Castle of Wizardry

don't you?" Polgara suggested smoothly.
    "How's the squabble over the succession going?" Rhodar asked in the tone of a man making small talk.
    "It's still up in the air," Ran Borune responded, also in a neutral manner. "The Honeths seem to be joining forces, though."
    "That's unfortunate," Rhodar murmured. "The Honeths have a bad reputation."
    Under Colonel Brendig's direction, a squad of Sendarian soldiers were quickly erecting a large, bright-colored pavilion on the green turf not far away.
    "Did you deal with Duke Kador, father?" Ce'Nedra inquired.
    "His Grace found his life burdensome," Ran Borune replied with a short laugh. "Someone rather carelessly left some poison lying about in his prison cell, and he sampled it extensively. We gave him a splendid funeral."
    Ce'Nedra smiled. "I'm so sorry I missed it."
    "The pavilion is ready now," King Fulrach told them. "Shall we go inside?"
    They all entered and sat at the table the soldiers had placed inside. Lord Morin, the Emperor's chamberlain, held Ce'Nedra's chair for her. "How has he been?" Ce'Nedra whispered to the brown-mantled official.
    "Not well, Princess," Morin replied. "Your absence grieved him more than he cared to admit."
    "Is he eating well - and getting his rest?"
    "We try, Highness." Morin shrugged. "But your father's not the easiest person in the world to get along with."
    "Do you have his medicine?"
    "Naturally, Highness. I never go anywhere without it."
    "Suppose we get down to business," Rhodar was saying. "Taur Urgas has sealed his western border, and the southern Murgos have moved into position around Rak Goska. 'Zakath, the Mallorean Emperor, has set up a staging area on the plains outside Thull Zelik to receive his troops as he ferries them in. We're running out of time, Ran Borune."
    "I'm negotiating with Taur Urgas," the Emperor replied, "and I'll dispatch a plenipotentiary to 'Zakath immediately. I'm certain this can be settled without a war."
    "You can talk to Taur Urgas until your tongue falls out," Anheg snorted, "and 'Zakath probably doesn't even know or care who you are. As soon as they've gathered their forces, they'll march. The war can't be avoided, and I for one am just as happy about that. Let's exterminate the Angaraks once and for all."
    "Isn't that just a bit uncivilized, Anheg?" Ran Borune asked him.
    "Your Imperial Majesty," King Korodullin said formally, "the King of Cherek speaks hastily perhaps, but there is wisdom in his words. Must we live forever under the threat of invasion from the East? Might it not be best forever to quell them?"
    "All of this is very interesting," Ce'Nedra interrupted them coolly, "but it's really beside the point. The actual point at issue here is that the Rivan King has returned, and Tolnedra is required by the provisions of the Accords of Vo Mimbre to submit to his leadership."
    "Perhaps," her father replied. "But young Belgarion seems to be absent. Have you misplaced him somewhere? Or is it perhaps that he still had pots to scrub in the scullery at Riva so that you had to leave him behind?"
    "That's beneath you, father," Ce'Nedra said scornfully. "The Overlord of the West requires your service. Are you going to shame the Borunes and Tolnedra by abrogating the Accords?"
    "Oh, no, daughter," he said, holding up one hand. "Tolnedra always meticulously observes every clause of every treaty she's ever signed. The Accords require me to submit to Belgarion, and I'll do precisely that - just as soon as he comes here and tells me what he wants."
    "I am acting in his stead," Ce'Nedra announced.
    "I don't seem to recall anything that states that the authority is transferable."
    "I am the Rivan Queen," Ce'Nedra retorted hotly, "and I've been invested with co-rulership by Belgarion himself."
    "The wedding must have been very private. I'm a little hurt that I wasn't invited."
    "The wedding will take place in due time, father. In the meantime, I speak for Belgarion and for Riva."
    "Speak all you want, girl." He shrugged. "I'm not obliged to listen, however. At the moment, you're only the betrothed of the Rivan King. You are not his wife and therefore not his queen. If we want to be strictly legal about it, until such time as you do marry, you're still under my authority. Perhaps if you apologize and get out of that stupidlooking armor and put on proper clothing, I'll forgive you. Otherwise, I'll be forced to punish you."
    "Punish? Punish!"
    "Don't scream at me, Ce'Nedra," the Emperor said hotly.
    "Things seem