Silk's Wedding Chapter 3

Rose G

A/N- Sorry for not updating this for so long, I'll try to update more regularly in future. And I've had more flames for this than any other story I've written, so I'll just point out a few things: Silk does not hate Sadi and Relg, the first chapter explains why he doesn't want to see them. I did not say Garion and the others were immortal, I said they were almost immortal, and Silk probably wouldn't know that for sure. This is fanfiction, so I'll write in in my style if I want to. And this is listed under humour, so any character acting strangely are just part of the story, i.e. Mandorallean getting beaten. Any other complaints e-mail me or keep quiet.

The little group stood on the banks of Aldurford river, arguing loudly. Silk was standing alongside Barak, both of them facing off with Belgarath and Poledra, who stood in the form a large grey wolf, her tawny eyes flashing dangerously. 'Belgarath, do we really have to go to Algaria? Riva's in the opposite direction, isn't it?'

'Yes and yes, Silk. But I'm in charge, so if I say we are going to Algaria, we are going to Algaria. And we're going to meet Hettar, so it's only polite to go down there. What's your problem with that?'

'I don't know about Silk, but I've had enough of riding. Can't we just go through Drasnia, into Cherek and across the Bore by ship?' Barak, mounted again on the roan stallion, was nursing a headache from his fall and a bad temper.

'Barak, I should say that your horse has had enough of carrying you. My problem with Algaria is...'

'Lack of inns and places to swindle people, I'd say. That's if you can still remember how to swindle anyone, and you haven't finally tipped over the edge into senility.'

'Shut up, Barak. I just don't really want to meet Hettar. If Belgarath can swear, and I mean swear on Aldur's life, that we won't meet Hettar or his clan, I'll go.'

There was a low growl from behind them, making Silk's black mare leap, and he saw Poledra, laughing at them in canine fashion. 'One hopes that they will heed you words, friend.' Belgarath said to his wife, then glared at them. 'Poledra says shut up, else she'll frighten your horses again and you can walk to Riva. And we are going to Algaria, right now.'

With that, the old man leant forward and grabbed Silk's reins, while spurring his horse into the river. Poledra snarled vehemently, Silk's mare lept forward, landing swimming alongside Barak's charger, who was kicking up clouds of silvery spray. In the space of a few moments, they were standing on the other side; Silk dripping wet and spitting out a mixture of river water and oaths. 'I don't want to meet Hettar.' His voice trailed away as he saw the group of riders cantering to meet them.

The group pulled up just ahead of them. In the lead was Hettar, the bleak faced Sha-dar with flowing scalp lock mounted on a blood bay stallion with white feet, who danced as Hettar held him in. Beside him was Adara, Garion's cousin, riding an elegant albino mare with pale blue eyes whose beauty matched that of her rider. Polgara and Durnik were both mounted on the workmanlike cobs so beloved of the Sendars, and both had a child sitting in front of them. Hettar was glaring daggers and Silk gave a fleeting thought to the benefits of dying on the spot.

However, it was Belgarath who spoke first. 'Durnik, have you got that thing I asked you to keep for Velvet's present?'

'Yes, of course, Ancient One.' He slipped down from the cob, and fished in his pack as Belgarath fumed silently, much to Silk's amusement, although the merchant retained enough wits to see Hettar walking his horse towards him.

'Here you go, he's been quite safe. Do you want me to look after him until we get to Riva?'

'No thanks, brother mine. You've got quite enough on your hands, looking after them twins and Eriond. Give him here.' The aged sorcerer held out one gnarled hand, and Durnik handed something to him. Silk's scream as he fell from his horse in a dead faint could probably have been heard in Mallorea.

The little green snake wriggled innocently in Belgarath's palm, its eyes questioning. Barak laughed, as did Belgarath and the twins. Hettar vaulted off and run to the unconscious man, Polgara just behind him. 'NO, Hettar. You can't kill him just yet.' Her voice cracked like a whip. 'Eriond, where are you?' She flung that question to the sky and Adara winced on Silk's behalf. The next few days promised to be rather entertaining.

Please review, else you won't ever find out what's going on with Silk and Hettar. In the next chapter - fist fights, arguments over gruel for breakfast, and being offensive to Gods!