"Ah," Salmissra hissed, "and the beautiful Polgara and King Belgarion. You've fallen in with important people since you left my service, Sadi."

"Pure chance, my Queen," Sadi lied glibly.

"What is this vital matter that impelled you to risk your life by coming into my presence again?”

"Only this, Eternal Salmissra," Sadi replied. He set his red leather case on the floor, opened it, and removed a folded parchment. He casually kicked a groveling eunuch in the ribs. "Take this to the queen," he commanded.

"You're not enhancing your popularity here, Sadi," Garion cautioned quietly.

"I’m not running for public office, Garion. I can be as disagreeable as I choose to be."

Salmissra quickly perused the Accords of Dal Perivor. "Interesting," she hissed.

"I’m sure your Majesty can see the opportunities implicit in those accords," Sadi said. "I felt it was my responsibility to make you aware of them.”

"Of course I can see what's involved, Sadi," she said. "I'm a snake, not a cretin.”

"Then I'll bid you good-bye, my Queen. I’ve performed my last duty to you."

Salmissra's eyes had gone flat with concentration. "Not just yet, my Sadi," she said in a whisper that was almost a purr. "Come a little closer."

"You gave your word, Salmissra," he said apprehensively.

"Oh, do be sensible, Sadi," she said. "I'm not going to bite you. It was all a ploy, wasn't it? You had discovered the possibility that these accords might be in the making and you deliberately set out to have yourself disgraced so that you could pursue them. Your negotiations on my behalf were brilliant, I must say. You have done very well, Sadi even if your actions involved deceiving me. I am well pleased with you. Would you consent to resume your former position here in the palace?"

"Consent, my Queen?" he blurted almost boyishly. "I'd be overjoyed. I live but to serve you."

Salmissra swiveled her head around to regard the prostrated eunuchs. "You will all leave me now," she commanded them. “I want you to go throughout the palace and spread the word that Sadi has been rehabilitated and that I’ve reinstated him. If anyone cares to dispute my decision, send him to me, and I'll explain it to him."

They stared at her, and Garion noticed that not a few faces were filled with chagrin,

"How tiresome," Salmissra sighed. "They're too delighted to move. Please drive them out, Issus."

“As my Queen desires,” Issus said, drawing his sword. ”Did you want them all to survive?"

"A few of them, Issus the more nimble ones."

The throne room was vacated almost immediately.

"I cannot sufficiently thank your Majesty," Sadi said.

"I'll think of a way, my Sadi, First of all, we'll both pretend that the motives I suggested a moment ago were genuine, won't we?"

"I understand perfectly, Divine Salmissra."