"Yes, but you know I'm wearing it. What possessed you to try to gouge me in the ribs?"

"Habit, I suppose. Stay awake, Garion."

"I wasn't sleeping," he lied.

"Really? Why were you snoring then?"

Following the speeches, the king assessed the glassy-eyed condition of his court and called upon “Good Master Feldegast" to lighten things up.

Beldin was at his outrageous best that day. He walked on his hands; he did astonishing back-flips; he juggled with amazing dexterity all the while telling jokes in his lilting brogue. "I hope I’ve managed in me small way t' add t' the festivities, yer Majesty," he concluded the performance after bowing in response to the enthusiastic applause of the assemblage.

"Thou art truly a virtuoso, Master Feldegast," the king complimented him. "The memory of thy performance this day will warm many a dreary winter evening in this hall."

"Ah, yer too kind t' say it, yer Majesty." Beldin bowed.

Before the banquet got under way, Garion and Zakath went back to their quarters for a light meal, since they would be unable to eat in the main dining hall without raising their visors. As guests of honor, however, it was incumbent upon them to be present.

“I’ve never gotten very much entertainment out of watching other people eat," Zakath said quietly to Garion after they had entered the banquet hall and taken their seats.

"If you want entertainment, watch Beldin," Garion replied. "Aunt Pol spoke very firmly with him last night. She told him to mind his manners today. You’ve seen the way he usually eats.The strain of behaving himself should come very close to making him fly apart."

Naradas sat at the king's right elbow. His white eyes were uncertain even slightly baffled. The fact that Belgarath had made no attempt to get his hands on the map obviously confused him.

And then the serving men began to bring in the banquet. The smells made Garion’s mouth water, and he began to wish that he'd eaten a bit more earlier.

"I must talk with the king's chef before we leave," Polgara said. "This soup is exquisite."

Sadi chuckled slyly.

"Did I say something amusing, Sadi?"

"Just watch, Polgara. I wouldn't want to spoil it for you."

Suddenly there was a commotion at the head of the table. Naradas had half risen, clutching at his throat with his hands. His white eyes were bulging, and he was making strangling noises.

"He's choking!" the king cried out. "Someone help him!"

Several of the nobles near the head of the table leaped to their feet and began to pound the Grolim on the back. Naradas, however, continued to strangle. His tongue protruded from his mouth, and his face started to turn blue.

"Save him!" the king almost screamed.

But Naradas was beyond saving. He arched backward, stiffened, and toppled to the floor.

There were cries of dismay from all over the dining hall.