All characters and places belong to David and Leigh Eddings

Garion stood on the dock at Riva as the ships began to arrive. As the party from each descended he greeted them.

Zakath and Brador of Mallorea, Sadi of Nyissa, Emperor of Varana of Tolnedra, Fulrach and Layla of Sendaria, Korodullin, Mayaserana, Lelldorin and Mandorallen from Arendia, Cho-Hag, Silar, Adara and Hettar from Algaria, Anheg and Barak from Cherek, Porenn, and Javelin and Kheva from Drasnia.

The leaders filtered up the stone steps to the citadel through the wind and rain. Barak, slightly drunk already, even fell once or twice. At last they were all seated in the conference room with the sorcerers, Garion, Silk, Ce'Nedra and Kail.

Belgarath opened the meeting. " This council meeting is to discuss what to do about the events in Mallorea. As some of you may know, the Dagashi have taken over Cthol Murgos and Mallorea and are in control of the armies. Drasnian intelligence indicates they are planning an invasion of the West. Javelin?"

"The Dagashi are led by a mysterious man name Korfut, whom we know little about. He has gathered the Grolims still loyal to Torak and people have flocked to his cause."

Zakath spoke grimly, " They have deposed me and they...captured Cyradis. This may not be the best time to make such an announcement but she's pregnant with my child". He sat down, visibly shaken.

"This foul affair must not be allowed to continue, forasmuch there is friendship between Arendia and Mallorea I will rend those who have besmirched the fair Cyradis' honour and teach them a lesson in how a true knight dost fight, nay how a true knight must fight."

Beldin groaned and put his head in his hands. Mandorallen latest declaration was nothing new, and was delivered in true Mimbrate style.

Porenn, the tiny queen of Drasnia spoke up," If they have the Mallorean and Murgo armies under their control might it not be pertinent to mobilise our armies"

Anheg of Cherek grunted. " We have all the time we need. There'll be advance warning if they invade."

"Might I bring to mind you are the one who couldn't even spot the Earl of Jarvik's treason without a fourteen-year old farm boy, Anheg?"

"One for her side" murmured Barak.

The others round the table looked at each other worriedly. Normally Silk would have made the classic Alorn joke but he was still sitting with his head in his hands. The death of his brother had hit him hard.

Sadi, Chief Eunuch of the court of Salmissra, spoke up in his contralto voice. " If I could get Issus into the Dagashi camp I could poison this Korfut fellow"

"Korfut is good, very good. We haven't a clue where he came from or who he really is but he entered the Drojim palace at the dead of night and killed the entire Royal Family."

"Where are they now Javelin?" asked Pelath, the saintly former Grolim. "Mishrak Ac Thull. They must be heading for either Drasnia or Algaria, like Torak before Vo Mimbre."

"Angaraks never did have any imagination" commented Belgarath acidly. "They haven't had a new idea since the cracking of the world."