Page 77 (1/2)

"I think that's quite enough, Belgarion," Zakath snapped "Make ready You're leaving for Mat Zeth; and toto separate all of you people That should giverash I think that covers everything This conversation is concluded"

Belgarath covered his hed Toth nodded and lowered his head

Zakath stepped back in startled a apparition suddenly appeared directly in front of hilared at Garion "Is this some kind of trick?" he demanded

"No tricks, Zakath," Garion replied "She has soest that you listen"

"Wilt thou hearform of the blindfolded Seeress of Kelt asked him

Zakath's face was still taut with suspicion "What is it, Cyradis?" he asked bluntly

"My time with thee must needs be short, E a crossroad in thy life Thou hast reached mat point now Put aside thine ily to the task which I es"

He drew himself up "A custoood behavior"

"Dost thou indeed feel so feeble that thou must threaten the innocent to ihtly touched with scorn

"Feeble? Me?"

"Why else wouldst thou choose so cowardly a course? But hear s in the balance In the instant that thou dost raise thy hand against the Child of Light or any of his companions, thy heart shall burst, and thou shalt die between two breaths"

"So be it then I rule in Mallorea, and to change or falter because of any threat--even yours--is to beco in my own eyes, and I will not do that"

"Then shalt thou surely die, and in thy death shall thy hty empire crumble into dust" She said it with a dreadful finality

He stared at her, his pale face growing even s, Emperor of Mallorea, so I will e, I will be thy hostage The Child of Light doth know that should I depart from this life ere my task is complete, his quest will surely fail What better restraint canst thou place upon him?"

"I will not threaten you, Holy Seeress," he said, sounding a bit less sure of hihty Zakath?"

"It would not be appropriate," he said shortly "Was that all you had to say to me? I have certain duties to attend to''

"They are of no moment Thine only true duties are to me and to the task which I shall lay upon thee The completion of that task is the purpose of thy life It was for that and for that only that thou was born Shouldst thou refuse it, thou wilt not live to see another winter"

"That's the second time you've threatened my life since you arrived, Cyradis Do you hate me so much?"

"I do not hate thee, Zakath, and I made no threats I merely revealed unto thee that which fate has in store for thee Wilt thou accept thy task?"

"Not until I know a little more about it"

"Very well, then I will reveal unto thee the first part of thy task Thou must come to me at Kell, where I shall sube, but thou art also surely ht and his other chosen co of days, thou art of their company"