(Garion and Zakath were sitting alone in Zakath's chambers with a large tankard of beer on the table beside them. They were chattering excitedly, between gulps, about their plans to make Mal Zeth more of an interesting city.)
ZAKATH: And in the centre of the town we can build a golden statue of me. Twenty feet high, you see? To make sure that everybody notices it.
GARION: And what about me? Eh? I am the Godslayer after all!
ZAKATH: yes, we'll have a large statue of you too right in front of me made in amethyst!
GARION: Amethyst? I don't know Zakath, aluminium and gold would clash horribly, you know?
(Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Prince Kheldar of Drasnia strode in, dressed in a rough tunic, and followed by Vella)
ZAKATH: Ah! Silk! There you are! And I see you've brought dear old Vella along with you! Good! Here's your money, Silk, and Vella, welcome to Mal Zeth!
VELLA: (politely) Your city is as ugly as it ever has been, your Highness.
SILK: Vella! After all that time we'd spent over that greeting! I would have thought you'd be more courteous!
ZAKATH: Oh, leave her be, Kheldar, I like her this way anyways! (Turns to Vella) Do make yourself at home and make be yourself! (Turns to Garion) You would have absolutely no idea how much this woman amuses me!
GARION: (to Silk) What happened to your clothes, Silk?
SILK: I realised that Vella only found amusement in ripping apart my nice clothes, so I figured that wearing rags would keep her daggers away! And I was right!
ZAKATH: Err... if you would excuse me a minute. (He abruptly leaves the room)
GARION: Please sit down, Silk, and have some beer! We'll have to empty it a bit before Zakath drinks it all!
SILK: Couldn't be more grateful, old friend!
GARION: So, how is business?
SILK: Wonderful!! I have completely out-beaned Atesca, if you can say that, and he's in ruins!
GARION: He's never going to forgive you, you know?
SILK: Maybe not, but that's what business is all about! It's a game, a game to win and upset the loser!
GARION: I suppose you could look at it that way.
(Zakath re-enters, dressed in filthy rags)
ZAKATH: I thought it might not be a bad idea to take all the precautions with this young lady knocking around!
VELLA: Aww, Zakath, you spoil all the fun! Come here and let me get you with my daggers!
(Zakath takes one look at the daggers Vella is balancing neatly on the palm of her hand, and dashes from the room, mumbling something about going to fetch Porenn, who happened to be staying at the palace.)
SILK: (as Vella follows him, grinning threateningly from ear to ear) Yes, they really do go nicely together, don't they!
ZAKATH: (from the corridor) I HEARD THAT! (Followed by a shriek of terror)
SILK: Well, can't you tell, Garion? It's just Vella's way of hiding it!
GARION: I think you've had quite enough bear, Silk.
SILK: And what about you? Your hiccupping has been driving me nuts since the moment I sat down!
VOICE FROM OUTSIDE: Hear, hear!
(The door bursts open and Ce'Nedra marches in followed by Porenn, a very humble looking Vella, and a very bashed-about looking Zakath.)
SILK: (at the sight of Porenn) Auntie!!!
CE'NEDRA: Garion, you're going into your private chamber now, before you have any more beer. I can't have you singing all the way back home, can I?
GARION: I don't see why not!
CE'NEDRA: Because your singing's awful, Garion, I have never heard you sing a correct note in my entire life!
(Garion, looking slightly disappointed, strode out of the room mumbling phrases like: "I knew I should never have brought her along" and "Wives... spoil all the fun!"
PORENN: Kheldar, may I enquire as to the disappearance of our Liselle?
ZAKATH: I can answer that one for you, Porenn; she's in Nyissa with Sadi and Zith.
PORENN: Zith?
Zakath does not answer, but exchanges a wink with Silk, and the two of them swagger over to the table, lift up the tankard of beer between them, and transport it to Garion's private chambers. At first, Ce'Nedra does not understand, but then the loud singing of Garion reaches her ears.
CE'NEDRA: OH NO!! (And storms into Garion's room)
