Polgara had given up on pounding on the door less walls. Her sorcery did nothing. She had

tried to blast the walls, but it had just pained her head-she had even fallen down to her knees

in pain. The fried corpses of the snakes had disappeared, but it made her skin crawl when she

thought of it. Beldaran raced through her mind as she thought and thought.

Why had she called her?

Was Beldaran in trouble?

Why had her amulet burned so hot when the voice of Beldaran had screamed for her?

For the first time in her life, she thought: Where's father?

A tear ran down her cheek as she finally admitted to herself that she was alone in this.room.

No one was going to help her, no one could find her in some place where she had no clue

where she was. She shuddered, "I'm alone.. I'm so alone."

"You don't have to be." came a strong, handsome voice.

She looked up to see a ravishing man in front of her. He looked ageless, his black beard

looking neat, and his blue eyes seemed to glow as he looked into her eyes. Holding out his

hand, he said, "Polgara-do not be afraid. I'm here to help you. Come with me--- willingly---

and I promise, you will never be alone. You will have no worries, you will get anything you

want."

She wiped her tears away, nervously.

The handsome man walked forward, and with a simple wave of his hand, her ragged gown

changed into a tissue gown, fit for a queen, that matched her beautiful eyes. Her raven black

hair, with the white lock, where suddenly combed, smooth, and shined like they never shined

before. Again, he offered her his hand, and then she took it.

The white walls suddenly became shadows that cloaked the handsome man. He embraced her,

and the shadows enveloped them both.

Sudden coldness leaked into her pores, she shivered once, and when she opened her eyes,

she stood in the embrace of her Lord. Torak raised his hand in triumph, "My bride has come!

Hail to her-for she is your Goddess." His voice calmed her.

She turned around in his arms and saw all kinds of people, bowing down to her saying,

"Goddess Polgara-Bride of Darkness."

Polgara raised her chin into the air in pride, a cold, sly smile spreading on her lips as she

raised her eyebrow. "I like that." she whispered.

Torak chuckled.

***************************************************************************

Zedar looked down at Polgara as she suddenly blinked, and sat up.

As he looked at her, he felt frightened; she looked so odd, so. cold.

She looked up at him with her icy blue eyes and stood up. "Go get me better cloths." She

demanded.

"Ah." He simply said, and told a servant nearby to get it for her.

She wasn't Polgara anymore-she was now the Bride of Torak.

Polgara snapped her fingers at him, "I'm hungry, go get me food."

With a look from Zedar, another servant ran off.

She strode forward, past Zedar and looked around at the cave. "What kind of a filthy place is

this?" she asked, wrinkling her nose. "I despise the smell."

Zedar stifled back a groan-she was after all his Master's beloved.

A sudden thought came to her-"Where is Beldaran?"

Zedar's lips twitched, "She is still awakening."

Polgara's face was expressionless. "When she awakens-bring her to me."

The old sorcerer smiled at his niece.

***************************************************************************

"Beldaran-you must listen to me!" came Poledra's voice within the darkness of Beldaran's

vision.

"M-Mother?" she called.

"S-Something's wrong with Polgara-you must be careful of her! She is not herself! She will try

to destroy you-and that must not happen! Understand? Do you understand what I am telling

you?" Poledra's voice seemed to echo.

"Pol's going to try to kill me?" Beldaran asked in disbelief.

"As I said-she is not herself!"

Beldaran suddenly opened her eyes, and saw Zedar kneeling down, looking at her.

He smirked.

She realized she lay on the floor, and turned her head and gaped.

Polgara sat upon a large dragon throne, she wore cloths that were so beautiful, making her

look so enchanting. But Poledra was right.

Something was wrong and different about her. "Kill the child in her womb, Zedar." Polgara

said suddenly.

Beldaran gasped in horror, "Polgara!"

She quickly stood up, and saw Zedar, she felt the pull as he drew his Will.

Beldaran embraced her swollen belly protectively and screeched, "No!"