The Seeress of Kell

hath spoken correctly the words that gained you entry."
    "More riddles," he said sourly.
    "A riddle is sometimes the surest way to make the mind receptive."
    He grunted.
    "It was necessary for the riddle to be solved and the tasks to be completed ere I could reveal to you that which must be revealed." She rose to her feet. "Let us depart from this place then, and go down even unto Kell. My guide and dear companion will bear the great book that must be delivered into the hands of Ancient Belgarath.''
    The mute giant went to a shelf on the far side of the dimly lit room and took down a large book bound in black leather. He tucked it under his arm, took his mistress by the hand, and led them back out of the house.
    "Why the secrecy, Cyradis?" Beldin asked the blindfolded girl. "Why do the seers hide up here on the mountain instead of staying at Kell?"
    "But this is Kell, gentle Beldin."
    "What's that city down in the valley, then?"
    "Also Kell." She smiled. "It hath ever been thus among us. Unlike the cities of others, our communities are widespread. This is the place of the seers. There are many other places on this mountain—the place of the wizards, the place of the necromancers, the place of the diviners—and all are a part of Kell."
    ''Trust a Dal to come up with an unnecessary complication.''
    "The cities of others are built for different purposes, Beldin. Some are for commerce. Some are for defense. Our cities are built for study.''
    "How can you study if you have to walk all day in order to talk with your colleagues?''
    "There is no need for walking, Beldin. We can speak to each other whenever we choose. Is this not the way in which thou and Ancient Belgarath converse?"
    "That's different," he growled.
    "In what way?"
    "Our conversations are private."
    "We have no need of privacy. The thoughts of one are the thoughts of all."
    It was shortly before noon when they emerged from the cavern into the warm sunlight again. Gently guiding Cyradis, Toth led them back to the gap in the ridge and down the steep path that crossed the high meadows. After about an hour of descent, they entered a cool green forest where birds caroled from the treetops and insects whirled like specks of fire in the slanting columns of sunlight.
    The trail was still steep, and Garion soon discovered one of the disadvantages of walking downhill for any extended period of time. A large and painful blister was forming atop one of the toes on his left foot, and a few twinges from his right clearly indicated that he would soon have a matched set. He gritted his teeth and limped on.
    It was nearly sunset when they reached the gleaming city in the valley. Garion noticed with a certain satisfaction that Beldin was also limping as they walked along the marble street that led to the house Dalian had lodged them in. The others were eating when they entered. As it chanced to happen, Garion was looking at Zakath's face when the Mallorean saw that Cyradis was with them. His olive-skinned face paled slightly, a pallor made more pronounced by the short black beard he had grown to conceal his identity. He rose to his feet and bowed slightly. "Holy Seeress," he said respectfully.
    "Emperor of Mallorea," she responded. "As I promised thee in cloud-dark Darshiva, I surrender myself up to thee as thy hostage.''
    "There's no need to talk of hostages, Cyradis," he replied with a slightly embarrassed flush. "I spoke in haste in Darshiva, before I clearly understood what it is that I am to do. I am committed now.''
    "I am, nonetheless, thy hostage, for it is thus preordained, and I must accompany thee unto the Place Which Is No More to face the task that awaits me."
    "You must all be hungry," Velvet said. "Come to the table and eat."
    "I must complete one task first, Huntress," Cyradis told her. She held out both hands, and Toth placed the heavy book he had carried down from the mountain in them.
    "Ancient Belgarath," she said in that strangely choral voice, "thus do we commend into thy hands our holy book as the stars have instructed us to do. Read it carefully, for thy destination is revealed in its pages.''
    Belgarath rose quickly, crossed to her, and took the book, his hands trembling with eagerness. "I thank you, Cyradis. I know how precious the book is, and I will care for it while it is in my hands and return it once I've found what I need." Then he went to a smaller table near the window, sat, and opened the heavy volume.
    "Move over," Beldin told him,