Page 68 (1/2)

"Those sweets aren't good for them, you know," she chided

"A little bit won't hurt them, Pol," he said, "and they like the for sweets"

"You're disgusting," she told hi al flowers - all, that is, except for the tawny one who'd captured Garion She stood a bit apart, sulking and fingering the point of her arrow She finally ca away, are you?" she asked hopefully

"No," Garion denied ehed with disappointment "I don't suppose you'd consider it, would you - as a special favor to ain, bitterly this tiet to have any fun," she complained and went to join the others

Silk e slowly and carefully; and after the Dryads had become accustomed to him, Durnik appeared

"They're just children, aren't they?" Garion commented to Aunt Pol

"They seem to be," she said, "but they'reas her tree does, and oak trees live for a long tiirls"

"There aren't any boy Dryads, dear," she explained, returning to her cooking

"Then how-? Ihot

"They catch human males for that," she said "Travelers and the like"

"Oh" He delicately let the subject drop

After they had eaten breakfast and carefully quenched their fire ater froh the Wood Mister Wolf walked ahead with the tiny Dryads still gathered around hi of the trees about theh a kind of welco rustle from a million leaves

It was late afternoon by the ti in the center of the Wood Standing alone in the e that Garion could hardly accept the idea that anything so enormous could be alive Here and there in its s alhways and they spread out to shade nearly the entire clearing There was about the tree a sense of vast age and a patient wisdom Tentatively Garion felt a faint touch on his ainst his face The touch was unlike anything he had ever felt before, but it also seemed to welco randoirlish chatter filled the air like birdsongs

"I'll tell my mother you've arrived," the one called Xera said and went toward the tree

Garion and the others dismounted and stood uncertainly near their horses Fro a often

For some reason the frank, mirthful stares of the Dryads made Garion feel very self conscious He moved closer to Aunt Pol and noticed that the others were also clustering around her as if unconsciously seeking her protection

"Where's the princess?" she asked

"She's just over there, Mistress Pol," Durnik answered, "visiting with that group of Dryads"

"Keep your eye on her," Aunt Pol said "And where's rant father?"

"Near the tree," Garion replied "The Dryads seem very fond of him"