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"Urvon?" Zakath asked

"It appears so, your Majesty I'd say that the Disciple isinto position for a final confrontation with Zandraht it out I don't think that the world would miss either of them very ht, Brador," he said "It is tee that sort of thing--just as a matter of policy Those principalities are a part of the eht start soly rumors if ere to just stand idly by and let Urvon and Zandrasto be h the papers on the table in front of him, picked one up, and frowned at it "I suppose we'd better deal with this," he said "Where have you got Baron Vasca?"

"He's in a cell with a splendid view," Brador replied "He can look out at the executioner's block I'm sure it's beenthen "Demote him," he said

"That's a novel word for the procedure," Brador murmured

"That's not exactly what I meant," Zakath said with another chill smile "Persuade him to tell us where he hid all the money he extorted from the people he dealt with We'll transfer the funds to the ie map on the wall of his study "Southern Ebal, I think"

"Your Majesty?" Brador looked puzzled

"Assign him to the post of Minister of Trade in southern Ebal"

"There isn't any trade in southern Ebal, your Majesty There aren't any seaports, and the only thing they raise in the Temba marshes is mosquitoes"

"Vasca's inventive I'"

"Then you don't want hiesture across his throat with one hand

"No," Zakath said "I'ested Ihim up in pieces" A faintly pained look crossed the Emperor's face "Has there been any word about hiarion"

"They were seen shortly after they left Mal Zeth, your Majesty They were traveling with Prince Kheldar's Nadrak partner, Yarblek Not long after that, Yarblek sailed for Gar og Nadrak"

"It was all a ruse, then," Zakath sighed "All Belgarion really wanted was to get back to his own country That wild story of theirs was made up out of whole cloth" Zakath passed a weary hand before his eyes "I really liked that young man, Brador," he said sadly "I should have known better"

"Belgarion didn't go back to the West, your Majesty," Brador informed him, "at least not with Yarblek We always check that fellow's ships rather closely So far as we're able to deterarion has not left Mallorea"

Zakath leaned back with a genuine smile on his face "I'ht that he'd betrayed me was quite painful for soone?"