The Seeress of Kell

more personal reason for thee to visit the chapel where Master Erezel lies in state, your Majesty," Zakath added. "His funeral will be held, we are told, tomorrow. The ceremony will be attended by most of thy court. This night provides thee thy last opportunity to visit with him privately and to fix his well-loved features in thy memory. My friend and I will guard the chapel door to insure that thy communion with him and with his spirit shall be undisturbed."
    The king considered that. "It may be even as thou sayest, Sir Knight," he conceded. "Though it may wring my heart, I would indeed look upon his face one last time. Very well, then, let us repair to the chapel." He rose and led them from the chamber.
    The chapel of Chaldan, the Arendish God, was dimly lighted by a lone candle standing on the bier at the body's head. A gold-colored cloth covered the immobile form of Naradas to the chest, and his face was calm, even serene. Knowing what he did of the Grolim's career, Garion found that apparent serenity a mockery.
    “We will guard the chapel door, your Majesty,” Zakath said, "and leave thee alone with thy friend." He and Garion stepped back out into the corridor and closed the door.
    "You were very smooth back there," Garion told his friend.
    "You weren't so bad yourself, but smooth or rough, at least we got him here."
    They stood at the door awaiting Cyradis and the others. After about a quarter of an hour, they arrived.
    "Is he in there?" Belgarath asked Garion.
    "Yes. We had to do a bit of fast talking, but he finally agreed."
    Standing beside Cyradis was a figure robed and hooded in black. It appeared to be a woman, a Dal most likely, but it was the first time Garion had ever seen one of that race clad in any color but white. "This is the one who will aid us," the Seeress said. "Let us go in unto the king, for the hour is nigh."
    Garion opened the door, and they filed in.
    The king looked up in some surprise.
    "Be not dismayed, King of Perivor," Cyradis said to him,, "for, as thy champions have told thee, we have come to reveal truths to thee, truths which will lessen thy sorrow."
    "I am grateful for thine efforts, Lady," the king replied, "but that is scarce possible. My sorrow may neither be lessened nor banished. Here lieth my dearest friend, and my heart lieth on that cold bier with him."
    "Thine heritage is in part Dal, your Majesty," she said to him, "so thou art aware that many of us possess certain gifts. There are things the one you called Erezel did not tell thee ere he died. I have summoned one who will question him ere his spirit doth sink into the darkness."
    "A necromancer? Truly? I have heard of such, but have never seen the art practiced."
    "Knowest thou that one with such gifts cannot misspeak what the spirits reveal?"
    "I understand so, yes."
    "I assure thee that it is true. Let us then probe the mind of this Erezel, and see what truths he will reveal to us."
    The dark-robed and hooded necromancer stepped to the bier and laid her pale, slender hands on Naradas' chest,
    Cyradis began posing the questions. "Who art thou?" she asked.
    "My name was Naradas," the figure in black replied in a halting, hollow voice. "I was Grolim Archpriest of the Temple of Torak at Hemil in Darshiva."
    The king stared first at Cyradis and then at the body of Naradas in stunned astonishment.
    "Whom didst thou serve?" Cyradis asked.
    "I served the Child of Dark, the Grolim Priestess Zandramas."
    "Wherefore earnest thou to this kingdom?."
    "My mistress sent me hither to seek out a certain chart and to impede the progress of the Child of Light to the Place Which Is No More."
    "And what means didst thou use to accomplish these ends?"
    "I sought out the king of this isle, a vain and foolish man, and I beguiled him. He showed me the chart which I sought, and the chart revealed to me a wonder which my shadow conveyed immediately to my mistress. Now she knows precisely where the final meeting is to take place. I prevailed upon the king's gullibility and was able to lead him into various acts which delayed the Child of Light and his companions so that my mistress might arrive at the Place Which Is No More before him and thereby avoid the necessity of leaving the issue in the hands of a certain seeress whom my mistress distrusts."
    "How is it that thy mistress did not herself perform this task, which was lain upon her and not upon thee?" Cyradis' voice was stern.
    "Zandramas had other concerns. I was her right hand, and all