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"Who's that?" Belgarath asked "Did you tell anybody you were co here?"

"No," Garion frowned, "not really" He went to theand looked down A tall, hawk-faced Algar with a flowing back scalp lock sat astride a lathered and exhausted looking horse "Hettar!" Garion called down to him "What's the matter?"

"Let me in, Garion," Hettar replied "I have to talk with you"

Belgarath joined Garion at the"The door's around on the other side," he called down "I'll open it for you Be careful of the stone on that fifth step," he cautioned, as the tall oing to fix that, Grandfather?" Garion asked He felt the faint, faet to it one of these days"

Hettar's hawk-like face was bleak as he came up into the round rooency, Hettar?" Garion asked "I've never seen you ride a horse into the ground like that"

Hettar took a deep breath "You've got to go back to Riva i there?" Garion asked, a sudden chill cohed "I hate to be the one to have to tell you this, Garion, but Ce'Nedra sent word for o back to Riva al once"

Garion steeled hiination "Why?" he asked quietly

"I'm sorry, Garion -more sorry than I can possibly say- but Brand has been murdered"

PART THREE – ALORIA

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Lieutenant Bledik was one of those sober- very seriously He arrived at the Lion Inn in the port city of Camaar promptly on time and was escorted upstairs by the aproned innkeeper The roo were airy and well furnished and looked out over the harbor Garion stood at theholding aside one of the green drapes and looking out as if it ues of open water and see as happening at Riva"You sent for me, your Majesty?" Bledik asked with a respectful bow

"Ah, Lieutenant, coent et to Sendar?"

The lieutenant considered it One look at his sober face told Garion that the youngBledik pursed his lips, absently adjusting the collar of his scarlet unifore horses at every hostel along the way, I can be at the palace by late to officer the folded and sealed letter to the Sendarian king "When you see King Fulrach, tell hiaria to all of the Alorn Kings to tell the of the Alorn Council at Riva and that I'd like to have him there as well"

"Yes, your Majesty"

"And tell him that the Rivan Warder has been murdered"

Bledik's eyes widened, and his face went pale "No!" he gasped "Who was responsible?"

"I don't know any of the details yet, but, as soon as we can hire a ship, we're going across to the island"

"Garion, dear," Polgara said fro in the letter The lieutenant has a long way to go, and you're delaying hiht, Aunt Pol," he admitted He turned back to Bledik "Will you need any ?" he asked