Thank you," Lelldorin replied, not commenting on Galahad's strange voice just yet. He was more focused on following Belgarath through the mist.

"Come on Garion, let's round up the poor thing, this mist isn't good for horses either. You can ask any questions you have now that we are alone." Galahad offered as they followed Lelldorin's footsteps until they found the place he dismounted and they began following the impressions of hooves in the slush.

"Lelldorin is the Bowman isn't he?" Garion started out easy as Galahad answered with a nod.

Galahad knew the next question was coming before Garion asked it, "Have you been following me the whole time we have been here?"

"Yes, and I am sorry, I know you wanted to be alone for awhile, but we can't let you go very far alone, you are very precious to us. Even if there are no Grolims about, accidents still happen. I tried to leave you in peace but when he came along, I knew you needed back up; a knife is no defense against a bow if you never learned how to fight properly. Which we should probably work on rectifying as it is." Galahad tried to explain as thoroughly as he could, while making sure Garion knew he did feel sorry for intruding.

"Is this the first time you followed me?" Garion accused, getting a bit huffy with all of these secrets.

"No, it isn't the first. I was more or less constantly around you at Faldor's farm, I only came around as human when I felt I was needed, or I just wanted to visit. We have been protecting and guarding you throughout your life, and it hasn't stopped you from enjoying life so far, so please let us keep doing it. I try to keep interference to a minimum because I know how it feels to never have freedom. I want you to have a life, but a part of that is helping you live to see the best parts of it, let us help you do that." Galahad tried to get Garion to understand but wasn't sure if he was succeeding.

"I understand, but I still don't like it. I can take care of myself!" Garion objected, and Galahad could see part of the truth in it.

"Listen to me Garion, yes, you are old enough to take care of yourself, but you don't know how yet. I will feel a lot better if we started to teach you how to use a weapon, any one will do, if I knew you had that protection I wouldn't be so worried all the time." Galahad admitted.

Garion sighed before answering, "Alright I will listen to you, but what do you suggest I learn?" He asked as they finally found the wayward horse munching on a tuft of grass, her ears swiveling in all directions listening for danger.

"We are limited to what we know how to teach, but I would suggest you get used to a sword, you may need it later. The only problem with that is you need to be a bit bigger to properly handle one, because it is just as dangerous for you if the blade is so heavy it throws you off balance. I can start you out with daggers though, but I know Hettar has a saber, and Silk a rapier. They are small blades compared to what you will eventually use, but it is a place to start." Galahad answered, not mentioning he two knew how to use those smaller blades, but he wanted Garion to form friendships with the other companions, he loved his nephew but he needed to socialize a bit more, it wouldn't be good for him to only talk with Galahad.

"Fine, but when will we start?" Garion asked impatient to earn a bit of freedom, even if he wasn't sure why Galahad was insisting he learn to use a sword when his uncle didn't carry one himself.

"We will probably start traveling soon, as we have who we came here for, so we will have to teach you after we set up camp in the evenings. It will be a bit harder to learn if there isn't good light, but you will not be fighting under optimal conditions all the time so you might as well learn in less than stellar ways." Galahad replied, as they finally reached the broken down tower they had been staying in since arriving. They had their own horses picketed outside and they left Lelldorin's mare with them, the fresh hay and good water attracting her attention immediately, letting the two men enter the shelter.