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The fire Durnik had built was catching hold He gave it a critical look; satisfied, he rose to his feet "I'd better see to the horses," he said "Do you want the packs in here, Pol?"

"Just the food and the cooking things for now, dear But don't you think you should wait until the hail lets up?"

"There's a sort of covered ay along the side of the house," he replied "I'd guess that the people who built the place knew about this sort of weather" He went out with Toth and Eriond close behind him

Garion crossed the room to where Velvet sat on a rude bench with her hand laid protectively over her right shoulder Her face was pale, and her broas deith sweat

"Are you all right?" he asked her

"It surprised h"

"Nice ry "You're like a sister to et hurt, I'll take it as a personal insult"

"Yes, your Majesty," she said, her s up the room

"Don't play with me, Velvet Don't try to be brave If you're hurt, say so"

"It's only a little bruise, Belgarion," she protested Her large brown eyes conveyed a world of sincerity, ned

"I'll spank you," he threatened

"Now, that's an interesting notion" She laughed

He didn't even think about it He simply leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead

She looked a little surprised "Why, your majesty," she said in mock alarm "What if Ce'Nedra had seen you do that?"

"Ce'Nedra can cope with it She loves you as much as I do I'll have Aunt Pol look at that shoulder"

"It's really fine, Belgarion"

"Do you want to argue about that with Aunt Pol?"

She thought about it "No," she said, "I don't really so Why don't you send Kheldar over to hold ain, if you'd like"

With a certain clinical detachray dress and carefully exairl's shoulder Velvet blushed modestly covered her 's broken," Polgara said, gently probing the bruised shoulder "It's going to be very painful, though"

"I noticed that alht, Sadi," Polgara said briskly, "I need a good analgesic What would you suggest?"

" I have oret, Lady Polgara," the eunuch answered

She thought about it "No," she said "Oret would incapacitate her for the next two days Do you have any ara," he protested "Miseth is an excellent painkiller, but--" He looked at the suffering Velvet "There are those side effects, you know"

"We can control her if necessary"

"What side effects?" Silk deirl

"It tends to rouse a certain--ah, shall we say--ardor," Sadi replied delicately "In Nyissa it's widely used for that purpose"

"Oh," Silk said, flushing slightly

"One drop," Polgara said "No Make that two"

"Two?" Sadi exclaimed