"How did you do that?" Velvet murmured to Sadi. "I'd take an oath that you were never anywhere near his food."

Sadi smirked wickedly. "I didn't have to go near his food, Liselle," he said. "The other night I took a rather careful note of his customary place at the table. He always sits to the king's right. I slipped in here an hour or so ago and anointed his spoon with a little something that makes a man's throat swell shut." He paused. "I hope he enjoyed his soup," he added. "I know I certainly did."

"Liselle," Silk said, "when we get back to Boktor, why don't you have a chat with your uncle? Sadi's out of work just now, and Javelin could use a man with his talents."

"It snows in Boktor, Kheldar," Sadi said with some distaste, and I really don't like snow that much."

"You wouldn't necessarily have to be stationed in Boktor, Sadi. How would Tol Honeth suit you? You'd have to let your hair grow, though."

Zakath leaned forward, chuckling. "Brilliant, Sadi,” he added his congratulations, "and so perfectly appropriate. Naradas poisoned me back in Rak Hagga, and you poisoned him here. I'll tell you what, I'll double any offer Javelin makes you if you'll come to work for me in Mal Zeth."

"Zakath!" Silk exclaimed.

"The employment opportunities seem to be cropping up in all quarters of the world," Sadi observed.

"Good men are hard to find, my friend," Zakath told him.

The king, shaking and with his face white, was being slowly escorted from the room. As he passed their table, Garion could hear him sobbing.

Belgarath began to swear under his breath.

"What's the matter, father?" Polgara asked him."

"That idiot will be in mourning for weeks. I'll never get my hands on that map."

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Belgarath was still swearing when they returned to their quarters. "I think I’ve outsmarted myself," he fumed. "We should have exposed Naradas before we killed him. There's no way to discredit him in the king's eyes now."

Cyradis sat at the table eating a simple meal with Toth standing protectively over her. "What hath thou wrought, Ancient One?" she asked.

"Naradas is no longer with us," he replied, "and now the king's in mourning for him. It could be weeks before he recovers his composure enough to show me that map."

Her face grew distant and Garion seemed to hear the murmur of mat strange group mind. "I am permitted to aid thee in this, Ancient One," she said. "The Child of Dark hath violated the commandment we laid upon her when we assigned her this task. She sent her henchman here rather than coming to seek the chart herself. Thus certain strictures upon me are relaxed."

She leaned back in her chair and spoke briefly to Toth. He nodded and quietly left the room. “I have sent for one who will assist us," she said.