"Ce'Nedra," the silvery-haired emperor replied. "You're looking well." He squinted at her. "Is it my imagination, or are you putting on a little weight?"

"It's just temporary, uncle," she replied. "I'll explain later."

Brador and Atesca approached Zakath. "Why, your Imperial Majesty," Atesca said to his emperor in feigned surprise. "Imagine meeting you here of all places."

"General Atesca," Zakath said to him, "don't we know each other well enough to ignore these subterfuges?"

"We were worried about you, your Majesty," Brador said. "Since we were in the vicinity anyway . . ." The bald man spread his hands.

"And just what were you two doing in this vicinity? Didn't I leave you back on the banks of the Magan?"

"Something came up, your Majesty," Atesca put in. "Urvon's army fell all apart, and the Darshivans seemed to be distracted. Brador and I seized the opportunity to bring Peldane and Darshiva back into the empire, and we’ve been pursuing the remnants of the Darshivan army all over eastern Dalasia."

"Very good, gentlemen," Zakath approved. "Very, very good. I should take a vacation more often."

"This was his idea of a vacation?" Sadi murmured.

"Of course," Silk replied. "Fighting dragons can be very invigorating."

Zakath and Varana had been eyeing each other speculatively.

"Your Imperial Majesties," Garion said politely, "I should probably introduce you. Emperor Varana, this is his Imperial Majesty, Kal Zakath of Mallorea. Emperor Zakath, this is his Imperial Majesty, Ran Borune XXIV of the Tolnedran Empire."

"Just Varana will do, Garion," the Tolnedran said. "We've all heard a lot about you, Kal Zakath," he said, extending his hand.

"None of it good, I'm sure, Varana." Zakath smiled, shaking the other emperor's hand warmly.

"Rumors are seldom accurate, Zakath."

"We have much to discuss, your Imperial Majesty," Zakath said.

"Indeed we do, your Imperial Majesty."

King Oldorin of Perivor appeared to be in a state verging on nervous prostration. His island kingdom, it seemed, was quite suddenly awash with royalty. Garion made the introductions as gently and, he hoped, as painlessly as possible. King Oldorin mumbled a few greetings, almost forgetting his thees and thous. Garion drew him to one side. "This is a momentous occasion, your Majesty," he said. "The presence in one place of Zakath of Mallorea, Varana of Tolnedra, and Anheg of Cherek doth presage the possibility of tremendous steps toward that universal peace for which the world hath longed for eons.”

"Thine own presence doth not diminish the occasion, Belgarion of Riva."