Sorceress of Darshiva

news that our dear brother Gethel of Thulldom recently died— probably something he ate. Thulls eat almost anything that swims, flies, crawls, or spawns on rotten meat. It's a pity, actually. Gethel was one of the few people in the world I could bully. Anyway, he's been succeeded on the throne by his half-wit son, Nathel. I’ve met Nathel. He has the mentality of an earthworm, but he's a true Angarak king. Why don't you see if he wants to go to Mallorea with you? It might take you a while to explain to him where Mallorea is, since I mink he believes that the world is flat, but I have every confidence in you, Agachak." Urgit flipped his hand at the fuming Hierarch. "Run along now," he said. "Go back to your temple and gut a few more Grolims. Maybe you can even get the fires started in your sanctum again. If nothing else, I'm sure it will calm your nerves."
    Agachak stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
    Urgit doubled over, pounding on the arm of his throne and howling in glee.
    "Don't you think you might have gone just a bit too far, my son?" Lady Tamazin asked from the shadowy alcove where she had been listening.
    "Perhaps so, mother," he agreed, still laughing, "but wasn't it fun?"
    She limped into the light and smiled fondly at him. "Yes, Urgit," she agreed, "it was, but don't push Agachak too far. He can be a dangerous enemy.''
    "I’ve got lots of enemies, mother," Urgit said, tugging unconsciously at his long, pointed nose. "Most of the people in the world hate me, but I've learned to live with that. It's not as if I had to run for reelection, you know."
    The bleak-faced seneschal, Oskatat, also came out of the shadowed alcove. "What are we going to do with you, Urgit?" he said wryly. "What did Belgarion teach you, anyway?"
    "He taught me how to be a king, Oskatat. I may not last very long, but by the Gods, as long as I'm here, I'm going to be a king. They're going to kill me anyway, so I might as well enjoy myself while I can."
    His mother sighed, then raised her hands helplessly. "There's no reasoning with him, Oskatat," she said.
    "I suppose not, my Lady Tamazin," the gray-haired man agreed.
    "Princess Praia wants to speak with you," Tamazin said to her son.
    "I am at her immediate disposal," Urgit said. "Not only immediate, but perpetual, if I understand the terms of the marriage contract."
    "Be nice," Tamazin chided.
    "Yes, mother."
    The Princess Praia of the House of Cthan swept in through a side door. She wore a riding habit consisting of a calf-length black skirt, a white satin blouse and polished boots. Her heels hit the marble floor like little hammers. Her long black hair swayed at her back, and her eyes were dangerous. She held a parchment scroll in her hands.
    "Will you assist me, my Lord Oskatat?" Lady Tamazin asked, holding one hand out to the seneschal.
    "Of course, my Lady," he replied, offering his arm to Urgit's mother with tender solicitude. The two of them withdrew.
    "Now what?" Urgit warily asked his bride-to-be.
    "Am I disturbing your Majesty?" Praia asked. She did not bother to curtsy. The princess had changed. She was no longer a properly submissive Murgo lady. The time she had spent with Queen Ce'Nedra and the Margravine Lis-elle had definitely corrupted her, Urgit felt, and the unwholesome influence of Polgara the sorceress showed in her every move and gesture. She was, however, Urgit concluded, absolutely adorable now. Her black eyes flashed, her delicate white skin seemed to reflect her mood, and her wealth of black hair seemed almost alive as it flowed down her back. Rather surprisingly, Urgit found that he was very fond of her.
    "You always disturb me, my beloved," he answered her question, spreading his arms extravagantly.
    "Stop that," she snapped. "You sound like your brother."
    "It runs in the family."
    "Did you put this in here?" she demanded, waving the scroll at him like a club.
    "Did I put what in where?"
    "This." She unrolled the scroll. " 'It is agreed that Princess Praia of the House of Cthan shall be his majesty's most favored wife,' " she read. "Most favored wife" came out from between clenched teeth.
    "What's wrong with that?" he asked, a little surprised at the girl's vehemence.
    "The implication is that there will be others."
    "It's the custom, Praia. I didn't make the rules."
    "You're the king. Make different rules."
    "Me?" He swallowed hard.
    "There will be no other wives, Urgit—or royal concubines." Her usually gentle voice seemed to crackle. "You are