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"It isn't necessary," Lelldorin advised weakly from his litter "Not even an arht you didn't like him," Barak said, a little surprised

"I don't," Lelldorin admitted, "but he's the most feared man in Arendia Even in Asturia we've heard of Sir Mandorallen No sane man would stand in his way"

They drew back into the shelter of the forest and waited for the knight to cory "It is as I feared," he announced "A war doth rage in our path - a senseless war, since the two barons involved are kinso around it?" Silk asked

"Nay, Prince Kheldar," Mandorallen replied "Their conflict is so widespread that ould be waylaid ere we had gone three leagues I e"

"Do you think they'll take money to let us pass?" Durnik asked dubiously

"In Arendia there is another way to make such purchase, Goodman," Mandorallen responded "May I prevail upon thee to obtain six or eight stout poles perhaps twenty feet in length and about as thick as my wrist at the butt?"

"Of course" Durnik took up his axe

"What have you got in e theht could refusecalled craven Wilt thou be e, ested

"Lose?" Mandorallen seemed shocked "I? Lose?"

"Let it pass," Silk said

By the time Durnik had returned with the poles, Mandorallen had finished tightening various straps beneath his ar one of the poles, he vaulted into his saddle and started at a rolling trot toward the column of smoke, with Barak at his side

"Is this really necessary, father?" Aunt Pol asked

"We have to get through, Pol," Mister Wolf replied "Don't worry Mandorallen knohat he's doing"

After a couple of miles they reached the top of a hill and looked down at the battle beloo grim, black castles faced each other across a broad valley, and several villages dotted the plain on either side of the road The nearest village was in fla froray sky overhead, and serfs ar each other with a sort of mindless ferocity on the road itself Soe, and the air was thick with arrows On two opposing hills parties of arht-colored pennons on their lances watched the battle Great siege engines lofted boulders into the air to crash down on the struggling , so far as Garion could tell, friend and foe indiscri

"Stupid," Wolf muttered darkly

"No one I know of has ever accused Arends of brilliance," Silk observed

Mandorallen set his horn to his lips and blew a shattering blast The battle paused as the soldiers and serfs all stopped to stare up at hiain, each brassy note a challenge it itself As the two opposing bodies of knights galloped through the kneehigh, winter-yellowed grass to investigate, Mandorallen turned to Barak "If it please thee, e as soon as they approach us"

Barak shrugged "It's your skin," he noted He eyed the advancing knights and then lifted his voice in a great roar "Sir Mandorallen, Baron of Vo Mandor, desires entertainment," he declaimed "It would amuse him if each of your parties would select a champion to joust with his that you have no sto and stand aside so that your betters may pass"