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Javelin was frowning "It's not at all like them," he mused, "and it's a direct reversal of a policy they've followed for the past three thousand years"

"People change so said

"Not the Bear-cult," Barak told hih in a cultist's et off your behind and get back to Val Alorn, Anheg," Greldik suggested "If they get those ships in the water, they'll control the whole west coast of Cherek"

Anheg shook his head "I have to stay here," he declared "I've got another ed "It's your kingdo"

"Thanks, Greldik," Anheg said drily "You have no idea how that notion coet to Val Alorn?"

"Three -maybe four days It depends on how I catch the tides at the Bore"

"Go there," Anheg told him "Tell the fleet admirals that I want them tostraits I think that when this council is over, I'll want to take a little journey up to Jarviksholm It shouldn't take rin was positively vicious

After the council adjourned for the evening, Kail caught up with Garion in the torchlit corridor "I think there's soarion," he said quietly

"Oh?"

"This 's fleet," Garion replied, "and his kingdom"

"There is only this Greldik's unsupported word about the shipyards at Jarvikshol straits are only three days fro overly suspicious, Kail?"

"Your Majesty, I agree co deserves every benefit of doubt concerning the assassination of my father, but this coincidence that puts the Cherek fleet within striking distance of Riva is an altogether different matter I think we should quietly look to our defenses -just to be on the safe side"

"I'll think about it," Garion said shortly andday, Silk arrived The little ray velvet doublet; as had becolittered with costly jewels After only the briefest of greetings to his friends, he went into private discussions with Javelin

When Belgarath entered the council chamber that afternoon, he had a self-satisfied s in his hand

"What is it, father?" Polgara asked curiously "You look like the ship's cat on a fishing boat"

"I'm always pleased when I solve a riddle, Pol" He turned to the rest of the Anheg juarath held up one hand "But," he continued, "what Anheg wrote is not what the letter seems to say" He laid the sheet of parchment on the table "Have a look," he invited them

When Garion looked at the letter, he could clearly see red-colored letters lying behind the ones which spelled out the e that see's door

"What is this, Belgarath?" King Fulrach asked

"Actually, it's a letter to the Earl of Maelorg," the old 's decision to raise the taxes on the herring fishery"

"I wrote that letter four years ago," Anheg declared, a baffled look crossing his face