Time Line. (Spoilers!) *mostly for reference*

[Gwyndara]

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[Gwyndara]

The Second Age
1
The other races converge on the mountains of Korim, and Torak's main temple on the highest peak. They have slaughtered the Angaraks nearly to the point of extinction, their objective being to push Torak to the point where He will attempt to use the Orb in a way that it will not tolerate. And faced with the extinction of His people, Torak does exactly that: He raises the Orb and cracks the world, splitting the protocontinent in two and creating the Sea of the East. In retaliation, the Orb burns off His left hand, boils His left eye and melts the left side of His face. The Alorns are pledged to make war against the Angaraks until Torak returns the Orb. Finally, Belar and Aldur take steps to prevent the sea from swallowing all the remaining dry land. (BtS 72-75)

2
Aldur explains what's really happening to His disciples. (BtS 80-82)

21
Beldin and Belzedar go to Mallorea to check on the Angaraks; Belgarath is sent to Arendia and Tolnedra. Belgarath discovers that the monsters (specifically, the Hrulgin, Algroths, and the dragon) have thrown off UL's restrictions regarding humans. On arriving amongst the Arends, Belgarath arranges certain marriages. He also arranges for the beginnings of the Honethite line in Tolnedra. (BtS 83-8 cool

100
Torak takes the most rabid of His followers from amongst the Angaraks to northwestern Mallorea, where they build the City of Endless Night (Cthol Mishrak). (BtS 94)

120
Belgarath and Beldin return to the Vale. Beldin has discovered that Angarak society has begun to fracture. Currently, one faction follows the generals, with a settlement at Mal Zeth; a second faction follows Urvon's Grolims and has a setlement at Mal Yaska; and a third is with Torak at Cthol Mishrak. Torak has also decided that having disciples would be to His advantage. He has three: Ctuchik, Urvon, and a mysterious third. (BtS 91-95)

128
The Melcene Empire expands from Melcena to the mainland kingdoms of Rengel, Celanta, Peldane, and Darshiva. They have some trouble with Gandahar (elephant cavalry, you know). (BtS 102)

138
Belsambar wills himself out of existence. All of Aldur's disciples (including Belmakor and Belzedar, who were in Mallorea at the time) return to the Vale. Belmakor talks about the expansion of the Melcenes, as well as why they're not expanding into Dalasia. Afterward, Beldin and Belzedar return to Mallorea, Belmakor goes to Maragor (presumably, he's entertaining the Marag women...), and Belgarath spends several centuries arranging marriages and occasional murders. (BtS 100-104)

1000
Belgarath turns 3000. (BtS 104)
unknown
Belgarath changes form in front of the wolf; from that, the wolf figures out how to change her own form--into an owl, at first. (BtS 106)
Tol Nedrane burns to the ground. A Honethite organizes work gangs to rebuild the city with stone, rather than wood--ten men to one gang, ten gangs to move larger blocks, and one hundred gangs to move the foundation blocks. When bandits attempt to raid Tol Nedrane, the Honethite foreman changes his workmen into soldiers--and a gang becomes a squad, ten squads become a company, and ten companies become a legion. After he expands control of the surrounding territory to about a 20-league radius, the Honethite renames his city Tol Honeth, and dubs himself Ran Honeth I, Emperor of all Tolnedra. (BtS 108-9)
The Arendish civil wars break out. We first meet the Baron of Vo Mandor (Mandorin, in this case). (BtS 109)

1500
Beldin returns from Mallorea, and Belmakor from Maragor. Belzedar is nowhere to be found. Beldin's been keeping an eye on the Angaraks again. The Grolims and generals have worked out a joint ruling agreement (it was either that or move to Cthol Mishrak, by Torak's edict). Ctuchik is in charge at Cthol Mishrak, and Urvon at Mal Yaska. Beldin suspects that the mysterious third disciple is undercover at Mal Zeth. The Angaraks have also invaded and subjugated Karanda, and begun the conversion of the Karands to the worship of Torak. They attempted to invade the Melcene Empire, but were stopped at the border by elephant cavalry. So they turned their attention to Dalasia instead, where they encountered what appeared to be a simple people living in mud huts, who converted by the thousands. Beldin has also had the first contact with the Chandim (the Hounds of Torak), and has made some threats to Urvon involving white-hot hooks and entrails. The she-wolf leaves Belgarath. (BtS 110-115)

1512
Belgarath is sent to look in on the Morindim--and especially to check up on their demon-summoning practices. He learns the "proper" spells and sigils for summoning demons (which are mostly unnecessary) from two different "masters". The first of his teachers is killed by a Demon Lord (possibly Mordja) before he can even teach anything. (BtS 115-117)

1518
Belgarath, having summoned imps, fiends, and afreets, finally summons a full-fledged (if somewhat small) demon. He decides he's learned enough and heads home. On the way back, he encounters a small cottage on the northern edge of the Vale, owned by an oddly familiar woman named Poledra. (BtS 118-120)

1519
Belgarath and Poledra are married in the spring. (BtS 120)

1521
Belgarath, Beltira, and Belkira head north to Aloria to deal with the Alorn clan wars. They are joined by the she-wolf. Turns out that the clan wars have been caused by religion--the Bear-cult, to be specific. The war ends when the founder of the Bear-cult is split from head to navel by King Uvar Bent-beak. (BtS 121-125)

unknown
Belmakor wills himself out of existence. When the others gather at the Vale, Beldin tells them that the Marags have begun practicing ritual cannibalism. (BtS 125-127)
Belgarath gets an urgent summons from Beldin--the Marags have invaded Nyissa in retaliation for slave raids. Beldin gets Salmissra to let the Marags retreat by threatening to burn the Nyissan jungles to the ground. (BtS 127-130)

1955
Cherek is born. (BtS 130)

1974
Cherek Bear-shoulders ascends the throne of Aloria. (BtS 131)

1978
Dras is born. (BtS 131)

1980
Algar is born. (BtS 131)

1982
Riva is born. (BtS 131)

2000
On Riva's naming-day (eighteenth birthday), he becomes Riva Iron-Grip. Poledra announces to Belgarath that she's pregnant. (BtS 131)
Polgara and Beldaran "wake up" at their mother's urging. Poledra and Aldur take action to educate the twins, and to change them, according to the dictates of Necessity. (PtS 17-1 cool
Cherek and his sons make a trip to the Vale late in the year to tell Belgarath about the land bridge to Mallorea that they've discovered. Belgarath protests vigorously when they ask him to go along (Poledra is very pregnant, after all), but is told in no uncertain terms by the Purpose that he will be going with them. Belgarath, in turn, tells Beldin that he will return to the Vale to stay with Poledra. They leave the next morning. (BtS 134-140)
The Morindim begin to converge on Belgarath and company. All the Morindim--which means that somebody has been tampering with them. Eventually, he's forced to confront them. The Morind magicians raise their demons. Belgarath raises the sun. It's illusory, but they don't know that, and the concentration of most of the magicians is broken--with the usual side-effects. Belgarath then raises a Demon Lord to deal with the demons whose magicians didn't lose control. In the aftermath, he discovers that Belzedar has been following him... and that Zedar is also Torak's third disciple. Belgarath manages to neutralize Zedar by a very simple expedient: he beats the man senseless. Belgarath continues with Cherek and his sons toward Mallorea. (BtS 144-161)
Belgarath and company raid Torak's iron tower. Torak's asleep. Riva takes up the Orb. (BtS 177)
Polgara and Beldaran are born. Poledra "dies." Aldur summons Beldin to take care of the twins. (BtS 359, PtS 19)
Torak wakes up at dawn. And he's really pissed off. When he attempts to pursue Belgarath and company, however, the Orb blinds or annihilates numerous Chandim and Murgos, and even chases off Torak himself. Their final encounter is with Ctuchik's shadow. He's one of the Chandim, as it happens. The successful recovery of the Orb ends the Second Age. (BtS 181-187, 292; SK xiii)  

[Gwyndara]

The Third Age

The Age of Prophecy

2000 (cont.)
Belgarath, at Aldur's instructions, divides Aloria into the kingdoms of Cherek, Drasnia, Algaria, and Riva. He accompanies Riva to the Isle of the Winds. (BtS 192-199)

2001
Belar tells Riva about the sword he's supposed to have (Belar has to shout to break through Riva's dream about a certain blond-haired girl). Belgarath assists Riva in forging the Sword (and no, he does not take the form of a fox!). They also release the river that currently flows past the city of Riva. (BtS 200-206)

