Sorceress of Darshiva

Angarak theology," Zakath mused. "I don't think the Grolims even admit the existence of UL."
    "They would if they ever saw Him," Silk said.
    "Is He really that impressive-looking?" Brador asked.
    "It's not so much the way He looks." Silk shrugged. "It's the sense of His presence. It's overwhelming."
    "He was very nice to me," Ce'Nedra objected.
    "Everybody's nice to you, Ce'Nedra," Silk told her. "You have that effect on people.''
    "Most of the time," Garion corrected.
    "I suppose we'd better start packing," Durnik suggested. "I think Belgarath's going to want to leave just as soon as he gets back." He looked at Atesca. "Do you suppose we could get a few things from your stores?" he asked. "It's a long way to Kell, and I don't think we'll be able to pick up much in the way of supplies here in Darshiva."
    "Of course, Goodman Durnik," the general replied.
    "I'll make out a list of the things we'll need, then."
    As Durnik sat down at the table to draw up his list, Atesca gave Silk a penetrating look. "We never did get the chance to talk about your recent venture in the commodities market, did we, your Highness?" he said.
    "Are you considering a second career, Atesca?" Zakath asked him.
    "Hardly, your Majesty. I'm quite happy as a soldier. Prince Kheldar recently did a bit of speculation in this year's bean crop. The Bureau of Military Procurement went into a state of anguished consternation when they found out his asking price."
    Brador suddenly chuckled. "Good for you, Kheldar," he said.
    "That's a peculiar attitude, Brador," Zakath reproved him. "How would you like it if I took Prince Kheldar's excess profits out of your budget?"
    "Actually, your Majesty, Kheldar's venture didn't cost your treasury a thing. The members of the Bureau of Military Procurement are the greatest unhanged scoundrels in the empire. Some years ago, while you were busy in Cthol Murgos, they sent you a rather innocuous-looking document having to do with standardizing the prices of all the items they purchase for the army."
    "I remember it—vaguely. Their argument seemed to be that it would provide a basis for long-range planning."
    "That was on the surface, your Majesty. In actuality, fixing those prices provided them with a golden opportunity to line their own pockets. They could buy at below the fixed price, sell to the army at the legal rate, and keep the difference for themselves."
    "What is the fixed rate on beans?"
    "Ten half-crowns per hundredweight, your Majesty."
    "That doesn't seem unreasonable."
    "When they're buying at three half-crowns?"
    Zakath stared at him.
    Brador held up one hand. "However," he said, "by law, they have to sell to the army at ten—no matter what price they have to pay, so they have to make up the difference out of their own pockets. That might account for the anguish General Atesca mentioned."
    Zakath suddenly grinned a wolfish sort of grin. "What price were you asking, Kheldar?" he asked.
    "I sold out to the Melcene Consortium at fifteen." The little man shrugged, buffing his nails on the front of his tunic. "I'd imagine that they added a few points to that-reasonable profit, you understand."
    "And you controlled the entire bean crop?"
    "I certainly tried."
    "I feel fairly sure that your Majesty will receive several letters of resignation from members of the Bureau," Brador said. "I'd advise not accepting them until after all accounts are settled."
    "I'll keep that in mind, Brador." Zakath looked speculatively at Silk. "Tell me, Kheldar," he said, "how much would you take to suspend operations here in Mallorea?"
    "I don't really believe your Majesty's treasury has that much money," Silk replied blandly. "Besides, I've become a sort of necessity. The Mallorean economy was stagnant until I got here. You could almost say that I'm working for you."
    "Did that make any sense?" Zakath asked Brador.
    "Yes, your Majesty," Brador sighed. "In a peculiar way, it does. Our tax revenues have been rising steadily since Kheldar and his scruffy-looking partner began doing business here in the empire. If we were to expel him, it's entirely possible that the economy would collapse."
    "Then I'm at his mercy?"
    "To some degree, yes, your Majesty."
    Zakath sighed mournfully. "I wish I hadn't gotten out of bed this morning," he said.
    Both Belgarath and Polgara looked troubled when they returned with Eriond close behind them. The blond young man, however, looked as unconcerned as always.
    "What did He say?" Garion asked.
    "He