"Garion, there's some basis in fact for all superstitions." The little man squinted at the dark woods lining the upper end of the beach. "Not a very inviting coast, is it? I wonder why the ship didn't put us down in some seaport?"

"I don't think anybody really knows why the Dals do anything."

After the horses had been unloaded from the ship, Garion and the others mounted and rode up the beach into the woods. "I think I'd better cut you and Zakath some lances," Durnik said to Garion. "Cyradis had some reason for putting you two in armor, and I’ve noticed that an armored man usually looks a little undressed without a lance.” He dismounted, took his axe, and went back among the trees. He returned a few moments later with two stout poles. "I'll put points on them when we stop for the evening," he promised.

"This is going to be awkward," Zakath said, fumbling with his lance and shield.

"You do it like this," Garion said, demonstrating. "Buckle the shield on your left arm and hold the reins in your left hand. Then set the butt of the lance in the stirrup beside your right foot and hold it in place with your free hand."

"Have you ever fought with a lance?"

"A few times, yes. It's fairly effective against another man wearing armor. Once you knock him off his horse, it takes him quite awhile to get back on his feet again."

Beldin, as usual, had been scouting ahead. He came drifting back, ghosting among the trees on almost motionless wings. "You're not going to believe this," he said to Belgarath after he had changed back into his own form.

"What's that?"

"There's a castle up ahead."

"A what?"

“A large building. They usually have walls, moats, and drawbridges."

"I know what a castle is, Beldin."

“Why did you ask then? Anyway, the one ahead looks almost as if it had been transplanted directly from Arendia.”

"Do you suppose you could clarify this for us, Cyradis?" Belgarath asked the Seeress.

"It is really no mystery, Ancient Belgarath," she replied. "Some two thousand years ago, a group of adventurers from the west were shipwrecked on the coast of this island. Seeing that there was no way to make their ship whole again, they settled here and took wives from among the local populace. They have retained the customs and manners and even the speech of their homeland."

"Lots of thees and thous?" Silk asked her.

She nodded.

"And castles? "

She nodded again.

"And the men all wear armor? The same as Garion and Zakath are wearing? "

"It is even as thou hast said, Prince Kheldar."

He groaned.

"What's the problem, Kheldar?" Zakath asked him.

“We've traveled thousands of leagues only to find Mimbrates again."

“The reports I received from the battlefield at Thull Mardu all said that they're very brave. That might explain the reputation of this island."