Guardians of the West

million, as I understand it," Brendig replied.
    "Well," Belgarath said, his eyes going wide. "Well, well, well."
    Polgara gave him a level gaze. "What have you got in your mind, father?" she asked him pointedly.
    "It's just that I'm pleased for you, Pol," he said expansively. "Any father would be happy to know that his child has done so well." He turned back to Brendig. "Tell me, General, Just who's managing my daughter's fortune?"
    "It's supervised by the crown, Belgarath," Brendig replied.
    "That's an awful burden to lay on poor Fulrach," Belgarath said thoughtfully, "considering all his other responsibilities. Perhaps I ought to-"
    "Never mind, Old Wolf," Polgara said firmly.
    "I just thought-"
    "Yes, father. I know what you thought. The money's fine right where it is."
    Belgarath sighed. "I've never been rich before," he said wistfully.
    "Then you won't really miss it, will you?"
    "You're a hard woman, Polgara -to leave your poor old father sunk in deprivation like this."
    "You've lived without money or possessions for thousands of years, father. Somehow I'm almost positive that you'll survive."
    "How did you get to be the Duchess of Erat?" Durnik asked his wife.
    "I did the Duke of Vo Wacune a favor," she replied. "It was something that no one else could do. He was very grateful."
    Durnik looked stunned. "But Vo Wacune was destroyed thousands of years ago," he protested.
    "Yes. I know."
    "I think I'm going to have trouble getting used to all this."
    "You knew that I wasn't like other women," she said.
    "Yes, but-"
    "Does it really matter to you how old I am? Does it change anything?"
    "No," he said immediately, "not a thing."
    "Then don't worry about it."
    They moved in easy stages across southern Sendaria, stopping each night at the solid, comfortable hostels operated by the Tolnedran legionnaires who patrolled and maintained the imperial highway and arriving in Muros on the afternoon of the third day after their departure from Camaar. Vast cattle herds from Algaria were already filling the acre upon acre of pens lying to the east of the city, and the cloud of dust raised by their milling hooves blotted out the sky. Muros was not a comfortable town during the season of the cattle drives. It was hot, dirty, and noisy. Belgarath suggested that they pass it up and stop for the night in the mountains where the air would be less dust-clogged and the neighbors less rowdy.
    "Are you planning to accompany us all the way to the Vale?" he asked General Brendig after they had passed the cattle pens and were moving along the Great North Road toward the mountains.
    "Ah -no, actually, Belgarath," Brendig replied, peering ahead at a band of Algar horsemen approaching along the highway. "As a matter of fact, I'll be turning back about now."
    The leader of the Algar riders was a tall, hawk-faced man in leather clothing, with a raven-black scalp lock flowing behind him. When he reached the wagon, he reined in his horse.
    "General Brendig," he said in a quiet voice, nodding to the Sendarian officer.
    "My Lord Hettar," Brendig replied pleasantly.
    "What are you doing here, Hettar?" Belgarath demanded.
    Hettar's eyes went very wide. "I just brought a cattle herd across the mountains, Belgarath," he said innocently. "I'll be going back now and I thought you might like some company."
    "How strange that you just happen to be here at this particular time."
    "Isn't it, though?" Hettar looked at Brendig and winked.
    "Are we playing games?" Belgarath asked the pair of them. "I don't need supervision and I definitely don't need a military escort every place I go. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
    Durnik went to the wagon and took a coil.
    "We all know that, Belgarath," Hettar said placatingly. He looked at the wagon. "It's nice to see you again, Polgara," he said pleasantly. Then he gave Durnik a rather sly look. "Married life agrees with you, my friend," he added. "I think you've put on a few pounds."
    "I'd say that your wife has been adding a few extra spoonfuls to your plate as well." Durnik grinned at his friend.
    "Is it starting to show?" Hettar asked.
    Durnik nodded gravely. "Just a bit," he said.
    Hettar made a rueful face and then gave Errand a peculiar little wink. Errand and Hettar had always got on well together, probably because neither of them felt any pressing need to fill up the silence with random conversation.
    "I'll be leaving you now," Brendig said. "It's been a pleasant journey." He bowed to Polgara and