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Lelldorin and Mandorallen came up from Arendia with Ariana and Nerina

Garion, now sos, was amazed at how many children his friends had produced No matter which way he turned, there seeirls running and laughing filled the sober halls of the Citadel The boy-king Kheva of Drasnia and Barak's son Unrak soon becahters roling Barak's eldest daughter, Gundred, now a ravishing young lady, cut a broad track through the hearts of whole platoons of young Rivan nobles, all the while under the watchful eye of her huge, red-bearded father, who never actually threatened any of his daughter's suitors, but whose looks said quite plainly that he would tolerate no foolishness Little Terzie, Gundred's younger sister, hovered on the very brink of woer children and looking the next with devastating eyes at the group of adolescent Rivan boys who always see sailed over froh the celebration Queen Layla sent her fondest congratulations, but she did not ot on board the ship," Fulrach reported, "but then a gust of wind made a wave break over the stones of the quay, and she fainted We decided not to subject her to the voyage at that point"

"It's probably best," Garion agreed

Durnik and Errand caarath

The celebration went on for weeks There were banquets and forifts, both by the visitors and by the adoms And, of course, there were hours of re Ce'Nedra was in her glory, since she and her infant son were the absolute center of attention Garion found that the festivities, coupled with his normal duties, left him almost no free time at all He wished that he could find an hour or two to talk with Barak, Hettar, Mandorallen, and Lelldorin; but no e his days, the ti, however, Belgarath ca for hi as the old sorcerer entered his study "I thought we ht want to talk for a bit," the old man said

Garion tossed aside the report "I haven't ized, "but they're keeping s are bound to settle down in a while Did I ever get around to congratulating you?"

"I think so"

"Good That's taken care of, then People always make such a fuss about babies I don't really care that much for them myself They're all squally and wet, most of the time, and it's almost impossible to talk to them You don't mind if I help myself, do you?" He pointed at a crystal decanter of pale wine standing on a table

"No Go ahead"

"You want soarath poured hioblet of wine and then settled down in a chair across fro business?" he asked

"Tedious," Garion replied ruefully

"Actually, that's not a bad thing, you know When it gets exciting, that usually "