2001
Belgarath cuts across Ulgoland en route to the Vale. He encounters an Eldrak, Grul by name, but merely disembowels Grul instead of killing him. (BtS 208-210)

2001
Belgarath arrives at his tower in the Vale. It's empty; the only explanation is a note from Beldin saying, "Come to my tower." Beldin, Beltira, and Belkira introduce him to his daughters, Polgara and Beldaran. (After Belgarath touches her, a single lock of Polgara's hair turns white.) After a bit of evasiveness, Beldin tells Belgarath about Poledra's death. (BtS 211-213, PtS 20-21)

2001-2002
Belgarath is not in his right mind. His brothers smother every attempt he makes to gather his will during this period; they are determined that he won't go the way of Belmakor and Belsambar. (BtS 217-218, PtS 21)

2002-2004
Belgarath leaves the Vale. He ultimately winds up in Camaar, where he tries to drown his grief. Aldur strongly disapproves, and arranges to have Belgarath brought to his senses (by losing his cookies). (BtS 220-221, PtS 21-22)

2003
Torak moves into his house at Ashaba, and begins composing the Ashabine Oracles. (BtS 250)

2004
Belgarath leaves Camaar and journeys south. Visits to Vo Wacune and Vo Astur get him information on what's currently going on in the world. After leaving Vo Astur, he stops an unscrupulous baron from murdering his opponent's serfs, and continues on to Tolnedra when descriptions of a "foul sorcerer" begin to appear. At Tol Honeth, he discovers that the Second Honethite Dynasty probably won't be on the Imperial Throne for much longer--Ran Honeth the 20-somethingth is an absolute idiot. He continues south, passing through the Wood of the Dryads during mating season, and heads to Sthiss Tor after he escapes, where he talks with one of the more intelligent Salmissras. Her eunuchs are plotting to kill her, and she knows it; Belgarath suggests that she beat them to it. She informs Belgarath of Torak's whereabouts. Sometime in the autumn, Belgarath drifts into Maragor. The Marag women find him quite attractive... (BtS 223-246)

2006
Polgara discovers the Tree. It indirectly awakens the beginnings of her powers; she can now hear the birds "speaking" to her. She begins to spend long stretches of time at the Tree, talking to the birds. (PtS 25-31)

2012
Polgara makes her first overt act of sorcery--by creating about half a ton of seeds for the birds at the Tree. Beldin, Belkira and Beltira show up almost immediately, and give her some stern warnings regarding what she should not do, and why, until she's had some training. They begin her education (or so they think--Poledra actually handles it, and tells Polgara to smile and play along). To keep boredom from driving her insane, she has Belkira and Beltira teach her to cook (something at which she soon far outstrips her tutors). (PtS 31-37)

2013
Beldin goes to Mar Amon, and gives Belgarath an ultimatum: come home to the Vale now, or I'll continue beating sense into you (with my fists). He informs Belgarath that Salmissra succeeded in assassinating her eunuchs before they could get to her. Torak has been in a state of prophetic ecstasy for about ten years; there's also a mad prophet at Boktor in Drasnia. Belgarath returns to the vale with Beldin. Beldaran is happy to see her father. Polgara is not. And since she's picked up most of Beldin's comprehensive vocabulary of curses, she uses them in some fairly elaborate insults. Beldaran and Polgara move in with their father. (BtS 246-254, PtS 37-40)
"I'm entitled to be childish. I'm only thirteen. We'll have a lot more fun when I grow up." --Polgara, on her childish behavior (BtS 254)

2013
Belgarath makes the amulets for himself (with the figure of a wolf), Polgara (an owl), and Beldaran (the tree in the Vale, with a crown in its branches). (BtS 256-257, PtS 41-43)
"I hate you," Father said.
"No you don't, Belgarath," Beldin said, his grin growing even broader. "You're just saying that to make me feel better." (PtS 44)

2016
Aldur tells Belgarath to send one of his daughters to be Riva's wife. Thanks to Riva's descriptions of the girl he'd been dreaming about, Belgarath knows that the proper choice is Beldaran. (BtS 259, PtS 45-46)
Belgarath, Beldaran, and Polgara leave for the Isle of the Winds in early spring, accompanied by Riva's cousin Anrak and by Beldin. Riva meets them in Camaar, and he and Beldaran immediately fall deeply in love (it's one of those Necessary things, you know). Polgara finally cleans herself up. They depart for the Isle of the Winds. (BtS 261-268, PtS 47-53)
Belgarath spends most of his time on the Isle trying to intimidate the young men who spend most of their time staring at Polgara. Polgara, however, knows exactly what she's doing and has no intention of indulging any of her would-be suitors. She befriends an "incipient baron" named Kamion. She also meets a Rivan dressmaker named Arell, who makes both Beldaran's and Polgara's dresses for the wedding. Beldaran and Riva are married not long after; Poledra's ghost is present. Polgara accepts a task from the Purpose--to be the protector of Riva's descendants. (BtS 268-273, PtS 53-75)
The first session of what would later become the Alorn Council is held during the days after Beldaran and Riva's wedding. (PtS 81-82)

2017
Polgara begins her education. Belgarath handles most of the book-learning, including teaching Pol how to read, while Poledra teaches her some rather obscure techniques in sorcery, including how to recognize what race someone really is, how to put someone's mind to sleep, and other ways to tamper with the human mind. (PtS 84-93)

2018
Algar and his cousin Anrak arrive in the Vale bearing the news that Beldaran is pregnant. (Polgara already knew--Poledra kept her informed.) Algar, Anrak, Belgarath, and Polgara head for the Isle of the Winds. Along the way, Algar talks about his idea to drive his cattle through a pass into Sendaria (which doesn't exist as a nation yet) and down to Muros. (BtS 286-289, PtS 93)
At Riva, Belgarath learns that there's another madman who's emerged in Darine. Algar's having what he says written down. Torak is still at Ashaba. (BtS 290-291)
Inspired by her sister's pregnancy, Polgara begins her medical education. She begins by learning midwifery from Arell (the person who made her dress for Beldaran's wedding). Arell introduces her to Argak, an herbalist, from whom she learns pharmacology; the blacksmith Salheim, who fixes all sorts of things--chairs, farm implements, human limbs, and so on; and Balten the barber, who moonlighted as both a surgeon and a graverobber (he had to dig up bodies to study anatomy). The four teach her a very practical, no-nonsense approach to medicine. Her spare time is spent with her sister, and persuading her would-be suitors from Beldaran's wedding that she doesn't want to play anymore. (The exception is Kamion, who is now betrothed, and thus no longer a suitor. The two of them do become lifelong friends, however.) (PtS 95-100)
Daran, Crown Prince of Riva, is born. Belgarath takes Riva and Polgara to introduce him to the Orb. The "sound" brings Torak howling to his feet (and he's at Ashaba in Mallorea!) (BtS 293-296, PtS 100)
Belgarath and Polgara journey to Darine to investigate the Darine Prophet. In the process, Polgara makes her first alternate form (an owl, of course). They find that there's been some problem with recording the Darine Codex, as the local Algar clan-chief is a bear-cultist. Fortunately, the Darine Prophet's daughter Luana knows how to get him to repeat what he's said before. Luana is cross-eyed; Polgara cures that in exchange for her making sure that the entire prophecy gets written down. (BtS 299-307, PtS 101-105)
Belgarath and Polgara continue north to Boktor to investigate the Mrin Prophet. Polgara learns the Drasnian secret language. While they're there, the Mrin Prophet describes some of the companions of the Child of Light--the Bear, the Guide, the Man with Two Lives, the Ancient and Beloved, the Horse-lord, the Blind Man, the Queen of the World, the Knight Protector, the Archer, the Huntress, the Mother of the Race That Died and the Woman Who Watches. Belgarath then tells Dras to set scribes to recording anything said by someone who mentions the Child of Light--or the Child of Dark, for that matter. They then return to the Vale. (BtS 308-315, PtS 107-110)
Beldin's in the Vale when they return. Zedar's at Ashaba with Torak, making a copy of the Ashabine Oracles, which is likely to be the only complete copy; Urvon is still afraid to emerge from Mal Yaska (courtesy of Beldin). The Dallish prophecies are being written down in the Mallorean Gospels. Ctuchik has taken up residence at Rak Cthol in Cthol Murgos, and some of his Grolims have had prophetic ecstasies as well. (BtS 317-319, PtS 111-112)
Belgarath pays a visit to Rak Cthol. He and Ctuchik have an absolutely splendid little chat. (BtS 323-327, PtS 112)

