Chapter 12
The mood of Sparhawk's companions was somber as they gathered in the chambers he shared with Ehlana and Danae. It had become their meeting place the last few days, since it was centrally located as well as the largest. They sat silent for a time, looking with furrowed brows at the walls, the carpet, and one another. Death was tragic to all of them, even the death of this unfamiliar king. It was obvious by the faces of Polgara and the royal family that Cho-Hag had been dearly loved, and that his death was going to be a blow to most of the known world. Sparhawk also could tell that many of them had seen demise in the near future, due to the illness that the man had suffered.
Beside him Ehlana sighed, and hung her head. "It's all so sad," she said softly. "Lady Polgara has been busy attending to the family since it happened, but I can see that she grieves deeply as well."
"She is a very strong woman," Sephrenia agreed. "I almost wish we would have been here sooner. There might have been something I could have done to help." She raised her eyes to Danae and Sparhawk saw his daughter shake her head slightly.
"Styric magic would probably have been no help, Little Mother," Sparhawk told her, "if Lady Polgara's half as strong as people say. I was talking with Hettar's son, the crown prince now, I guess, and he said that Polgara had done everything possible. I get the feeling that possible for people like Polgara means a lot more than it does for people like us."
Ehlana sighed heavily again. "Chin up dear," he told her. "I'm sure the family and Lady Polgara will be fine."
"It's not that, Sparhawk."
"What's the matter?"
She looked at him and with a straight face said, "I didn't bring a black gown."
The next day, four days after the death of King Cho-Hag, the first of the neighboring Kings arrived. Sparhawk stood with Belgarath, Polgara, Durnik, Hettar and Queen Silar at the great gate of the Stronghold as the King of Arendia approached. Two men in armor and a beautiful pale woman rode at the front. One of the men was obviously the king and the woman wore a gold circlet. The other knight, Sparhawk noted, looked, oddly enough, a lot like Bevier. On the other side of this knight rode a young man in subdued greens with a longbow slung across his back. He also had his wife at his side. Sparhawk was struck by the honor and devotion stamped on each face, even those of the ladies. He was also slightly worried by the lack of anything else there, including sense. Somewhat behind them rode a strange looking short man. His hair was completely white, although he did not appear that old. It was hard to judge his age, however, because he had a strip of cloth bound across his eyes.
"Korudullin," Belgarath greeted the king as the man dismounted
"Divine One," Korudullin replied. "My Lady," he nodded, "Goodman. Your majesties," he greeted Silar and Hettar, "My heart hath been heavy since mine eyes hath read the news of the illness that hath lay our beloved friend and ally low. I pray that you find comfort in these days of woe, and that this may be sent behind us into that great realm of history and shall not linger to trouble out hearts and minds. For well we all doth know how beloved our fellow monarch was in life, and how like a father we all looked upon him, even as thou didst, and still dost." Belgarath made strangled noises next to Sparhawk and Polgara's eyes seemed to glaze. Korudullin opened his mouth again as if to continue but Silar spoke before he could.
"Thanks you so much for coming, Your Majesty. And all of you." She turned. "Won't you all come in and rest from your journey?" The request seemed sort of formal and unnecessary, but Korudullin and his companions seemed to thrive on formalities.
Sparhawk kept himself somewhat in the background during this exchange, not wishing to intrude. "And who is thy companion, Ancient One?" the knight with black curly hair asked. "He doth look mighty and formidable. Methinks he be a knight. Am I right, Sir-?"
"Sparhawk," the big knight answered for Belgarath. "I am Preceptor of the Pandion order of Church Knights, and the Champion of the Queen of Elenia."
"I am sure thou art the mightiest knight on life, my lord." He paused. "Alas mine own charge, the great Queen Ce'Nedra, named in the stars as the revered Queen of our dear World doth inhabit the fortress at Riva, which, unfortunately, doth stand many miles north of here."
"This is Sir Mandorallen, Sparhawk, a Mimbrate Knight," Belgarath said. "The archer is Lelldorin, an Austurian."
"Pleasure to meet you." The younger man with the bow stretched out his hand, grinning at Sparhawk with complete trust. "The beautiful lady in the green gown is my wife Ariana." Sparhawk did not need the description to tell who the young man's wife was. The lady was staring at her husband with undisguised adoration. Sparhawk was quite certain that she would walk through a wall of fire if she had to to be able to look at Lelldorin so.
"Alas," Mandorallen said again, "Mine own beloved lady must needs remain at home, for an injury hath robbed her of her ability to ride." His eyes actually shone with tears.
Belgarath jumped in then. "This is Relg," he said, indicating the short man with colorless hair and a cloth over his eyes. "From Ulgoland." He looked around. "Where's Taiba?" he asked him.
Relg frowned. "She's at Prolgu with the old Gorim and the other children. He didn't think she should travel this close to her time."
Belgarath laughed. "Mara wasn't kidding when he said he wanted you to repopulate Maragor. I didn't think he wanted you to do it all by yourselves but it's beginning to look that way. Why did you go back to Prolgu?"
"The Gorim summoned Telbe for training and religious instruction." Relg smiled slightly and pulled the cloth from his eyes, squinting against the sun. "I still have trouble realizing how blind I was to the words of UL. My son is growing up in both religions and he is doing remarkably well. I have many hopes for him." He smiled at Sparhawk with pride. "Telbe is my oldest son. He will inherit the title of Gorim and bring my people glory."
Sparhawk smiled politely.
"Please come inside, all of you," Silar said. They filed in behind her, once again traveling through the massive domed passageway of the gate.
The next day other monarchs arrived. Sparhawk greeted these people blandly, cautiously, feeling more and more like he was intruding. In the morning the king of Tolnedra arrived, a man so like in appearance and mannerisms to Vanion that Sparhawk was startled. Even his name, Varana, was similar. Sparhawk watched him closely. The man moved and spoke more like one of long military service than one suited to wear a crown. He realized that this was much like himself and felt an instant connection to this soldierly king. He made a note to speak with him later.
During the noon meal, as they all ate quietly in their rooms so as to not disturb the household at this time, Polgara came to see them. She wore a blue gown that seemed simple against her regal blue eyes. Sparhawk noted a slight expression of jealousy flash across Ehlana's pale features.
"It seems you've settled in well," Polgara said by way of greeting. "Silar wanted you to know that she appreciates your desire to be distant but that it is unnecessary, and would like to request your presence at dinner tonight. The funeral is set for tomorrow and she would also like you to be there as well."
"We do not wish to intrude," Sephrenia told her.
"Well, we wish you to intrude. Besides it will be a good opportunity to discuss what has been happening in the world, and in yours as well, with all the figureheads of the western world here in one place."
"Makes sense," Vanion approved.
"Garion and the others should be here by tomorrow." She turned, and her features softened slightly. "Don't worry. I've faced far worse and I'm sure you have. Things straighten themselves out in the end."
Sephrenia stood and looked at Polgara. They were very similar in appearance, although Polgara was a full foot taller than the petite Styric. "We all have to die sometime," Sephrenia said. "But as a physician it still feels as if you've failed in something."
"I'll see you all at dinner," Polgara said.
Bevier had a troubled look on his face as she closed the door. "Something wrong, Bevier?" Tynian asked.
"No," the Arcian knight replied. "It's just that whenever she talks to me I feel the strangest sense of calm, as if I've just completed a long prayer."
"And?"
"And it troubles me since I know nothing of her religious background. For all I know she is some raving heathen, and yet she stills the spirit."
