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* This was heavily revised, eliminating the meeting between Belgarath
and Urvon and the confrontation between Polgara and Zandramas. The
conference did not happen, and Cyradis visited the town of Rheon after
Garion had put down the Bear-cult uprising at the end of Guardians of the
West.
concrete results. Belgarion, however, seems not
particularly disappointed. The fact that we did talk to each other
seems to be enough to satisfy him. Many of the world's
rulers were, of course, unable to attend. Urgit was not
present, nor was 'Zakath. Surprisingly, however, both
sent envoys. The King of Darshiva is in his eighties, and
his envoy expressed the old man's regret at being unable
to attend. The King of Jenno, one of the seven kingdoms
of Karanda, is under house arrest for some misfeasa'nce of
office. (How can you arrest a king?!!) A number of the
visitors at the court of Fulrach, who acted as official host,
had no royal title but were of sufficient stature that no
one questioned their right to be present. Belgarath
attended, as did Polgara, Durnik and the foundling,
Errand. From Mal Yaska, the holy city of the Mallorean
Grolims, came Urvon, the third disciple of Torak. The
meeting between Urvon and Belgarath was chilling. I
don't believe they've ever met, but they have known of
each other for eons. I'm certain that Urvon had no love
for Ctuchik and Zedar, his fellow disciples, but the fact
that Belgarath destroyed them both in little more than a
single year must give Torak's sole remaining disciple
certain qualms. Moreover, I'm certain that Urvon came
into the presence of Belgarion with some highly charged
emotions. Belgarion did, after all, kill Urvon's God.
Accompanying Urvon was a strange veiled and hooded
woman. I do not know in what capacity she was present.
I rather strongly doubt that she was Urvon's mistress. She
seems to have been along as an advisor of some sort.
None of us ever spoke to her or saw her face. The single
look which passed between her and Polgara, however,
froze my blood.
Another peculiar visitor - also a woman - came with her
eyes bound and escorted and guided by a towering and
awesomely muscled mute. When we politely questioned
her presence, she declared in a firm, clear voice,'I am here as
a representative of my people, and I am here to observe.'
When we pressed her concerning exactly who her people
were, she replied in that infuriating way some women have,
'I'm sorry but I'm afraid you wouldn't understand.' I
witnessed also a peculiar little ceremony involving the '
women. Urvon's companion, her face still heavily veiled,
approached the blind-folded woman and acknowledged
her with the briefest of nods. Then Polgara also approached,
and she too nodded. Astonishingly, the totally blind-folded
woman ' I know she could not see - responded to each nod.
There was no trace of cordiality in those greetings, however.
They were not unlike the curt nods exchanged by men about
to engage in a duel. I'm not certain what's going on, but I'm
most definitely certain that I don't want to be in the way
when whatever it is happens.