2025
Bornik, the Darine Prophet, dies; Algar brings a copy of the completed Darine Codex to the Vale, along with the current version of the Mrin Codex. Belgarath and Polgara go to Riva for the meeting of the Alorn Council. (BtS 331-332, PtS 115-117)

2035
The Mrin Prophet dies; Dras has the completed Mrin Codex delivered to the Vale. (BtS 334)
Belgarath heads to Tolnedra, stopping at Prolgu to speak with the Gorim along the way. He stops in Tol Borune, and arranges the wedding of the Dryad Princess Xoria to the grand duke's son. She agrees when Belgarath bribes her with a piece of chocolate. (Chocolate apparently does some strange things to Dryad physiology--Xoria's reaction is almost orgasmic.) The groom doesn't mind; his father likes the idea that the marriage will eventually lead to the First Borune Dynasty. The groom's mother, however, is a Honethite, and doesn't like the fact that the marriage's more immediate effect would be to establish the inviolability of the Wood of the Dryads. Belgarath ultimately has to get the High Priest of Nedra to perform the ceremony. (BtS 334-340, PtS 123)

2038
Polgara heads out for the Isle of the Winds at top speed when Poledra awakens her with news that her sister is dying. (She has the twins contact Belgarath.) She arrives at Riva five days later, only to find that no physician has seen her sister, at the recommendation of Elthek, the Rivan Deacon (and a Bear-cultist). Polgara heads down to the city to get some aid from Arell, Argak and Balten. (Kamion, now known as Brand, has to get Balten out of the dungeons beneath the Temple of Belar--it seems that Balten was caught in flagrante delicto while graverobbing.) Arell, Argak, Balten and Polgara reach the joint conclusion that saving the queen will require "heroic measures." Polgara contacts the twins again, asking them to urge Belgarath to get to Riva--preferably sometime yesterday. Polgara uses her will to sustain Beldaran for three days. Despite her best efforts, however, Beldaran dies. (PtS 123-132)
Belkira and Beltira manage to get word to Belgarath that Beldaran is very ill. Belgarath heads for Riva as fast as he possibly can, but he arrives too late. Riva is nearly as bad as Belgarath was after Poledra's death, and never really recovers from the shock. (BtS 341-343)
Iron-grip's son Daran assumes the throne as Regent, until his father recovers. He is very angry with Elthek, whom he holds responsible for his mother's death--a view with which Polgara agrees. Daran's regency neatly thwarts Elthek's ambitions to gain the throne by assimilation. He deals with an impending civil war between two neighboring barons quite firmly. (PtS 135-146)

2039
Anrak arrives at Riva, bringing warnings from Bear-shoulders about the Bear-cult. Algar stomped on the cult quite firmly, but the cultists fled through the fens into Drasnia, creating quite a few problems in Drasnia and Cherek. Daran raises the possibility of stripping several of the islets at the north end of the Isle of the Winds of trees (so that the trees can't be used to build boats) and exiling the cultists on the Isle there--where they can either take up farming, or starve. Elthek and his cultists are ironically convicted of an act they convinced Riva to make a crime--witchcraft. As planned, they're sentenced to internal exile on the islets, instead of being burned at the stake. It makes such a pointedly object lesson that the Bear-cult never returns to the Isle of the Winds--and treason is remarkably rare, too. (PtS 147-15 cool

2040
Kamion lays out the curriculum for a seminary on the Isle, thus laying the foundation for a priesthood actually more concerned about the spiritual well-being of their parishoners than temporal authority. Rivan youngsters, it seems, are finding alternatives to marriage... speaking of which, Daran isn't married yet, either. Which is, of course, a problem, since there has to be an heir to the throne. Polgara and Kamion use the simple expedient of having all the eligible young women on the Isle paraded before Daran. This goes on for days, with Daran threatening to run away, until Larana, the daughter of a minor nobleman, enters the hall. Since the Purpose is involved in the selection, both Daran and Larana know. The two are married shortly thereafter. (PtS 158-164)

2044
Cherek Bear-shoulders dies. (BtS 344, PtS 164-165)

2045
Daran names his son Cherek, in honor of his grandfather. Riva Iron-grip dies. (BtS 344, PtS 165)

2046
Polgara returns to the Vale, and brings numerous medical books with her. Fortunately for her sanity, she doesn't find a cure for the disease that killed Beldaran. (BtS 344, PtS 165)

2100
Beldin returns from Mallorea at the end of the 21st century. The Tolnedrans are attempting to trade with the Marags for the gold (and are being ignored), and Torak and Zedar are still at Ashaba. They celebrate Polgara's 100th birthday. (BtS 344, PtS 175-176)

2115
Ran Vordue IV of Tolnedra declares war on the Marags. His legions very nearly annihilate the Marags; only a few prisoners who are sold into slavery keep the race alive. Neither Mara, Belar, nor Nedra are very happy about it. Mara binds the spirits of the Marags to their land, beginning the haunting of Maragor. Nedra has a pointed discussion with Ran Vordue. Belar has the Chereks make raids along the Tolnedran coast (especially in Vordue). Aldur instructs Belgarath--who was going to intervene--not to interfere, since the destruction of Maragor is Necessary. (BtS 344-346, PtS 176-177)

2312
Polgara goes to Arendia to put a stop to Ctuchik's plotting there. She decides (with some urging from her mother) to start with Kathandrion, the Duke of Vo Wacune, as he was the most intelligent of the three. Ctuchik, it seems, is intending to draw all three Arendish duchies into war with Tolnedra. As Tolnedra would likely win (because of the tenuousness of any alliance between the Arendish dukes), that would draw the Alorns in, to protect their interests. General warfare in the West, in other words, is the Grolim's goal. As part of that plot, Ctuchik has agents in all three duchies; the one in Wacune is named "Haldon." Haldon is, of course, a Murgo--a Dagashi, to be more specific. His true name is Krachack. Pol and Kathandrion question him until dawn; he's then taken to the lowest level of the dungeon. Pol sets out for Vo Astur the same day. (BtS 348-355, PtS 178-192)
Inconsistency note: Polgara remembered the year quite clearly as 2312. Belgarath was more vague ("I think it was the early twenty-fifth century..."). I assume that Pol would remember better. smile
On arriving in Vo Astur, Polgara learns that the current duke, Oldoran, is a "drunken little weasel." (And that was one of the milder insults.) He also has a Tolnedran advisor. (Sorry, did I say Tolnedran? I meant Murgo.) Pol's original plan had been to expose the "Tolnedran" Murgo to the duke, and let him handle the matter, but given Oldoran's tendency toward being continually drunk, that's not going to work. So, she masterminds a coup d'etat. She chooses Asrana, an Asturian noblewoman with a quick wit and quicker tongue, and together they choose Earl Mangaran, who already functions as the ruler of Asturia anyway, as their candidate for the throne. Both Asrana and Mangaran are enthusiastic traitors.) (PtS 192-200)
The plot unfolds further. Asrana begins securing the assistance of critical members of the duke's court; Mangaran organizes a party at Baron Torandin's place (on the far side of Vo Astur from the palace) to distract the duke's supporters, subverts a few of the more stable, older members of the court, and procures a... messenger. (The kind who uses rather pointed means of communication, if you get my meaning.) When she enters the throne room that evening, the messenger communicates her displeasure to the Murgo. The sudden death sends Oldorin screaming over the edge of insanity. Well, that and the illusion Polgara crafted for him. The conspirators shuttle the duke off to a nearby monastery, and that's how you overthrow a government. Having disrupted Ctuchik's plans in Asturia, Pol heads for Vo Mimbre. (PtS 201-214)
Pol stops in Vo Mandor on her way south to talk to the Baron, Mandorin. Mandorin is well aware of what's going on at court, and recognizes the plot that Polgara describes to him. He nearly fell for it himself, in fact. (Pol asks him a simple question regarding the "Tolnedran" in Vo Mimbre: "What's in it for him?", pointing out that as a general rule, a Tolnedran will not do anything unless there's something in it for him.) Mandorin discloses that there are Tolnedran legions gathering on the south bank of the River Arend, and a Tolnedran general has arrived at Vo Mimbre to aid in planning. Pol has Mandorin adopt her as a niece to give her a cover. (PtS 216-222)
On arriving in Vo Mimbre, Pol is distressed to learn that among the genuine Tolnedrans who have been purchased as a part of this plot, there are several Murgos--and one Grolim, posing as a servant to one of the Murgos involved in the plot. Polgara dragoons her father into making a journey to Tol Honeth to tell Ran Vordue what's going on in Arendia, so that the Emperor can come and explain (in short words and small sentences) to Corrolin that he is not going to help. On his return, Belgarath suggests a religious pilgrimage might be just the thing to get Corrolin out of Vo Mimbre for the meeting. When Corrolin finds he's been duped, he responds... Arendishly, but Ran Vordue persuades the duke to give him Kadon and friends as a birthday present. The idea of calling all the Arendish dukes to the peace table at the Fair is proposed. (PtS 222-236)
The rulers of the three Arendish duchies meet at the Great Arendish Fair to sign a peace treaty. Asrana and Mandorin are married. (PtS 238-242)

