Urgit shuddered. "I'm very strongly inclined toward that line of thinking myself," he admitted, "but I owe Belgarion several favors, and I want to protect my brother as much as I can. I'll tell you what you do, Oskatat. Take about three army corps and run on down to Rak Cthaka. Malloreans out in the countryside will run off to Rak Hagga to pass the word on to Kal Zakath that we're beginning to attack his cities. That should get his attention. Mill around outside the city for a while, then surround the place. Ask for a parlay with the garrison commander. Explain the situation to him. I'll compose a letter to Kal Zakath pointing out a certain community of interest in this affair. I'm sure he doesn't want Agachak in Mallorea any more than I want the old magician here in Cthol Murgos. I'll suggest in the strongest terms that he pass the word on to Belgarion. The word he'll have already received about our hostile actions will guarantee that he'll at least look at my letter. He'll get in touch with Belgarion, and then we can both sit back and watch the Godslayer solve our problem for us." He grinned suddenly. "Who knows? This might even be the first step toward a reconciliation between his Imperial Implacableness and me. I really think it's time for Angaraks to stop killing each other."

“Can't you squeeze any more speed out of her?” King Anheg demanded of Captain Greldik.

"Of course, Anheg," Greldik growled. "I could crowd on more sail, and we'll be as swift as an arrow for about five minutes. Then the masts will break, and we'll go back to rowing. Which shift should I put you down for?"

"Greldik, have you ever heard the term 'Your Majesty'?"

"You’ve mentioned it frequently, Anheg, but you should take a look at maritime law sometime. When we're on board this ship and at sea, I have even more absolute authority than you've got in Val Alorn. If I tell you to row, you'll row or swim."

Anheg walked away, muttering curses under his breath.

"Any luck?" Emperor Varana asked as the Alorn king approached the bow.

"He told me to mind my own business," Anheg grunted. "Then he offered to let me man an oar if I was in such a hurry."

"Have you ever manned an oar before? "

"Once. Chereks are a seagoing people, and my father thought it would be educational for me to make a voyage as a deckhand. I didn't mind the rowing so much. It was the flogging that irritated me.”

"They actually flogged the crown prince?" Varana asked incredulously.

"It's very hard to see an oarsman's face when you're coming up behind him.” Anheg shrugged. “The oarsmaster was trying to get more speed out of us. We were pursuing a Tolnedran merchantman at the time, and we didn't want her to reach the safety of Tolnedran territorial waters."

"Anheg!" Varana exclaimed.