King of The Murgos

choked voice. "It—it's in the drawer at the bottom of my wardrobe in my room."
    "Your methods are direct, assassin," the queen observed.
    "I'm a simple man, your Majesty," Issus replied. "I do not have the temperament for subtlety nor intricacy. I've found that directness saves time in the long run." He released the terrified Sariss and pushed his UIgo dagger back into his sheath. He looked at Garion. "Do you want me to go get the parchment?" he asked.
    "I think we're going to need it."
    "All right." Issus turned and left the room.
    "An interesting man," Salmissra noted. She bent and caressingly touched her mottled coils with her blunt nose. "My life is much changed since you were last here, Polgara," she whispered in her dusty voice. "I am no longer driven by those hungers I had before, but pass my days instead in restless doze. I lull myself into slumber with the sweet sound of my own scales caressing each other. As I sleep, I dream. I dream of mossy caves in deep, cool forests, and I dream of the days when I was still a woman. But sometimes in my dreams, I am a bodiless spirit, seeking out the truths that others would hide. I know of the fear which lies in your heart, Polgara, and the desperate need that drives Zandramas. I even know of the terrible task which lies upon Cyradis."
    "But you still say that you are not involved in this matter?"
    "I have no interest in it. You and Zandramas can pursue each other across all the kingdoms of the world, but I am incurious as to the outcome."
    Aunt Pol's eyes narrowed as she looked at her.
    "I have no reason to He to you, Polgara," Salmissra said, sensing the suspicion in that look. "What could Zandramas possibly offer me that would buy my aid? All of my needs are satisfied, and I no longer have desires." Her blunt head came up and her tongue flickered. "I rejoice, however, that your quest has brought you again into my presence so that I may gaze once more upon the perfection of your face."
    Polgara's chin lifted. "Look quickly then, Salmissra. I have little patience for the involuted amusements of a snake."
    "The centuries have made you waspish, Polgara. Let us be civil to one another. Would you like to have me tell you what I know of Zandramas? She is no longer what she once was."
    "She!" Garion exclaimed.
    "You did not even know that?" the serpent hissed maliciously. "Your sorcery is a sham, then, Polgara. Could you not sense your enemy is a woman? And did you perhaps not even realize that you have already met her?"
    "What are you talking about, Salmissra?"
    "Poor, dear Polgara. The long, long centuries have filled your wits with cobwebs. Did you really think that you and Belgarath are the only ones in the world who can change their shapes? The dragon who visited you in the mountains above Arendia appears quite different when she resumes her natural form."
    The door to the throne room opened and Issus came back in, holding a parchment sheet with a red wax seal on the bottom of it.
    "Bring it to me," Salmissra commanded.
    Issus looked at her, his single eye narrowing as he gauged the distance between the serpent's throne and his own unprotected skin. Then he went over to the prostrate eunuch who had presented Polgara's document to the queen. Without changing expression, he kicked the man solidly in the ribs. "Here," he said, thrusting out the parchment. "Take this to her Majesty."
    "Are you afraid of me, Issus?" Salmissra asked, sounding faintly amused.
    "I am unworthy to approach you too closely, my Queen."
    Salmissra bent her head to examine the parchment the trembling eunuch held out for her to read. "There appears to be some discrepancy," she hissed. "This document is the same as the one you showed me, Polgara, but it is not the document to which I ordered my seal affixed. How is this possible?"
    "May I speak, my Queen?" the eunuch who held the parchment asked in a quavering voice.
    "Of course, Adiss," she replied almost pleasantly, "so long as you realize that if your words displease me, the kiss I will give you in payment will bring you death." Her forked tongue flickered out toward him.
    The eunuch's face went a ghastly gray color, and his trembling became so violent that he very nearly collapsed.
    "Speak, Adiss," she whispered. "It is my command that you disclose your mind to me. We will determine then whether you live or die. Speak. Now."
    "My Queen," he quavered, "the Chief Eunuch is the only person in the palace permitted to touch your Majesty's royal seal.