2313
Polgara briefly returns to the Vale to pick up some things from Belgarath's tower, having reached the conclusion that she'll need to stay in Arendia to enforce the peace. Upon returning to Vo Wacune, she takes up residence in the ducal palace, but decides quite quickly that she'll be moving out (all those ladies who wanted love potions got annoying). (PtS 245-249)
Polgara discovers that Arendish workment need a lot of supervision. This leads to her testing the limits of her Uncle Beldin's vocabulary, and that greatly impresses a Wacite by the name of Killane. Killane offers to beat the work the delinquent builders owe Polgara out of them. Polgara eventually hires him as her estate manager, and he sees to things like furniture and servants (his relatives, mostly). Killane's family remain Polgara's servants until her manor house in Erat is abandoned. (PtS 249-254)

2314
Asrana and Mandorin's first child is born. Mangaran visits Vo Mandor, bringing word that Asturia is likely to go up in flames upon his death, or possibly sooner, owing to the actions of his own nephew and that of the deposed former Duke of Asturia. Polgara makes a few threats. The nephews' supporters find safer things to do. (PtS 254-25 cool

2324
Killane finally figures out that Polgara is that Polgara. (PtS 259-260)

2325
Mangaran dies of natural causes. At Polgara's urging, the duchies of Wacune and Mimbre sign an alliance to keep the Asturian infighting from spreading. (PtS 261-263)

2326
An assassin kills Mangaran's nephew Olburton, and Nerasin's forces regain control of his uncle's former duchy by the early autumn. Asrana uses her contacts in Asturia to muddy the waters as much as possible, explaining to Polgara that if Nerasin thinks it'll solidify his position, he'll willingly start a war that'll kill half of Asturia. Her objective is to keep the would-be duke off-balance and afraid of shadows--and to kill him once he stops being afraid. Duke Kathandrion's grandson (Kathandrion) is born. (PtS 263-265)

2327
Duke Kathandrion is killed while testing an overly-powerful catapult. Asrana and Mandorin are killed by a troop of Asturian archers while journeying to Vo Mimbre (it seems that Nerasin figured out who was behind his problems). Polgara entertains notions of "filleting" and "deboning", and one about a cheese grater, until Poledra stops her. Alleran and Corrolin aren't so constrained, and begin a war on the Asturians' food supplies. In response, and in desperation, Nerasin has Duke Alleran's son Kathandrion kidnapped. Polgara's response to that legendary in Arendish lore--it's known as "Nerasin's complaint." Nerasin more than willing to return Kathandrion after that. (PtS 265-277)

2328
The Dukes of Asturia jointly decide that, as a reward for services rendered, they're going to be joined by a duchess--Polgara, the Duchess of Erat. (Basically, she gets Sendaria, except for the cities of Darine, Muros, and Camaar.) Her first judgment on viewing her duchy: serfdom has got to go. She selects a site for her manor that's roughly 6 leagues northwest of the village of Upper Gralt, and 10 leagues northeast of the future site of Faldor's farm. In the autumn, she lets her vassals know exactly where they stand, and informs them that they'll no longer be extorting criminal amounts of food and labor out of their serfs. Or else. (PtS 278-287)

2329
Polgara emancipates the serfs on her own lands, with the explicit intent of making it financially untenable for her vassals to maintain serfdom. The priests of Chaldan are livid, and denounce her as an abolitionist, to little effect--the serfs aren't listening (or even coming to church). She spends a good deal of time that summer codifying the laws for her duchy, and contemplating universal education. She does attend the Arendish Council, to the chagrin of Corrolin, Alleran, and Nerasin. (PtS 287-290)

2330
Polgara's manor house is completed. Corrolin of Mimbre dies. (PtS 290-291)

2354
Killane dies at age 70. (PtS 295-296)

2400
Polgara begins an informal "ladies' academy" almost by accident, among the young women of Vo Wacune. (PtS 298, QoS 15)

2537
The First Borune Dynasty displaces the Second Vorduvian Dynasty from the Imperial Throne of Tolnedra. Ran Borune I takes the step of building an Imperial Highway from Tol Horb to Tol Vordue, using his legions as work crews. That rather effectively ends the Cherek raids. (BtS 357-358, PtS 299)

2560
Would-be Tolnedran war profiteers approach the current Duke of Mimbre, Salereon, and start calling him 'your Majesty', in an attempt to get the Arendish Civil Wars restarted. Salereon is just intelligent enough to consult Polgara before he declares himself King of Arendia (which would have restarted the civil wars). The Arendish Council is closed to outsiders that year. Polgara caps it off with a visit to Ran Borune I, who enthusiastically agrees with her plan to close the Arendish borders to Tolnedrans (because she gave him advance warning, so he can "skin them alive"--commercially speaking, of course). (PtS 299-303)

2710
The Arendish dukes contrive a grand tournament from amongst the four duchies of Arendia; the winner is designated Polgara's champion. Polgara goes along with it on the grounds that formalized mayhem is better than the real thing. The first winner is (wait for it) the Baron of Vo Mandor, Mandorathan. His presence really improves the manners of her vassals. (PtS 303-305)

2937
Polgara announces that Sir Anclasin, her current champion, will be retiring. The tournament eventually leaves two Wacite nobles vying for the position: Lathan and Ontrose, both of whom had been boyhood friends of Duke Andrion. Ontrose wins the final joust when Lathan loses his cool. Lathan is a poor loser at first, but eventually congratulates Ontrose on his win. Polgara finds Ontrose... rather attractive. (PtS 305-312)

2940
Belgarath drops in on Polgara, discovering that Polgara's apparently in love with Ontrose (who's only 910 or so years younger than she is). He's fairly certain that nothing is going to come of it, if only because the Mrin Codex doesn't mention anything about her and Ontrose. Polgara goes to have a talk with Duke Garteon III of Asturia, who appears to be threatening war. She doesn't find him. (BtS 358-359, PtS 312-316)

2942
The combined armies of Wacune and Erat are ready to deal with any Asturian plotting by summer. (PtS 320)

2943
Lathan returns--from Vo Astur, where he was posing as an Asturian to resolve conflicting reports from the Wacite spies. He reports that the Asturians are planning to land an army in Polgara's lands near Seline. The Asturian fleet is already moving. Polgara reasons that with a forced march, she can just get her troops in place to defend the city, with the Wacite troops arriving a day or so later (and allowing the combined forces to annihilate the Asturian forces). Polgara relishes the thought of taking the Grolim who's likely behind all of this down to Rak Cthol in pieces--and dropping him bit-by-bit on Ctuchik's head. (PtS 321-327)
Polgara finds the Asturian fleet--they're about 10 leagues north of Camaar, at anchor. Ontrose raises the spectre that Lathan may have been recognized (since he was quite prominent at the tournament), and that the Asturians managed to plant some misinformation. Polgara's suspicions are somewhat darker, however. They go to see Lathan. Lathan sets on his former friend when Ontrose figures out that Lathan has betrayed them, with his disinformation pulling the Wacite and Eratian forces so far out of position that they will not be able to defend Vo Wacune. (PtS 327-337)
Polgara ruthlessly bullies the Wacite and Eratian forces into action. Her general suggests simply abandoning Vo Wacune--the Asturians can take it, certainly, but they won't be able to hold it for long, and the aftermath is likely to leave Garteon without enough men to patrol Vo Astur. When Poledra brings word that the northern Mimbrate barons intend to attack as well, Polgara summons her father. Unfortunately, he's been reading the Mrin Codex--and already knows that the defense of Vo Wacune is hopeless; the city will fall. Ontrose, as commander of the Wacite forces, orders Polgara, as a Wacite noble, to leave (as there's no place for her in the defenses). Ontrose's last words to Polgara are a reminder that, while Wacune is lost, she has a responsibility to her duchy. (PtS 337-343)
Vo Wacune is destroyed. It is entirely possible that Polgara will never entirely forgive her father for allowing this to happen. She takes up residence at Poledra's cottage. (BtS 361-362)
As soon as Belgarath's back is turned (i.e., he rides out of sight of Poledra's cottage), Polgara heads back to her manor house to take charge. Her orders are: annex Muros, Darine, and Camaar; convince surviving Wacite units that it's their patriotic duty to spy on Asturian troop movements; and be prepared to annihilate the Asturians the minute they cross the River Camaar. She manages to convince Malon Killaneson (her seneschal) that he can use telepathy to contact her; he conveys her orders to her other subordinates, while she remains back at Poledra's cottage. (PtS 343-352)
Polgara's soldiers infiltrate Muros. Elsewhere, units that encounter Asturian forces run away. By autumn, the Asturians are drooling at the thought of taking Muros easily. Unfortunately for them, it's all a ruse: Polgara's forces are waiting for them. The Asturians are torn to shreds. When they flee back across the Camaar River, they run straight into the roving bands of Wacite patriots, eager for revenge. (PtS 352-357)

