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"Surprises are good for hiets complacent"

"The Emperor was most put out with you, your Majesty," Rolla said reproachfully to Garion

"I'm sure he'll survive it"

"In Mallorea, your Majesty, it's the ones who offend Kal Zakath who need to be concerned about survival"

"Don't make threats, Rolla," Silk warned "If his Majesty here decides that your report to the Chief of the Bureau of Internal Affairs would be eht decide to take steps to keep you fro it His Majesty is an Alorn, after all, and you kno short-tempered they can be"

Rolla stepped back apprehensively

"Always nice talking with you, Rolla," Silk said in a tone of dismissal Then he and Garion walked on Garion noticed that the big-nosed htly worried look on his face as they passed him

"I love to do that to people," Silk smirked

"You're easily aets to Mal Zeth, Zakath's going to flood this whole region with people trying to find us"

"Do you want o back and kill him for you?" Silk offered

"Of course not!"

"I didn't think so If you can't do so about it"

When they reached the harbor, Garion tightened his grip on the Orb The pulling of Iron-grip's sword had so, and Garion had no desire to have the stone ju the wharves with the salt tang of the sea in their nostrils The harbor of Melcena, unlike that of ly clear of floating garbage "How do they keep it so clean?" Garion asked curiously "The water, I s in the harbor," Silk replied "Melcenes are compulsively tidy They also have work the waterfront to scoop up any floating debris It helps to rinned "It's a nasty job and it's always assigned to people who aren't interested in finding regular work A few days in a se and dead fish increases their ambition enorood idea I wonder if--" The Orb suddenly grew very warhtly and looked at it It was glowing a sullen red

"Zandramas?" Silk asked

Garion shook his head "The Sardion," he replied

Silk nervously tugged at his nose "That's a sort of dilemma, isn't it? Do we follow the Sardion or Zandraot ed "That's the last wharf just up ahead If we don't pick up the trail there, we'll go on and check the north gate"

They passed the last wharf The Orb gave no indication of interest

"Could they have landed on one of the other islands?" Garion asked with a worried frown

"Not unless they changed course once they were at sea," Silk replied "There are plenty of other places to land a ship along this coast Let's go have a look at the north gate"

Once again they ly leisurely pace