"It all sounds very complicated."
"It is. These things usually are."
Zakath went to the door of the tent and spoke briefly with one of the guards posted there. Then he came back. "I've sent for Atesca and Brador," he said. He smiled a bit ruefully. "I wouldn't be surprised if they objected rather violently to this whole thing."
"Don't give them time to object," Garion advised.
"They're both Melcenes, Garion," Zakath pointed out. "Melcenes object to things out of habit." He frowned. "Speaking of that, why did you go to Melcena? Wasn't it a bit out of your way?"
"We were following Zandramas," Garion replied.
"Why did she go there?"
"She had to pick up your cousin, Archduke Otrath."
"That silly ass? What for?"
"She took him to Hemil and crowned him Emperor of Mallorea."
"She did what?’ Zakath's eyes bulged.
"She needs an Angarak king with her when she gets to the Place Which Is No More. As I understand it, the coronation ceremony had a certain validity."
"Not after I get my hands on Otrath, it won't!" Zakath's face was scarlet with anger.
" There was another reason for our going to Melcena— although we didn't know it at the time," Belgarath said. "There was an unmutilated copy of the Ashabine Oracles there. I had to read that in order to find out that our next step is the trip to Kell. I'm following a trail that was laid down for me thousands of years ago." '.
Atesca and Brador entered. "You sent for us, your Majesty?" Atesca said with a crisp salute.
"Yes," Zakath replied. He looked at the two of them speculatively. "Please listen carefully," he instructed, "and try not to argue with me." Oddly he said it not so much in the tone of imperial command, but rather as a man appealing to two old friends. "There's been a change of plans," he went on. "Certain information has come into my possession, and it's absolutely imperative that we not interfere with Belgarion and his friends. Their mission is vital to the security of Mallorea."
Brador's eyes came alight with curiosity. "Shouldn't I perhaps be briefed on this matter, your Imperial Majesty?" he asked. "State security is my responsibility, after all."‘
"Ah—no, Brador," Zakath said regretfully, "I'm afraid not. It might require too great an adjustment in your thinking. You're not ready for that. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure I am, either. At any rate, Belgarion and these others absolutely must go to Dalasia." He paused. "Oh, one other thing," he added. "I'll be going with them."
Atesca stared incredulously at his Emperor. Then, with some effort, he got himself under control. "I'll notify the commander of the Imperial Guard, your Majesty," he said stiffly. "They'll be ready to leave within the hour."
"Don't bother," Zakath told him. "They won't be going with us. I'll be going with Belgarion alone."
"Alone?" Atesca exclaimed. "Your Majesty, that's unheard of."
Zakath smiled wanly. "You see," he said to Garion. "What did I tell you?"
"General," Belgarath said to Atesca, "Kal Zakath is simply following orders. I'm sure you can understand that. He was told not to bring any troops along. Troops wouldn't do him any good where we're going anyway."
"Orders?" Atesca said in amazement. "Who has the authority to give his Majesty orders?"
"It's a long story, Atesca," the old man told him, "and we're pressed for time."
"Ah—your Imperial Majesty," Brador said diffidently, "if you're going to Dalasia, that means you'll have to cross the whole of Darshiva. Might I remind you that Darshiva is hostile territory at the moment? Is it wise to risk the imperial person under such circumstances? Might not an escort at least as far as the border be prudent?"
Zakath looked at Belgarath.
The old man shook his head. "Let's just do it the way we were told to," he said.
"Sorry, Brador," Zakath said. "We can't take an escort with us. I think I'll need some armor, though, and a sword."
"Your Majesty has not held a sword for years," Atesca objected.
"Belgarion can give me some instruction." Zakath shrugged. "I'm sure I'll pick it up again. Now then, Urvon's going to cross the Magan. I have it on very good authority that there won't be very much we can do to stop him. I imagine that the Darshivan Army won't be very far behind him, and they have elephant cavalry with them. I want you to keep all those people off my back. Delay Urvon long enough for the Darshivans to catch up with him. After that, they can annihilate each other, for all I care. Once those two armies are fully engaged, pull back your forces. Don't get any more of my soldiers killed than you absolutely have to."
Atesca frowned. "Then the policy we discussed at Maga Renn is no longer in force?" he asked.
Zakath shrugged. "Policy changes from time to time," he said. "At this point, I'm militantly indifferent about who wins an unimportant battle in this corner of the world. That may give you some idea of just how vital Belgarion's mission is." He looked at Garion. "Does that cover everything?"
"Except for the demons," Garion replied. "They're here in Darshiva, too."
.Zakath frowned. "I'd forgotten about them. They'll come to Urvon's aid, won't they?"
"Nahaz will," Belgarath told him. "Mordja will help the Darshivans."
"You're going a little fast for me."
"When Urvon showed up with Nahaz in tow, Zandramas raised a Demon Lord of her own," the old man explained. "She went a little far afield for him, actually. Mordja is Lord over the demons in Morindland. He and Nahaz are evenly matched, and they've hated each other for all eternity."
"Then it still appears to be a stalemate. Both sides have an army and they both have demons."
"Demons are grossly unselective in their choice of victims, Zakath," Polgara said. "They'll kill anything that moves, and your own army's here in Darshiva."
"I hadn't thought of that," he conceded. He looked around. "Any suggestions?"
Belgarath and Polgara exchanged a long look. "I suppose it’ss worth a try," the old sorcerer shrugged. "He's not fond of Angaraks, but He's even less fond of demons. I think we'll have better luck with Him if we go outside the camp, though."
"Exactly who are we talking about?" Zakath asked curiously.