2944
Malon Killaneson disappears. Signs point to a hasty departure, but not to an abduction. Polgara finds a map of Wacune in his office, with a route of some sort inked in on it. When he returns, Malon tells the full story: he'd received word from some Wacite "patriots" that the Duke of Asturia was going to the ruins of Vo Wacune with his "Murgo" advisor to gloat. They turned the Grolim into a pincushion for arrows, and were going to bring Garteon back to face Pol. But instead they decided that since they had the rope they'd used to unhorse Garteon, and there were all those trees handy, it must be a sign from the Gods... so they hanged him on the spot. (PtS 359-362)
"I should probably tell yer Grace that he didn't take it none too well," Malon continued. "He kept screamin' that he was th' Duke o' Asturia, an' that we couldn't do this t' him--but as it turned out, we could."
-- Malon Killaneson, on the death of Garteon of Asturia

3097
The Accords of Val Alorn are reached, allowing Tolnedran merchants access to the Isle of the Winds. The Cherek king, however, fails to inform the Rivan King about the accords, so the Rivans remain in their city. Ran Borune XXIV makes the mistake of trying to force the gates. This time the Rivans do come out--in the process, eliminating five legions and burning all the Tolnedran ships in the harbor to the waterline. The Emperor threatens war, but the Cherek king sends a rather pointed letter to Ran Borune on behalf of all the Alorn kingdoms, and the Emperor backs down. (BtS 363-364, PtS 366)

3150
Polgara gives a rather pointed lesson in politeness to the King Alreg of Cherek, after one of his earls sacks Darine. Alreg is the only person she's ever actually turned into a toad. He moves to suppress the Bear-cult afterward. (PtS 367-370)

3761
Ran Borune XII of the Second Borune Dynasty avoids the assassinations, bribery, and other normal functions of the politics of dynastic succession in the Tolnedran Empire by choosing his successor. The Horbites proved to be a good decision; Ran Horb I is a good emperor, but his son is generally considered the greatest emperor in Tolnedran history. (BtS 364-365, PtS 371)

3817-3822
Ran Horb II ends open warfare in Arendia by allying himself with the Mimbrates, who sack and burn Vo Astur. The Mimbrate duke declares himself King of Arendia (although his kingdom ends where the forests of Asturia begin). (BtS 365, 420; PtS 375)

3827
Ran Horb II establishes the Kingdom of Sendaria--as long as he controls the Great West Road and the other Imperial Highways there, it's easier to let the Sendars govern themselves. So he simply sets down the rules for an election and lets 'em go at it. Ran Horb also concludes treaties that establish rights to build the Great North Road through Sendaria, Algaria, and Drasnia. (BtS 365, 386; PtS 375-376)

3829
Emperor Molvan of Melcena dies. (SD 5) inconsistency problem.

3830
Kallath, a member of the Angarak General Staff, and the husband of the Melcene Emperor's only daughter, has himself declared Emperor. (DLK 5) See inconsistency note.

3831
Kallath uses the Melcene army as a threat to get the Angarak General Staff to declare him the hereditary Commander-in-Chief of the Mallorean Angaraks. He is effectively the first Emperor of Mallorea. (DLK 5, SD 5) incosistisy problem.

3833
After six years, the Sendars finally elect their first king--a rutabaga and cabbage farmer named Fundor. (The King is rather surprised at his elevation to the throne, as he'd forgotten he was still a candidate.) (BtS 365, PoP 139, PtS 375-376)

3911
The Ranite Dynasty takes power in Tolnedra. They mostly function as caretakers. (BtS 365-366)

3944
Illessa (Salmissra) is born. (BtS 396)

4001
The Third Vorduvian Dynasty takes power in Tolnedra. Since Tol Vordue is a seaport, they let the Horbite highway network fall into disrepair. (BtS 366, 391)

4002
Belgarath manages to dredge some meaning out of the Mrin Codex. It warns him that the lives of the entire Rivan royal family are in danger. He and Polgara depart for the Isle of the Winds at top speed, but arrive about ten minutes too late; all but Gorek's youngest grandson, Geran, are killed. Belgarath and Polgara decide that the safest thing to do is to hide the Rivan line. Aside from them, the only person who is supposed to know about that fact is the Rivan Warder. Interrogation of the surviving assassin reveals that the act was carried out at Salmissra's behest, but that she was put up to it by a mysterious foreigner. (BtS 366-375, Bv1 197, PtS 377-383)
Polgara takes Geran to her estate in Sendaria. She's taken steps to ensure that it can't even be found (rose trees are quite effective in that regard), so he should be safe there. (BtS 385, PtS 383-390)
Belgarath goes to Val Alorn to tell King Valcor what's happened, and then continues to Boktor to tell Radek. He also alerts Cho-Ram of Algaria, and warns Ran Vordue I to ignore the violation of his borders. The Alorns manage to get to Nyissa during the dry season, and begin burning the jungles. (BtS 387-394)
When the Alorns converge on Sthiss Tor, Beldin and Belgarath go ahead to question Salmissra (lest the Alorns get to her first). She's already taken poison, but Illessa (her real name) reveals that Zedar had said that Torak would confer immortality on her in exchange for the death of the Rivan King and his family. (BtS 394-397)
unknown
A young Angarak named Kallath is sent to live with the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Melcena. He is frequently at the Imperial Court, and eventually marries the daughter of the Melcene Emperor. He manages to have himself declared Emperor of Melcena, and uses the Melcene army and his own forces in Rakuth to force the unification of Mallorea. The assassination of Gorek served to keep the Alorns busy while this happened. (BtS 407-408, PtS 390-391)
Inconsistency note: At this point, you're no doubt thinking, "Didn't I just read about Kallath in 3830?" Yes, you did. I'm leaving the 3829-3831 references in place, but I think it makes more sense to have it in or after 4002, for reasons described above. It's also corroborated by PtS (pg. 391).

unknown
A Dal goes to Ashaba; the moment he sees Torak, the Third Age ends. (BtS 407, SK xiii, PtS 390)  

[Gwyndara]

The Fourth Age

4012
Polgara and Geran (now about 16) leave Pol's manor house and head to Sendar (to get some of Polgara's rent money), then Muros. In Muros, Pol assumes the pseudonym of Baroness Pelera. She swindles a Drasnian out of his house, then gets the man to introduce her to Hattan, an Algar cattle-buyer who just happens to have a daughter, Eldara, who's about (wait for it!) 16. The reaction Geran and Eldara to each other is about the same as Beldaran and Riva's reaction--love at first sight, and then some. Hattan also recognizes Polgara for who she is, and becomes Pol's first co-conspirator in hiding and protecting the Rivan line. Geran and Eldara are married about a month after they meet. (PtS 397-405)

4013
Davon (Geran and Eldara's son) is born. Polgara and Geran tell Eldara who he really is, and why they have to hide. Geran is introduced to Hattan's business, and proves to be quite good at it. (PtS 406-40 cool

4039
Davon marries Alnana. (PtS 411-412)

4041
Davon and Alnana's son Alten is born. Hattan is gored by a bull and dies. (PtS 412)

4051
Geran's sense of civic responsibility gets the better of him when the Earl of Muros asks him to stand for election to the city council. A Murgo also discovers the extended family's location. Both Pol and Geran are in firm agreement that it's time to leave. They retreat to Pol's manor house, and stay there long enough for Geran and Eldara to die. (PtS 413-419)

