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"We'll see," the officer said

Then an even larger ship eside their patched and leaky vessel A familiar face looked over the rail "It's been quite soarion?" General Atesca said in a pleasant, conversational tone

"We really ought to try to stay in touch" Atesca wore his customary scarlet cloak and a burnished steel hele was quite out of the question now "You kneere out here," he said accusingly

"Of course I had people watching you on the Peldane side" The red-clad general sounded a bit sara declared, pulling her blue cloak about her

"I'd have been very surprised if you had,you are imbeciles Their minds are as vacant as the minds of mushrooms" He looked distastefully out across the river "You have no idea of how long it took me to explain to them what they were supposed to do Every army has a few ross stupidity has its uses, I suppose"

"You're very clever, General Atesca," she said in a tight voice

"No, Lady Polgara," he disagreed "I'm just a plain soldier No officer is ence service Brador's the clever one He's been gathering inforifts from various Grolims since the battle of Thull Mardu Grolims pay very close attention to your exploits, reat deal of inforh I'm certainly no expert--the more acute a mind is, the more easily you can detect its presence That's why I sent those human turnips out to watch you" He looked critically at their boat "That's really a wretched tiling, you know Are you keeping it afloat by sorcery?"

"No," Durnik told hiry tone of voice, "by skill"

"I bow to your skill, Goodantly "You could probably work out a way to make a rock float--if you really wanted to" He paused and looked at Belgarath "I assu to be civilized about this, Ancient One?" he asked

"I'arath replied warily

"His I need to discuss certain arath," Atesca said, "and I think I should advise you that you're paddling this wreck of yours directly into theDarshiva right now"

"I’ve never pretended to be sensible"

Atesca laughed ruefully "I haven't either," he ad to ion May I offer you gentlemen--and your ladies--the hospitality of my ship?" He paused "I think I'll have to insist," he added regretfully "Orders, you understand Besides, we ht want to pool our information while ait the arrival of his I here?" Garion asked

"I doubt that he's more than a day behind me, your Majesty," Atesca replied, "and he's afla talk with you"