Page 41 (1/2)

"Thy concern for the lady extendeth only to thy authority over her person," Mandorallen retorted hotly "Thou hast usurped her lands and chattels with churlish disregard for her feelings, and-"

"All right," Garion snapped, "that's enough Your personal squabble has brought half of Arendia to the brink of war Is that what you wanted? Are you such a pair of children that you're willing to destroy your hoet your oay?"

"But-" Mandorallen tried to say

"But nothing" Garion then proceeded -at soht of theing The two frequently went pale as he spoke Then he saw Lelldorin drawing cautiously near to listen

"And you!" Garion turned his attention to the young Asturian "What are you doing down here in Mimbre?"

"Me? Well -Mandorallen is my friend, Garion"

"Did he ask for your help?"

"Well- "

"I didn't think so You just took it on yourself" He then included Lelldorin in his coht hand The three watched that sith a certain wide-eyed anxiety as he waved it in their faces

"Very well, then," Garion said after he had cleared the air, "this is e're going to do" He looked belligerently at Sir E out his jaw pugnaciously

Sir E's face went a pasty white, and his eyes started froasped "Thou wouldst have an to trerunted "Since that's the case, you'll immediately relinquish all clailadly, your Majesty" E's words tumbled over themselves as they caht me?"

"Thou art my friend, Garion," Mandorallen protested "I would die before I raised ainst thee"

"Good Then you will turn all territorial claims on behalf of the baroness over to ree to this," Mandorallen replied gravely

"Sir E," Garion said then, "I bestow upon you the entirety of the Barony of Vo Ebor -including those lands which would noro to Nerina Will you accept them?"

"I will, your Majesty"

"Sir Mandorallen, I offer you the hand in e of my ward, Nerina of Vo Ebor Will you accept her?"

"With allto his eyes

"Splendid," Lelldorin said adly

"Shut up, Lelldorin," Garion told hientleo hoain, I'll co to be very angry Do we all understand each other?"

Mutely they nodded

That ended the war

The Baroness Nerina, however, raised certain strenuous objections when she was informed of Garion's decisions upon the return of Mandorallen's arirl to be bestowed upon any h drauardian?" Garion asked her directly