4066
Prince Geran of Riva dies. (PtS 419)

4068
Eldara dies. (PtS 419)

4068
Polgara, Davon, Alnana, and Alten go to Darine. Davon has a much better grasp of what they're trying to do than his father did, and so he sets out to start a completely different business than the one he had in Muros. Davon becomes a fur buyer. Alten becomes a furrier. Which brings him into contact with a young woman named Ellette. (PtS 421-424)

4071
Alten and Ellette's son Geran is born. (PtS 424)

4077
Alnana dies. (PtS 425)

4080
Pestilence breaks out in Darine, claiming the lives of Davon, Alten, and Ellette. Polgara flees back to her manor house with Geran, who ultimately becomes a mediocre physician, setting a pattern for centuries of Iron-grip's descendants--obscurity. (PtS 425)

4400
The Melcene bureaucracy is now the Mallorean one, and is responsible for the administration of the entire Mallorean "empire." (SD 6)

4414
Darion (the current Heir) marries Selana, a Sendar. (PtS 427)

4415
Ctuchik's Murgos get dangerously close to Polgara, Darion, and Selana. Fortunately, Belgarath happens to be in the area, overhears the right conversation, and moves the three from Sulturn to Kotu. (BtS 413-417, PtS 427-430)

4416
Selana gives birth to a son. In a break from tradition, Darion chooses a Drasnian name for him, Khelan, rather than a Rivan or Sendarian one. (PtS 430)

4416
Belgarath visits Prolgu, and has a discussion with the new (current?) Gorim. The unification of Mallorea is nearly complete, and Ctuchik has left Rak Cthol. He then heads through Arendia, paying a call on the Wildantor family, and then the Fair. He encounters a Drasnian intelligence agent named Khaldan (an ancestor...), who tells him that the Mandor family is currently involved in a local little war, and that a Murgo named Achak is at the fair. Achak turns out to be Ctuchik. Ctuchik has taken a rather ambitious servant named Chamdar, who has been assigned to track down Polgara and her charge. (BtS 418-425, PtS 430-431)

4416-?
Belgarath spends several centuries laying false trails for Chamdar. Chamdar proves to be, if not a disciple, then something very close to it. (BtS 426-427, PtS 430-431)

4500
Polgara moves the Rivan heirs to Boktor. (PtS 437)

4570
Polgara moves the Rivan heirs to a village west of Val Alorn in Cherek. It's rather safe, as Chereks will kill any Angarak on sight. (PtS 437)

4750
Polgara takes Gariel, the current Heir, to Algaria. Since Prince Geran had married Hattan's daughter, and Hattan had been the younger son of a clan chief, Gariel was a member of that clan. Pol points that fact out to Hurtal, the current chief of that clan, and the two of them are accepted as clan members. (PtS 43 cool

4756
Gariel and Silar's son Daran is born. (PtS 439)

4779
Daran and Selara's son Geran is born. (PtS 439)

4801
Geran's son Darel is born. Polgara, being sick of living in Algar wagons, begins a campaign to corrupt the newest heir, stressing the disadvantages of a nomadic life. (PtS 439-440)

4825
Darel and Polgara move to Aldurford, where Darel sets up shop as a blacksmith (the one already there was a drunkard). (PtS 440)

4831
Darel marries Adana. (PtS 440)

4841
Darel and Adana's son Garel is born. (PtS 442)
Inconsistency note: PtS 448 says that Garel is 21 in 4860 when he gets married, but this year of birth only makes him 19.

4850
In the spring, a total eclipse of the sun seems to trigger a massive climactic change; the sun becomes a rare sight. (BtS 427, PtS 442-443)
Torak emerges from Ashaba, deposes the Mallorean Emperor, and takes the throne as Kal (Old Angarak for "King and God") Torak. He returns dominion over his empire to the Grolims, who use sacrifices to keep their subjects in line. Belgarath warns the Alorn Kings--Cho-Ram XIV of Algaria, Rhodar I of Drasnia, and Eldrig of Cherek, who sends word to Ormik of Sendaria and Brand. (BtS 428-432; DLK 6; SD 6; PtS 442-443, 449-450)
Belgarath tells Brand that he's going to meet Torak in the next EVENT. Brand boggles. (BtS 436-437, PtS 44 cool
Inconsistency note: BtS says 4850, PtS says 4852.

4851
Darel dies of a heart attack. (PtS 443)

4852
An Angarak council-of-war is held at Mal Zeth. (SD 6)
Belgarath pays Polgara a visit to pass on some instructions from Beltira and Belkira. She's instructed to take Garel and Adana to the Algarian Stronghold, which will be besieged but will not fall. Polgara reluctantly complies. Once that's accomplished, Belgarath, Polgara, and Cho-Ram depart for Riva to meet with Brand. (PtS 445-447)

4860
Garel (the Rivan King) marries an Algar girl (Aravina). (BtS 437, PtS 44 cool
Inconsistency note: BtS says Aravino, PtS says Aravina.

4861
Gelane (Garel and Aravina's son) is born. (BtS 437, PtS 44 cool

4864
The Murgos and Nadraks close the caravan routes to the East. In response, Brand closes the port at Riva, and the closure of the port is enforced by Eldrig's war boats. Ran Borune IV is Not Amused. (BtS 437, PtS 451)
Belgarath goes south to alert Ran Borune. He's forced to pose as a member of Drasnian Intelligence to get the message through to him. He tells Ran Borune to get his legions ready. (BtS 438-440, PtS 451-452)

4865, Spring
Kal Torak leads an army of northern Murgos, Nadraks, Thulls, and Malloreans (Karands and Angaraks, primarily) into Drasnia. He isn't interested in conquest, he simply wishes to kill all the Drasnians in retaliation for what the Drasnians did to the Nadraks. The other Alorns concentrate on evacuating the survivors of the massacre. (BtS 440-441, PoP 21, Bv1 195, PtS 452)

4866
Kal Torak finishes off Drasnia. (BtS 441, PoP 21, PtS 452)
After an emergency session of the Alorn Council, Belgarath and Polgara head south to rally the Arends, Tolnedrans, Nyissans, and Mara. Polgara has to show Duke Elladan of Asturia an embellished version of what happened to Drasnia before he'll help. Elladan has a daughter, Mayaserana, who's about 8 years old. When they go to Vo Mimbre to speak with "King" Aldorigen XII, and Polgara gives a repeat performance, they find that Aldorigen has an 8-year-old son named Korodullin. How interesting.... Ran Borune proves to be much more receptive, and Salmissra comes around when she realizes just how unpleasant things would be if the Grolims got their hands on her. Mara doesn't care, but he's not going to let anyone enter Maragor, either. (BtS 444-448, PtS 456-466)
Belgarath and Polgara go to Ulgo to have a talk with the Gorim (who is the same Gorim as in Garion's day). The idea is to give the Ulgos, who are basically nonviolent, time to seal up their caves before the Angaraks come tromping through, but Gorim offers to speak with UL to see if he will allow his people to help. As Polgara is about to drift off to sleep that night, Poledra welcomes her to Ulgo--it seems she's in residence there. UL comes to speak with the two women; Polgara and Poledra are going to be obliged at some point in the future to share the same form, so that Polgara can be prepared for a choice she'll need to make in the future, without the danger of losing her sanity. (PtS 466-473)

4867
Kal Torak makes his move: he invades Algaria. He also has the other half of his army board ships at Dal Zerba, with the obvious intent of crushing the West between the two immense armies. (BtS 448-449, PtS 474-475)
Garel falls from a horse while scouting for the advancing Angaraks, and dies instantly. Polgara is forced to tell Gelane who he really is (even though he's not quite six years old) to impress on him that he needs to be careful. (PtS 477)
Polgara and Poledra combine themselves into a single owl. This gives them the advantage of concealment (they don't actually exist as a combined entity, so nobody can find them). They go and listen to Torak's raving. It's at this point that Torak reveals to Zedar (and to the listening owl) that he intends to take Polgara as his handmaiden. She's not amused. (In fact, it scares the sh*t out of her.) (PtS 479-483)
Kal Torak besieges the Algarian Stronghold. (BtS 456, PoP 21, PtS 483)
The leaders of the western armies gather at the Imperial War College at Tol Honeth. Meanwhile, the Murgos and the Murgo Grolims block the progress of Torak's second column--Ctuchik will, under no circumstances, allow Urvon to succeed in bringing his army to Arendia, but he can't oppose Urvon (and Torak) openly... (BtS 458-460, PtS 485-487)

