The Seeress of Kell

About all I can tell you is that somebody very important is coming, and I'm supposed to help him."
    "And that's going to take you the rest of your life?"
    "And probably the lives of a lot of others, as well."
    "Mine, too?"
    "I don't think so. I think your task will be over after the meeting. Cyradis sort of implied that you've done enough already."
    They set out early that morning and rode out onto a rolling plain along the west side of the Balasa River. There were farm villages here and there, villages that looked rude, but in which the houses were really very well constructed. The Dalasian villagers labored in the fields with the simplest of tools.
    "And it's all subterfuge," Zakath said wryly. "These people are probably far more sophisticated than even the Melcenes, and they've gone to a great deal of trouble to hide the feet."
    "Would thy people or the priests of Torak have left them unmolested had the truth been known?" Cyradis asked him.
    "Probably not," he admitted. "The Melcenes in particular would likely have pressed most of the Dals into service in the bureaucracy.”
    "That would not have been compatible with our tasks."
    "I understand that now. When I get back to Mal Zeth, I think I'll make some changes in imperial policy toward the Dalasian Protectorates. Your people are doing something much, much more important than raising beets and turnips for the rest of Mallorea."
    "If all goes well, our work will be done once the meeting hath taken place, Emperor Zakath.”
    "But your studies will continue, won't they?"
    She smiled. "Inevitably. The habits of eons die very hard."
    Belgarath pulled his horse in beside Cyradis. "Could you be a bit more specific about what we're supposed to be looking for when we get to Perivor?" he asked her.
    "It is as I told thee at Kell, Ancient Belgarath. At Perivor thou must seek out the map that will guide thee to the Place Which Is No More."
    “How is it that the people of Perivor know more about it than the rest of the world?”
    She did not reply.
    "I gather that this is another one of those things you're not going to tell me."
    "I may not at this time, Belgarath."
    Beldin came soaring in. "You'd better get ready," he said. "There's a patrol of Darshivan soldiers just ahead."
    "How many?" Garion asked quickly.
    "A dozen or so. They've got a Grolim with them. I didn't want to get too close, but I think it's White-eyes. They're hiding in ambush in a grove of trees in the next valley."
    "How would he know we're coming this way?" Velvet asked in perplexity.
    "Zandramas knows that we're going to Perivor," Polgara replied. "This is the shortest route."
    "A dozen Darshivans don't really pose much of a threat," Zakath said confidently. "What's the purpose of this, then?"
    "Delay," Belgarath told him. "Zandramas wants to hold us up so that she can get to Perivor before we do. She can communicate with Naradas over long distances. We can probably expect him to set traps for us every few miles all the way to Lengha."
    Zakath scratched at his short beard, frowning in concentration. Then he opened one of his saddlebags, took out a map, and consulted it. "We're still about fifteen leagues from Lengha," he said. He squinted at Beldin. "How fast could you cover that distance?"
    "A couple hours. Why?"
    "There's an imperial garrison there. I'll give you a message to the garrison commander with my seal on it. He'll move out with troops and spring those traps from behind. As soon as we join those forces, Naradas won't be bothering us anymore." Then he remembered something. "Holy Seeress," he said to Cyradis, "back in Darshiva, you told me to leave my troops behind when I came to Kell. Is that prohibition still in effect?"
    "Nay, Kal Zakath."
    "Good. I'll write that message."
    "What about the patrol hiding just ahead?" Silk asked Garion. "Or are we just going to wait here until Zakath's troops arrive?"
    "I don't think so. What's your feeling about a little exercise?"
    Silk's answering grin was vicious.
    "There's still a problem, though," Velvet said. "With Beldin on his way to Lengha, we won't have anyone to scout out any other ambushes."
    "Tell the she with yellow hair not to be concerned," the wolf said to Garion. "One is able to move without being seen, or if one is seen, the man-things will pay no heed."
    "It's all right, Liselle," Garion said. "The wolf will scout for us."
    "She's a very useful person to have along." Velvet smiled.
    "Person?" Silk said.
    "Well, isn't she?"
    He frowned.