Sorceress of Darshiva

Kell if we go into the mountains down near the border of Gandahar?"
    The big mute nodded, then gestured to Durnik.
    "It's going to be more difficult, though," the smith translated. "The mountains are very rugged down there, and there's still a lot of snow at the higher elevations."
    "We'll lose a lot of time, Grandfather," Garion said.
    "Not as much as we'll lose if we get caught in the middle of a battle. All right. Let's go south."
    "In a moment, father," Polgara said. "Ce'Nedra," she called, "come up here." Ce'Nedra shook her reins and drove her carriage up to where they stood.
    Polgara quickly explained the situation to her. "Now then," she said, "we need to know exactly what they're doing and what they're planning to do—both armies. I think it's time for you to use my sister's amulet."
    "Why didn't I think of that?" Belgarath said, sounding a bit embarrassed.
    "You were too busy trying to remember all the swearwords you've ever heard," Beldin suggested.
    "Can you do that and drive the carriage at the same time?" Polgara asked the little queen.
    "I can try, Lady Polgara." Ce'Nedra sounded a little dubious. She lifted the sleeping puppy out of her lap and laid him beside his mother.
    "'Let's move out," Belgarath said.
    They turned off the road and jolted across an open field through long-dead grass. After they had gone a short distance, Ce'Nedra called to Polgara. "It's not working, Lady Polgara," she said. "I need both hands on the reins on this rough ground."
    They reined in.
    "It's not that big a problem," Velvet said. "I'll lead the carriage horse, and Ce'Nedra can concentrate on what she's doing."
    "It's a little dangerous, Liselle," Belgarath objected. "If that carriage horse shies, he'll jerk you out of the saddle and the carriage will run right over you."
    "Have you ever seen me fall off a horse, Ancient One? Don't worry, I'll be perfectly fine." She rode over to the carriage horse and took hold of his reins. They started out slowly and then gradually picked up speed. Polgara rode beside the carriage, and Ce'Nedra, a little frown of concentration on her face, kept her hand on the amulet chained about her throat.
    "Anything?" Polgara asked.
    "I'm hearing a lot of random conversation, Lady Polgara," the little queen replied. "There are great numbers of people out there. Wait a minute," she said, "I think I've pinpointed Nahaz. That's not the sort of voice you forget." She frowned. "I think he's talking to Urvon's generals. They've had the Hounds out, so they know the elephants are coming."
    "Will you be able to come back to them?" Belgarath asked her.
    "I think so. Once I find somebody, I can usually locate him again fairly quickly."
    "Good. See if you can find out if the Darshivan generals know that Urvon's just ahead of them. If there's going to be a battle, I want to know exactly where it's going to happen."
    Ce'Nedra turned slightly, her amulet clenched tightly in her fist. She closed her eyes. After a moment, she opened them. "I do wish they'd be still," she fretted.
    "Who?" Silk asked her.
    "The elephant herders. They babble worse than old women. Wait. There they are. I've got them now." She listened for a few moments as the carriage jolted along over the rough ground. "The Darshivan officers are very worried," she reported. "They know that Urvon's army is somewhere in the mountains, but they don't know his exact location. None of their scouts came back to report."
    "The Hounds are probably seeing to that," Silk said.
    "What are the Darshivans planning?" Belgarath asked.
    "They're undecided. They're going to push on cautiously and send out more scouts."
    "All right. Now see if you can go back to Nahaz."
    "I'll try." She closed her eyes again. "Oh, that's revolting!" she exclaimed after a moment.
    "What is it, dear?" Polgara asked her.
    "The Karands have found a narrow gorge. They're going to lure the elephants into it and then roll boulders and burning bushes down on them from the top." She listened for a few moments longer. "Once they've eliminated the elephants, the whole army is going to charge down out of the foothills and attack the rest of the Darshivans."
    "Is Urvon there?" Beldin asked, his eyes intent.
    "No. He's off to the side someplace. He's raving."
    "I think you'd better go find that gorge," Belgarath told the dwarf. "That's where the battle's going to be, and I want to be sure it's behind us and not on up ahead somewhere."
    "Right," Beldin agreed, crouching and spreading his arms.