The Seeress of Kell

everything was finished."
    "You got your son back, then?"
    "Yes."
    "Well, trot him out, boy. We all invested a lot of effort in trying to find him for you."
    Ce'Nedra came forward carrying Geran, and Anheg enfolded them both in a bear hug. "Your Majesty," he greeted the Rivan Queen, "and you, your Highness." He grinned and tickled the little boy. Geran giggled.
    Ce'Nedra tried a curtsy.
    "Don't do that, Ce'Nedra," Anheg told her. "You'll drop the baby."
    Ce'Nedra laughed and then smiled at Emperor Varana. "Uncle," she said.
    "Ce'Nedra," the silvery-haired emperor replied. "You're looking well." He squinted at her. "Is it my imagination, or are you putting on a little weight?"
    "It's just temporary, uncle," she replied. "I'll explain later."
    Brador and Atesca approached Zakath. "Why, your Imperial Majesty," Atesca said to his emperor in feigned surprise. "Imagine meeting you here of all places."
    "General Atesca," Zakath said to him, "don't we know each other well enough to ignore these subterfuges?"
    "We were worried about you, your Majesty," Brador said. "Since we were in the vicinity anyway . . ." The bald man spread his hands.
    "And just what were you two doing in this vicinity? Didn't I leave you back on the banks of the Magan?"
    "Something came up, your Majesty," Atesca put in. "Urvon's army fell all apart, and the Darshivans seemed to be distracted. Brador and I seized the opportunity to bring Peldane and Darshiva back into the empire, and we’ve been pursuing the remnants of the Darshivan army all over eastern Dalasia."
    "Very good, gentlemen," Zakath approved. "Very, very good. I should take a vacation more often."
    "This was his idea of a vacation?" Sadi murmured.
    "Of course," Silk replied. "Fighting dragons can be very invigorating."
    Zakath and Varana had been eyeing each other speculatively.
    "Your Imperial Majesties," Garion said politely, "I should probably introduce you. Emperor Varana, this is his Imperial Majesty, Kal Zakath of Mallorea. Emperor Zakath, this is his Imperial Majesty, Ran Borune XXIV of the Tolnedran Empire."
    "Just Varana will do, Garion," the Tolnedran said. "We've all heard a lot about you, Kal Zakath," he said, extending his hand.
    "None of it good, I'm sure, Varana." Zakath smiled, shaking the other emperor's hand warmly.
    "Rumors are seldom accurate, Zakath."
    "We have much to discuss, your Imperial Majesty," Zakath said.
    "Indeed we do, your Imperial Majesty."
    King Oldorin of Perivor appeared to be in a state verging on nervous prostration. His island kingdom, it seemed, was quite suddenly awash with royalty. Garion made the introductions as gently and, he hoped, as painlessly as possible. King Oldorin mumbled a few greetings, almost forgetting his thees and thous. Garion drew him to one side. "This is a momentous occasion, your Majesty," he said. "The presence in one place of Zakath of Mallorea, Varana of Tolnedra, and Anheg of Cherek doth presage the possibility of tremendous steps toward that universal peace for which the world hath longed for eons.”
    "Thine own presence doth not diminish the occasion, Belgarion of Riva."
    Garion bowed his acknowledgment. "Though the courtesy and hospitality of thy court are the marvel of the known world, your Majesty," he said, "it were foolish of us not to seize this opportunity in so noble a cause. Thus I implore thee that my friends and I may closet separately for some time to explore the possibilities of this chance meeting, although it seemeth to me that chance hath had but small part in this coming to pass. Surely the Gods themselves have had a hand in it."
    "I am certain of it, your Majesty," Oldorin agreed. "There are council chambers on the topmost floor of my palace, King Belgarion. They are at the immediate disposal of thyself and thy royal friends. I have no doubt that momentous things may emerge from this meeting, and the honor I shall accrue that it is to take place beneath my roof doth overwhelm me quite."
    It was an impromptu meeting that was held in the upper chambers of the palace. Belgarath, by common consent, presided. Garion agreed to look after the interests of Queen Porenn, and Durnik to those of King Fulrach. Relg spoke for Ulgo and Maragor. Mandorallen represented Arendia, and Hettar spoke for his father. Silk stood in for his brother, Urgit. Sadi spoke for Salmissra, and Nathel spoke for the Thulls, although very seldom. No one was particularly interested in taking the part of Drosta lek Thun of Gar og