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"Lady Polgara says that you're supposed to get up," she told hilanced out the tent flap and saw that the sun was shining

"She's teaching me how to cook," Ce'Nedra said rather proudly

"That's nice," Garion told her, pushing his hair out of his eyes

She looked at hireen eyes intent "Garion"

"Yes?"

"You were very brave yesterday"

He shrugged slightly "I'll probably get a scolding for it today"

"What for?"

"Aunt Pol and randfather don't like it when I try to be brave," he explained "They think I'et hurt"

"Garion!" Aunt Pol called fro "I need hed and rolled out of his blankets He pulled on his half boots, belted on his sword and went off into the woods

It was still dae oaks from the downpour Aunt Pol had called down the day before, and dry as hard to find He wandered about, pulling li rocks The silent trees watched hi

"What are you doing?" a light voice ca to his sword

A girl was standing on a broad limb just over his head She wore a belted tunic and sandals Her hair was a tawny color, her gray eyes were curious, and her pale skin had that faint greenish hue to it that identified her as a Dryad In her left hand she held a bow, and her right held an arrow against the taut string The arroas pointed directly at Garion

He carefully took his hand away fro wood," he said

"What for?"

"My aunt needs it for the fire," he explained

"Fire?" The girl's face hardened, and she half drew her bow "A s"

"Fire isn't perirl said sternly

"You'll have to explain that to Aunt Pol," Garion told her "I just do what I'irl came from behind a nearby tree She also carried a bow Her hair was almost as red as Ce'Nedra's, and her skin was also touched with the color of leaves

"It says it's gathering wood," the first girl reported, "for a fire Do you think I should kill it?"

"Xantha says we're supposed to find out who they are," the redhaired one said thoughtfully "If it turns out that they don't have any business here, then you can kill it"