4873
Beltira and Belkira nail down the destination of Torak's army: Vo Mimbre. (PtS 487-48 cool
A woman, glowing blue, takes the Orb from the Sword of the Rivan King, and places it on a shield. (BtS 465-467, PtS 489-490)

4874
Urvon assembles his army, and begins to march north from the District of Hagga in Cthol Murgos. (BtS 467, PtS 490)

4875, Late Spring
Kal Torak abandons the siege of the Algarian Stronghold. He turns west. The Algars and Drasnians attack the rear of his column; when he gets to Ulgoland, the Ulgos start committing constructive atrocities. (BtS 469-470, Bv1 195-196, PtS 490)

4875
A massive blizzard sweeps through the Great Desert of Araga in Cthol Murgos. The second Angarak column is bogged down. (BtS 470, PtS 490)
Aldorigen and Elladan meet for a council of war. They agree to a more private and personal war after the impending battle. Korodullin and Mayaserana meet for the first time. (They're not exactly friends.) (PtS 492-495)
Torak arrives at the edge of the plain surrounding Vo Mimbre. He stops to regroup. Of the Western forces, only the Tolnedrans have not yet arrived, but they're vital. Belgarath, along with the barons of Wildantor and Vo Mandor, manages to delay Torak's forces until the Tolnedrans can get within range. The two barons form a very close, if highly unusual, friendship. (BtS 480-485, PoP 21, PtS 496-499)
Torak has found out what Ctuchik and Urvon have been up to, and boy, is he pissed! While listening in, Polgara and Poledra learn that while the Mrin Codex has a special emphasis on the third day of the battle, the Ashabine Oracles emphasize the second or fourth day--in other words, if Torak and the Child of Light meet on the second or fourth days of the battle, Torak wins, but if they meet on the third day, Brand will win. Torak also jumps to the conclusion that the Child of Light is the Rivan King (i.e., Gelane), when it's actually Brand at the moment. (PtS 499-501)

4875
First day of the Battle of Vo Mimbre. Zedar has been ordered to take the city at all costs--even if he has to depopulate all of Angarak to do it. He fails. Most of Torak's siege engines are destroyed, and a frontal assault on the main gates fails. (BtS 490-491, PoP 21, PtS 504-506)
Second day of the Battle of Vo Mimbre. Before the battle starts, Belgarath gets the various elements of the western forces in position for the third day. Zedar uses sorcery to construct some mangonels, which resume the pounding of Vo Mimbre's walls. Belgarath creates his own, uses some small rocks to find the range, and then destroys the mangonels with a firebomb. Zedar attempts to use a windstorm to deflect the Asturian arrows, but Beltira and Belkira create a barrier of pure will to deflect the wind. Zedar's Grolims then try to create a duststorm by drawing the moisture out of the ground and letting the wind do the rest, but Belgarath gives him a very bad itch, and Polgara and the twins use the distraction to bring in a waterspout to settle the dust. A lot of Murgos die. (BtS 494-499, PoP 21, PtS 506-507)
Third day of the Battle of Vo Mimbre. The Angaraks are deployed with the Murgos on the left flank, Malloreans in the center, and Thulls and Nadraks on the right. The West has the Rivans, Sendars, and Asturians on the north, the Algars, Drasnians, and Ulgos on the east, the Mimbrates in the city, and the Tolnedrans and Chereks approaching from the west. The third day opens with a charge by the Mimbrate knights against the center of the Angarak lines. Zedar makes several attempts to escape, but first Polgara and then Belgarath chase him back to Torak's pavilion. The Algars then join in, followed closely by a combined force of Drasnian pikemen and Ulgos. The Ulgos, wearing black robes, infiltrate the Murgo ranks, wreaking havoc among both Murgos and (especially) Grolims. The Murgo king, Ad Rak Cthoros, is killed. Then the legions arrive, cutting their way through to the encircled Mimbrate knights. The Cherek berserkers are right behind them. Zedar commits his reserves to the battle, which is what Belgarath has been waiting for. He signals for the Rivans, Sendars, and Asturians to join the fight. Finally, Torak emerges from his pavilion, which was the whole point. (BtS 501-509, PoP 21, Bv1 196, PtS 508-512)
Brand challenges Torak to single combat. Torak accepts (he really shouldn't have...). Before they get started, Torak makes some threats--a death threat for Belgarath, and a marriage proposal for Polgara. But it doesn't help him any; when Torak draws first blood, Brand uncovers his shield to reveal the Orb. Brand then stabs Torak in his left... um, eye, I suppose. Torak is bound in sleep until the return of the Rivan King. (BtS 510-513, PoP 21-22, Bv1 196-197, PtS 512-51 cool
The aftermath of the Battle of Vo Mimbre. Brand wants to have a look at Torak's body, but Zedar has already taken it. While the Western forces are cleaning up the battlefield, Aldorigen and Elladan go off for that little discussion they'd been meaning to have; neither of them survive. As a result, the barons of Vo Mandor and Wildantor attempt to offer the crown of Arendia to Brand. He refuses, but proposes joint rulership between Korodullin and Mayaserana. They flatly refuse--at first. Polgara has them confined together at the top of a tower in Vo Mimbre. Alone. You can imagine what happened; all I'll say is that Mayaserana was apparently ticklish. The monarchs gathered at Vo Mimbre have some serious discussions, ultimately ending with the Accords of Vo Mimbre. Its terms include the establishment of the Rivan King as Overlord of the West, and that he'll have an Imperial Princess of Tolnedra as his wife. (BtS 515-524, Bv1 197-198, PtS 518-523)
Polgara and Gelane move to Sendaria--Seline, to be specific--and the ostensible King of Riva is apprenticed to a cooper. (PtS 524-527)
Beldin and Belgarath raid the House of Torak at Ashaba, searching for an uncorrupted version of the Ashabine Oracles. They don't find anything. (BtS 533-536)

4877
Gelane meets Enalla. Man, these Rivans fall fast... (PtS 527)
Belgarath visits Vo Mandor. (BtS 537)

4878
Beldin discovers where Zedar's hidden Torak's body. The old Mallorean Emperor begins to train his grandson Korzeth to take the throne. (BtS 537-538; SD 7)
Inconsistency note: In BtS Beldin claims that Korzeth is the old emperor's grandson; the prologue to SD (supposedly a history written by the University of Melcena) says Korzeth is the youngest son of the old emperor--"the son of his old age."
General Cerran (the commanding general of the Tolnedran legions) comes north through Arendia at a run, looking for Belgarath. He has a very sensitive message--a member of the Honethite family so bad that the Honeths have disowned him is asking questions about Polgara. His employer goes by the name of Asharak the Murgo--and we all know who he is, don't we? (BtS 539-540)
Chamdar begins getting numerous Polgara sightings, after Belgarath suggests a new hairstyle for dark-haired women. (BtS 546-547)
Gelane and Enalla are married. Osrig (the master cooper for whom Gelane works) decides that he wants to retire, and sells the shop to Polgara--on the condition that Gelane gets to open from now on. (PtS 527-530)

4879
Belgarath gets an urgent message from Polgara, who is in Seline. Gelane (the current heir) has joined the Bear-cult; the leader of the local cult chapter, however, turns out to be Chamdar (in disguise, of course--after all, he is an Angarak). Gelane turns out to be a victim of the same type of mental domination as Garion will be. Polgara breaks the hold that Chamdar has over Gelane by making Chamdar's actual thoughts audible; Gelane's innate, if minor, talent for sorcery does the rest. Gelane then, being an Alorn, reacts rather Alornishly. Chamdar is forced to flee. Gelane, Enalla, and Pol relocate to Emgaard, in Cherek. (BtS 548-555, PtS 529-539)

4880
Aravina dies. (PtS 541)
Belgarath goes to Gar og Nadrak to gather some information. He poses as a gold-hunter, and goes into partnership with one Rablek. He learns, among other things, that the Nadraks have developed a rather intense hatred for Murgos, Malloreans, and especially the Grolims and their God. His identity is revealed when he uses the illusion of a demon to drive off some Morindim. He and Rablek remain partners, though. (BtS 562-56 cool

