Their friend, Baron Astellig, was unhorsed on the second pass. "Is he all right?" Zakath asked with concern.

"He's still moving," Garion said. "He probably just broke one of his legs."

"At least we won't have to fight him. I hate hurting friends. Of course, I don't have all that many friends."

"You probably have more than you realize."

After the third pass of the front rank, Zakath said, "Garion, have you ever studied fencing?"

"Alorns don't use light swords, Zakath. Except for the Algars."

"I know, but the theory is similar. If you twist your wrist or elbow at the last instant, you could knock your opponent's lance aside. Then you could correct your aim and smash into the center of his shield when his lance is completely out of position. He wouldn't have a chance at that point, would he?"

Garion considered it. "It's highly unorthodox," he said dubiously.

"So is using sorcery, isn't it? Would it work?"

"Zakath, you're using a fifteen-foot lance, and it weighs about two pounds a foot. You'd need arms like a gorilla to move it around that fast.”

"Not really. You don't really have to move it that far back and forth. Just a tap would do. Can I try it?"

"It's your idea. I'll be here to pick you up if it doesn't work."

"I knew I could count on you." Zakath's voice sounded excited even boyish.

"Oh, Gods," Garion murmured almost in despair.

"Anything wrong?" Zakath asked.

"No, I guess not. Go ahead and try it, if you feel that you have to."

"What difference does it make? I can't get hurt, can I?"

"I wouldn't go entirely that far. Do you see that?" Garion pointed at a knight who had just been unhorsed and had come down on his back across the center pole of the lists, scattering bits and pieces of his armor in all directions.

"He's not really hurt, is he?"

"He's still moving a little bit but they'll need a blacksmith to get him out of his armor before the physicians can go to work On him."

"I still mink it might work," Zakath said stubbornly.

"We'll give you a splendid funeral if it doesn't. All right. It's our turn. Let's go get our lances."