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confounded, and Ran Borune is almost beside himself with
glee. For once, I wholeheartedly share in the Emperor's
delight. I think I could almost grow to like that sly little
old fox.
Word has reached us that the strange fellow, Relg, and
the Marag woman Belgarath found in the caves beneath
Rak Cthol have produced their first child, a son. The boy,
we are told, has blue eyes - a fact which for some reason
has sent the Ulgos into a frenzy of celebration. My cousin
Barak tells me that this has something to do with their
religion. I didn't pursue the matter further, since
questions of religion have always made my head ache. Barak,
incidentally, has shown no further indications that he
plans to turn into a bear on a regular basis. I'm profoundly
grateful for his restraint in this regard. The difference
between Barak and a bear is not really that extensive, but
it's a bit embarrassing to admit close kinship to something
that really belongs out in the forest.
5377
ISLENA and I spent Erastide with Rhodar and
,Porenn at Boktor and have only just returned to Val
Alorn. Rhodar seems even more mellowed, and he dotes
on his new son, of course. He tells me that his vagrant
nephew, kheldar, has joined forces with one Yarblek, a
Nadrak who appears to be almost as big a thief as himself.
In a brilliant stroke the pair of them have managed to
capture the Nadrak fur market.
Also while we were at Boktor, Cho-Hag sent us the
news that Hettar and Belgarion's cousin, Adara, had
produced him a grandson. Everyone seems to be having
children lately. One hopes that Belgarion and his little
queen will get into the spirit of things. I know that we'll all
rest more securely once the line of Riva is perpetuated.
In the kingdoms of the south events, as always, turn
on politics. My cousin Grinne our ambassador at Tol
Honeth, advises me that General Varana, acting as Ran
Borune's special envoy, has concluded a very
advantageous trade agreement with Sadi, Chief Eunuch at Queen
Salmissra's court in Sthiss Tor. I'm sure the Empire will
grow richer, but I don't envy them the pleasure of dealing
with the snake people.
Young King Korodullin, with surprising astuteness,
has appointed Count Reldegen Governor General of
Asturia. I've met Reldegen, and he seems to have normal
good sense - which in Arendia makes him an absolute
genius. One can hope that the appointment will ease the
tensions between Mimbre and Asturia - at least to the
point where there is no longer open war on the Arendish
plain.
This summer, our young Belgarion and his queen are
making the grand tour, visiting all the capitals of the west.
The move is politically sound, I think. Belgarion has made
no effort to emphasize his title, Overlord of the West, and
it's probably time to remind a few people that he's still
there. The advantage of having done nothing, however,
is that he's made no mistakes and hence no enemies.
Moreover, a great deal of good will for him still exists.