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"Porenn," he said with a pained look, "I love you like a sister, but please don't use e to hear that sort of language in a woh the Cherek Bore delayed theh Greldik and a few other hardy souls illing -even eager- to attempt the Great Maelstrom in the heavy seas that were the aftermath of the storm, cooler and more prudent heads prevailed

"I'm sure the sea will quiet down in a bit," Barak shouted across to his friend, "and Rheon isn't going anyplace Let's not lose any ships if we don't have to"

"Barak," Greldik shouted back, "you're turning into an old wo just before Jarvikshol"

"It isn't his ship"

After they passed the Bore and entered the cal took a sizeable portion of the fleet and sailed northward toward Val Alorn Before arath stood on deck, talking quietly with Garion and Polgara "As soon as I finish at Val Alorn, I'll go on down to Mar Terrin," he told theet back before you arrive at Rheon, be careful The cult's pretty fanatic, and this war they've started is directed at you personally, Garion"

"I'll watch out for hiara assured him

"I can more or less take care of myself, Aunt Pol," Garion told her

"I'm sure you can, dear" she replied, "but old habits die hard"

"How old arown up?"

"Why don't you check back with me in a thousand years or so?" she said "Maybe we can talk about it then"

He shed "Aunt Pol," he said, "I love you"

"Yes, dear," she replied, patting his cheek, "I know, and I love you, too"

At Kotu, the ship carrying Hettar and his wife and parents turned south toward Aldurford "I'll ar called across to the Seabird "Save a little bit of the fighting for me"

"Only if you hurry" Lelldorin shouted back blithely

"I'ara murmured to Ce'Nedra, "Arends or Alorns"

"Could they possibly be related?" Ce'Nedra asked

Aunt Pol laughed, then wrinkled her nose as she looked at the wharves of Kotu "Coo below Harbors always have theodors about them"

The fleet passed Kotu and filed into the ish, and the fens lay green and soggy on either side Garion stood near the bow of the Seabird, idly watching the gray-green reeds and scrubby bushes slide by as the oarsmen pulled steadily upstrea up behind hiht talk for a fewfor this se and devotion bespoke at once an enormous affection and an iron-clad resolve

"When we reach Boktor, I want to leave Kheva at the palace I don't think he's going to like it very ets stubborn about it, could you order him to stay behind?"

"Me?"

"You're the Overlord of the West, Garion," she reminded him "I'm only his mother"