"We were quite put out with you on Verkat," Durnik told her. "That was before we understood the reason for what you did. I'm afraid I treated Toth very badly for a while. He was good enough to forgive me, though."

The big mute smiled at him and made a few gestures.

Durnik laughed. "You don't really have to do that anymore, Toth," he told his friend. "I finally figured out how you were talking to me."

Toth lowered his hands.

Durnik seemed to listen for a moment. "Yes," he agreed. "It's much easier this way—and faster, too—now that we don't have to wave our hands at each other. Oh, by the way, Eriond and I found a pond a little ways below the city here. It has some very nice trout in it."

Toth grinned broadly.

"I thought you might feel that way." Durnik grinned back.

"I'm afraid we've corrupted your guide, Cyradis," Polgara apologized.

"Nay, Polgara." The Seeress smiled. "This passion hath been upon him since boyhood. Ofttimes in our travels he hath found excuse to linger for a time by some lake or stream. I do not chide him for this, for I am fond of fish, and he doth prepare them exquisitely."

They finished their meal and sat, talking quietly to avoid disturbing Belgarath and Beldin who still sat poring over the Mallorean Gospels.

"How is Zandramas going to find out where we're all going?" Garion asked the Seeress. "Since she's a Grolim, she can't come here."

"That I may not tell thee, Child of Light. She will, however, arrive at the appointed place at the proper time."

"With my son?"

"As it hath been foretold."

"I'm looking forward to that meeting." He said it bleakly. "There are a great many things Zandramas and I have to settle.''

"Let not thy hatred blind thee to thy tasks," she told him quite seriously.

"And what is my task, Cyradis?"

"That thou wilt know when it doth face thee."

"But not before?"

"Nay. Thy performance of that task would be marred shouldst thou consider it overlong."

"And what is my task, Holy Seeress?" Zakath asked her. "You said you would instruct me here at Kell."

"I must reveal that to thee in private, Emperor of Mallorea. Know, however, that thy task will begin when thy companions have completed theirs, and it will consume the balance of thy life.''

"As long as we're talking about tasks," Sadi said, "perhaps you could explain mine to me."

"You have already begun it, Sadi."

"Am I doing it very well?"

She smiled. "Passing well, yes."

"I might do a little better if I knew what it is.''

"Nay, Sadi. Even as Belgarion's, thy task would be marred shouldst thou know of it."

"Is this place we're going to very far?" Durnik asked her.

"Many leagues, and there is yet much to be done."