"Thanks," Belgarath said dryly. Then he went on to describe the two meetings, the one in Gar og Nadrak and the other here. "The similarities are a little striking, aren't they?"

"Coincidence?"

"Shrugging things off as coincidence is the best way I know of to get in trouble. "

"All right. For the sake of argument, let's say it wasn't coincidence." The dwarf squatted in the dirt at the roadside, his face twisted in thought. "Why don't we take this theory of yours a step farther?" he mused. "Let's look at the notion that these repetitions crop up at significant points in the course of events."

"Sort of like signposts?" Durnik suggested.

"Exactly. I couldn't have found a better term myself. Let's suppose that these signposts point at really important things that are right on the verge of happening—that they're sort of like warnings.''

"I'm hearing a lot of 'notions' and 'supposes,' " Silk said skeptically. "I think you're off into the realm of pure speculation."

"You're a brave man, Kheldar," Beldin said sardonically. "Something could be trying to warn you about a potential catastrophe, and you choose to ignore the warning. That's either very brave or very stupid. Of course I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt by using the word 'brave' instead of the other one."

"One for his side," Velvet murmured.

Silk flushed slightly. "But how do we know what it is that's going to happen?" he objected.

"We don't,'' Belgarath said. "The circumstances just call for some extra alertness, is all. We've been warned. The rest is up to us."

They took some special precautions when they set up their encampment that evening. Polgara prepared supper quickly, and the fire was extinguished as soon as they had finished eating. Garion and Silk took the first watch. They stood atop a knoll behind the camp, peering into the darkness.

"I hate this," Silk whispered.

"Hate what?"

"Knowing that something is going to happen without knowing what it is. I wish those two old men would keep their speculations to themselves."

"Do you really like surprises?"

"A surprise is better than living with this sense of dread. My nerves aren't what they used to be."

"You're too high-strung sometimes. Look at all the entertainment you're getting out of anticipation."

"I'm terribly disappointed in you, Garion. I thought you were a nice, sensible boy.''

"What did I say?"

"Anticipation. In this situation, that's just another word for 'worry,' and worry isn't good for anybody."

"It's just a way to get us ready in case something happens."

"I'm always ready, Garion. That's how I’ve managed to live so long, but right now I feel almost as tightly wound as a lute string."

"Try not to think about it."

"Of course," Silk retorted sarcastically. "But doesn't that defeat the purpose of the warning? Aren't we supposed to think about it?"