"Well, I suppose so, but 'babbling' is such an unflattering word."

"I presume there was a reason for it?" Sadi suggested.

"Of course," Ce'Nedra said. "I saw fairly soon that those girls weren't going to be very talkative, so I filled up the spaces. They began to loosen up after a bit. I talked so that Liselle could watch their faces." She smiled smugly. "It worked out fairly well, even if I do say it myself.''

"Did you get anything out of them?" Polgara asked.

"A few things," Velvet replied. "Nothing all that specific, but a few hints. I think we should be able to get a bit more this afternoon."

Ce'Nedra looked around. "Where's Durnik?" she asked. "And Eriond?"

"Where else?" Polgara sighed.

"Where did they find any water to fish in?"

"Durnik can smell water from several miles away," Polgara told her in a resigned tone of voice, "and he can tell you what kind of fish are in it, how many, and probably even what their names are."

"I've never cared all that much for fish myself," Beldin said.

"I don't know that Durnik does either, uncle."

"Why does he bother them then?"

She spread her hands helplessly. "How should I know? The motives of fishermen are dreadfully obscure. I can tell you one thing, though."

"Oh? What's that?"

"You've said a number of times that you want to have some long conversations with him."

"Yes, I do."

"You'd better learn how to fish then. Otherwise, he probably won't be around."

"Has anybody come by to give us any kind of word about Cyradis?" Garion asked,

"Not a soul," Beldin replied.

"We don't really have time for an extended stay," Garion fretted.

"I might be able to stir an answer out of somebody,'' Zakath offered. "She commanded me to present myself to her here at Kell." He winced slightly. "I can't believe I just said that. Nobody's commanded me to do anything since I was about eight years old. Anyway, you know what I mean. I could insist that somebody take me to her so 1 can obey her orders."

"I think you might choke on that one, Zakath," Silk said lightly. "Obey is a difficult concept for someone in your position. ''

"He's an irritating little fellow, isn't he?" Zakath said to Garion.

"I’ve noticed."

"Why, your Majesties," Velvet said, all wide-eyed innocence, "what a thing to suggest."

"Well, isn't he?" Zakath said pointedly.

"Of course, but it's not nice to talk about it."

Silk looked slightly offended. "Would you people like for me to go away so you can talk freely?"

"Oh, that won't be necessary, Kheldar," Velvet said with a dimpled smile.

They gained little more in me way of information that afternoon, and the frustration of the fruitless quest made them all irritable. "I think perhaps we should follow up that idea of yours," Garion said to Zakath after supper.