Chapter 4
The guard who flung open the doors of King Urgit's throne room was trembling. "Th-their M-majesties, K-king Anheg of Cherek, K-king Cho-Hag of A-algaria, and Qu-queen Silar of A-a-algaria," he stammered.
Silk and Urgit looked up; Urgit from the stone throne, Silk from the heavy ornate chair facing it. Urgit was slightly pale, but he nodded courteously to the two Alorn monarchs. "Delightful to see you, old chaps. Prince Kheldar and I were merely discussing trade agreements."
"Expanding your spectrum, Prince Kheldar?" asked Anheg, with a hard look at Silk.
"A man has to make his way in the world somehow," the little Drasnian said piously, polishing a large diamond on the front of his black velvet doublet.
"Of course," said Anheg skeptically.
"And Queen Silar of Algaria," Urgit nodded to the queen, whom Cho-Hag was leaning heavily on. "Let me get you some chairs." He nodded to the guard, who dragged more heavy chairs out. "I'd offer you some wine, but my servants are hiding in a dark closet somewhere."
Anheg laughed, collapsing into a chair. "You're a droll fellow, your Majesty."
"I have to be, your Majesty," Urgit replied, "Or else I'd go mad in this dreary place." He waved a hand at the ostentatious throne room, indicating the paneling of red gold and the inlaid gems. "All this gaudy ornamentation wasn't really my idea, but it gave endless generations of Urga kings something to do."
"You seem not to suffer from the hereditary madness," Cho-Hag noted in his soft voice.
"The one fortunate characteristic my late father - may his body rot forever - did not pass on to me." Urgit winked. They all knew who Urgit's real father was, but you never knew what spies might be lurking around. "Oh, yes. I'd almost forgotten." Urgit rose and bowed to Cho-Hag. "Let me express my heartfelt congratulations for a certain sabre thrust that impaled Taur Urgas on the plain of Thull Mardu."
Cho-Hag looked startled.
"He was greatly missed, of course," Urgit continued. "All that carpet-chewing, wife-beating, and raving that we all grew to know and love. The carpets were rather pleased, however." He paused. "But let's get down to business. This is the first time, official or unofficial, in which two Alorn monarchs have ever met with the King of Cthol Murgos. I think we'd want to take advantage of the situation and arrange a meeting in which all of us could get together and discuss an agreement. World peace would be a nice change."
"Tolnedra would be a neutral-" Anheg began, but was cut off by a sudden pop. A short little man with a distorted left foot had suddenly appeared in the center of their ring. There was exclamations from the kings, and Silk peered at the man.
"Aren't you Senji, the Melcene sorcerer?"
Senji bowed. "Indeed, Prince Kheldar. Your Majesties, I have been instructed to bring urgent news to you from my Master."
"Your Master?" Urgit peered at him.
"You've met him, your Majesty. Eriond is your god, after all."
"Eriond?" Urgit's eyes went wide.
"Your Majesties, I must tell you that the Karands have ferried their men - and their demons -- to the coast of Cthol Murgos. The Morindim are also marching down from the north. It is believed the Karands intend to take over a huge part of Cthol Murgos, and the Morindim will join them there to create a center from which their demons will be unleashed."
"WHAT!" Anheg jumped up.
"The Karands are also marching on Mal Zeth. It hasn't been totally repopulated since the time when the plague hit, and they're in serious danger. Their demons are marching ahead of them, clearing the way."
"Isn't that impossible?" asked Silk. "I thought no one was supposed to be able to do that."
"We don't know, your Highness. We have no idea what's going on. But we have to stop this. I must go, your Majesties. His Majesty Zakath of Mallorea must be warned as well." And with another pop, Senji vanished.
Expecting more prophesies? Finally, an event that's not circumscribed by fate! Isn't it nice, Belgarath? You get to decide what to do all on your own.