Sorceress of Darshiva

least as far as the border be prudent?"
    Zakath looked at Belgarath.
    The old man shook his head. "Let's just do it the way we were told to," he said.
    "Sorry, Brador," Zakath said. "We can't take an escort with us. I think I'll need some armor, though, and a sword."
    "Your Majesty has not held a sword for years," Atesca objected.
    "Belgarion can give me some instruction." Zakath shrugged. "I'm sure I'll pick it up again. Now then, Urvon's going to cross the Magan. I have it on very good authority that there won't be very much we can do to stop him. I imagine that the Darshivan Army won't be very far behind him, and they have elephant cavalry with them. I want you to keep all those people off my back. Delay Urvon long enough for the Darshivans to catch up with him. After that, they can annihilate each other, for all I care. Once those two armies are fully engaged, pull back your forces. Don't get any more of my soldiers killed than you absolutely have to."
    Atesca frowned. "Then the policy we discussed at Maga Renn is no longer in force?" he asked.
    Zakath shrugged. "Policy changes from time to time," he said. "At this point, I'm militantly indifferent about who wins an unimportant battle in this corner of the world. That may give you some idea of just how vital Belgarion's mission is." He looked at Garion. "Does that cover everything?"
    "Except for the demons," Garion replied. "They're here in Darshiva, too."
    .Zakath frowned. "I'd forgotten about them. They'll come to Urvon's aid, won't they?"
    "Nahaz will," Belgarath told him. "Mordja will help the Darshivans."
    "You're going a little fast for me."
    "When Urvon showed up with Nahaz in tow, Zandramas raised a Demon Lord of her own," the old man explained. "She went a little far afield for him, actually. Mordja is Lord over the demons in Morindland. He and Nahaz are evenly matched, and they've hated each other for all eternity."
    "Then it still appears to be a stalemate. Both sides have an army and they both have demons."
    "Demons are grossly unselective in their choice of victims, Zakath," Polgara said. "They'll kill anything that moves, and your own army's here in Darshiva."
    "I hadn't thought of that," he conceded. He looked around. "Any suggestions?"
    Belgarath and Polgara exchanged a long look. "I suppose it’ss worth a try," the old sorcerer shrugged. "He's not fond of Angaraks, but He's even less fond of demons. I think we'll have better luck with Him if we go outside the camp, though."
    "Exactly who are we talking about?" Zakath asked curiously.
    "Aldur," Belgarath replied. He scratched at his cheek.
    "Would it be safe to tell Him that you'd be very reluctant to go with us if your army was in danger?" he asked.
    "I think you could say that, yes." Zakath's eyes widened. "Are you trying to say you can actually summon a God?" he asked incredulously.
    "I'm not sure if summon is exactly the right word. We can talk with Him, though. We'll see what He says,"
    "You're not really going to try subterfuge, are you, father?" Polgara asked the old man.
    "Aldur knows what I'm doing," he replied. "I couldn't deceive Him if I tried. Zakath's reluctance just gives us a starting point for the conversation. Aldur's reasonable, but He's always liked a good argument. You should know that, Pol. He helped to educate you, after all. Let's see if we can talk with Him."
    "Would it be all right if I came along?" Eriond asked. "I need to talk with Him, too."
    Belgarath looked a bit surprised at that. He looked for a moment as if he were about to refuse, but then he seemed to change his mind. "Suit yourself," he shrugged.
    "Atesca, could you have your guards escort us as far as that ditch around the outside of the camp? We'll go on from there alone."
    Atesca spoke with the guards at the door of the tent, and the three were allowed to leave without challenge.
    "I'd give a great deal to witness this meeting," Brador murmured. "Have you ever seen Aldur, Prince Kheldar?"
    "A couple of times, yes," Silk replied in an offhand manner. "Once in the Vale and then again at Cthol Mishrak when He and the other Gods came to claim the body of Torak after Garion killed Him."
    "I'd imagine that He took a certain satisfaction in that," Zakath said. "Aldur and Torak were sworn enemies."
    "No," Garion disagreed sadly. "No one took any pleasure in the death of Torak. He and Aldur were brothers. I think UL grieved the most, though. Torak was His son, after all."
    "There seem to be some fairly huge gaps in