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the dim shades of long-forgotten Gods. I will go forth and destroy
this loud-voiced Rivan fool, and mine enemies shall fall away before
my wrath, and Cthrag-Yaska shall be mine again and the world
also.'
And then strode the Accursed One forth from the Host. Black was
his armor, and vast his shield. The dread black sword, Cthrek-Goru,
swept like night through the no ontide air, and Torak spake, saying,
'Who is this who will pit mortal flesh against the will and the
invincible sword of the God Torak?'
Then stood forth Brand, Warder of Riva, and his grey cloak shed
he away Mailed he was and helmed in grey steel, and he bare a
mighty sword and a shield muffled in rude cloth. And at his side
marched a grizzled wolf, and hovered over his head a snowy owl.
And Brand spake, saying, 'I am Brand, Warder of Riva. I am he who
will contend with thee, Torak. Beware of me, for the spirits of Belar
and of Aldur are with me. I alone stand between thee and the Orb
for which thou hast brought war into the West.'
And Torak beheld the wolf and spake, saying, 'Begone, Belgarath.
Flee if thou wouldst save thy life. It occurs that I may soon have the
leisure to give thee the instruction I so long ago promised thee, and I
doubt that even thou wouldst survive my instruction.'
But the grizzled wolf bared his fangs against him and fled not.
And Torak beheld the owl, and he spake unto her, saying, 'Abjure
thy father, Polgara, and come with me. I will wed thee and make
thee Queen of all the world, and thy might and thy power shall be
second only to mine.'
* Another aside which proved very important.
But the great white owl shrieked her defiance and her scorn.
'Prepare then to perish all,' quoth Torak, and rais'd up
CthrekCoru and smote down upon the shield of Brand, Warder of Riva.
Many and grievous were the blows they struck, and the Host of the
Angaraks and the soldiers of the West stood in amaze as they beheld
blows which no mortal might withstand, for the sword of Torak,
dread Cthrek-Goru, clave rocks, and the great grey sword of Brand
shattered earth. And knew then the multitudes that they beheld not
the combat of men but the contention of Gods, and then were they
sore afraid.
But the fury of Torak might not be withstood by flesh, and dread
Cthrek-Goru did cleave and batter the shield of Brand, and the
Warder fell back before the onslaught of the Accursed One. Then
howled the grizzled wolf and then shrieked the snowy owl as in one
voice that struck the ears of the watchers as it were a human voice,
and the strength of Brand was renewed.
AND BEHOLD:
The Rivan Warder did unveil his shield, and lo, cast in the center
thereof stood a round jewel. Grey it was and like unto the size of the
heart of a child. And in the presence of Torak did the stone begin to
glow. And brighter and brighter flamed the stone, and the Accursed
One fell back before the stone, as one who faces unbearable fire. And
shook away Torak his shield, and dropped he away his sword,
Cthrek-Goru, and cried out and raised he his hands before his face to
ward away the fire of the stone. And his right hand covered his right
eye, but lo, the maimed God had no left hand, and the stump thereof
was blackened by a fire no mortal had yet endured. And Brand then
struck. Two-handed held he his nameless grey sword as a man