4880
Korzeth is in the middle of re-unifying the Mallorean Empire. The Darine Codex is found to mention some 'helpers': two Nadraks. (BtS 559-560)

4881
Belgarath returns to the Vale. (BtS 56 cool

4902
Gelane dies. (BtS 569, PtS 546)

5250
Belgarath goes out to look around. Ctuchik is being himself (disgusting, that is). Zedar is wandering around the world. The various families Belgarath has been monitoring have been doing fine (except for Taiba's--Belgarath doesn't know what happened to them). Ran Borune XXI is the current Emperor of Tolnedra. He also pays a call on Polgara, letting her know that the twins have gotten hints out of the Mrin that they're within a century or so of the Godslayer. (BtS 572-577, PtS 547-54 cool
Poledra sends Polgara off to Nyissa, where the current Salmissra is being corrupted by Chamdar, at his master's behest. It seems that the Disciples of Torak have very little imagination--Ctuchik is using the same basic plot that Zedar did almost 1250 years previously. Salmissra's eunuchs even spot that. (Of course, given the numerous chemical compounds that any given Salmissra is on, you don't have to be all that original.) Polgara decides (at Poledra's suggestion) to deal with Chamdar as Asrana would have. Salmissra expels Chamdar from Nyissa with a price on his head, so it would seem to have worked. (PtS 549-556)
Polgara begins slowly weaning Salmissra off most of the assorted drugs she takes, and cuts the ones she can't take the queen off (like the ones that prevent her from visibly aging) to a minimum. With the assistance of Rissus, Salmissra's apothecary (and therefore functionally the head of the government), she turns Salmissra into an actual ruling queen, instead of a figurehead like most of them have been. (PtS 556-559)

5300
Beltira and Belkira manage to dredge a rather significant fact out of the Mrin Codex: the Godslayer will arrive sometime in the 54th century! (BtS 579, PtS 560)

5329
Darral (the current heir) and Alara's son Geran is born. (BtS 581, PtS 561)

5330
The Man with Two Lives (Durnik) and Drosta lek Thun are born. (BtS 58 cool

5332
Ildera is born. (BtS 589, PtS 574)

5334
Darral, Alara, Geran, and Polgara move from Medalia to Annath, near the Algar border, following the death of Darral's father Darion. (BtS 582, PtS 562)

5335
The Guide (Prince Kheldar, and a host of others), the Blind Man (Relg), and Anheg of Cherek are born. (BtS 582, 593)

5336
The Dreadful Bear (Barak) is born. (BtS 582)

5337
The Horse-Lord (Hettar) and the Knight Protector (Mandorallen) are born. (BtS 582)

5338
Polgara has to go to Nyissa to meet two people: Zedar, and the current Salmissra. It seems that Zedar is taking another run at subverting the Snake Queen. Belgarath and Geran spend the time fishing. (BtS 582-587, PtS 570-573)

5340
Ran Borune XXIII is crowned Emperor of Tolnedra; shortly thereafter, he marries a red-haired Dryad named Ce'Vanne. (BtS 587)
Zakath is born. (BtS 612-614, PtS 607)

5340
Taur Urgas is crowned High King of Cthol Murgos. He's already loopy. (BtS 587)

5341
Cho-Hag becomes Chief of the Clan-Chiefs of Algaria. (BtS 589)
Kheldar's father visits Rak Goska, and becomes... familiar with one of Taur Urgas' wives, Tamazin. (KM 289)
Inconsistency note: Silk says he was about eight when his father visited Rak Goska--and he wasn't eight until 5343.

5342
Drosta is crowned King of the Nadraks at age 12. (BtS 588, PtS 584)

5342
Urgit, the next King of the Murgos, is born. (KM 289)
Inconsistency note: as above.

5344
Hettar's parents are attacked and killed by Murgo raiders; he's found and ultimately adopted by Cho-Hag. (BtS 591-592)

5345
Belgarath takes Polgara to meet some of the Companions--specifically, Barak, Silk, and Hettar. (BtS 592-593, PtS 574-575)

5346
Polgara learns how to manipulate thoughts and memories, in preparation for her trip to Gar og Nadrak. Some of the cultural things (dress and dancing) take some getting used to--though as Polgara points out to her mother, it's all about the woman's attitude. She shops for an owner, then implants appropriate memories into his mind and settles into her own role. She meets both Yarblek and Drosta, the two "helpers" mentioned in the Mrin. Drosta is already considering an alliance with Drasnia to help fend off one of the more powerful Angarak nations. Polgara suggests using Yarblek as a go-between. (BtS 594, PtS 575-593)
Pestilence breaks out in Drasnia. (BtS 595)
Geran and Ildera begin spending a lot of time with each other. (BtS 595)

5347
Javelin (Margrave Khendon) brings a message from Polgara, which says that she's ready to come home. Javelin advises Belgarath to bring at least 12 of his gold bars (from the mining expedition with Rablek), or risk insulting both Polgara and her owner. The two Nadrak 'helpers' turn out to be Drosta lek Thun and Yarblek (a descendant of Rablek, no less). The two of them meet the old man (from EEG) on their way back through the mountains. (BtS 596-602, PtS 594-599)

5348
The pestilence in Drasnia subsides; Silk's mother is disfigured, and Rhodar's father is killed, elevating Rhodar himself to the throne of Drasnia. (BtS 603, PtS 599)
Belgarath and Polgara encounter the witch Vordai in the Fens. (BtS 602-605, PtS 600-602)
Geran and Ildera are married. Dual ceremonies are performed by a priest of Belar, and a Sendarian priest. The Sendarian priest actually invokes Torak's blessing. Belgarath has to struggle to keep a straight face. (BtS 607-610, PtS 602-605)
Zakath is crowned Emperor of Mallorea at age 18. He is, at the time, desperately in love with a Melcene girl. Taur Urgas, seeing a chance to dispose of an enemy, has his agents in Mallorea put pressure on the girl's family (they were heavily in debt). The idea was to have the girl marry Zakath, then kill him at the earliest opportunity. Word of the plot leaked back to Zakath, who ordered the execution of the entire family. When Zakath later found out about the plot, he nearly went mad with grief and remorse, and locked himself in his quarters for about six months. When he comes out, he's obsessed with avenging his love on not only Taur Urgas, but all of Murgodom as well. He begins sending highly insulting notes to Taur Urgas, accompanied by the mad king's relatives' pieces. (BtS 612-614, SD 8, PtS 607)

5349
A Murgo matching Chamdar's description asks around Muros for directions to Annath. (PtS 614)

5349
Darral is killed in a rockslide in the quarry where he works. Geran spends his time trying to figure out why a stable rock formation collapsed on his father; Polgara deals with her grief. Alara goes mad. (BtS 616-618, PtS 607-611)

5351
Chamdar evades his Drasnian watchers. (BtS 618, PtS 611)

5352
The Archer (Lelldorin) is born. (BtS 61 cool

5354
Fulrach is crowned King of Sendaria. (BtS 621)

5354
Belgarath spends a good deal of time in Tolnedra, searching for Chamdar. He doesn't find the Grolim. Polgara passes a message to him through the twins; it's ultimately Mandorallen who delivers it, however. The knight informs Belgarath that Ildera is pregnant. (BtS 619-620, PtS 612-614)

5354, night before Erastide
Ildera goes into false labor. Chamdar seizes his opportunity, and sends Alara out looking for her husband. She walks off a cliff, but the whole point was to get Polgara out of the way. Once Polgara leaves to search for Alara, Ildera's false labor becomes the real thing. (BtS 621-622, PtS 616-617)

5355, Erastide
Garion is born shortly after midnight. Chamdar sets fire to Geran and Ildera's stone (!) house. Geran manages to cut a hole in the house's wall, and pushes Garion out. Chamdar grabs Garion, and starts to run. Just in time, as it turns out, because Belgarath, alerted by the Necessity, has just arrived. As he bears down on Chamdar with murderous intent, Chamdar does the only thing he can think of to save his life: he throws Garion at Belgarath, and makes good his escape. (BtS 622-624, PtS 61 cool

5355
Belgarath and Polgara head straight for Pol's manor house--until she has time to make other arrangements, that's the safest place for her and Garion. She decides to change her tactics. This time, she's going to a small farmstead, rather than a town, and rather than tell Garion who he is so that he'll understand why he needs to be ordinary, she won't tell him, so that he won't be acting--he'll be an ordinary farm boy. Once the roads dry out in the spring, she goes searching for an appropriate farmstead; an innkeeper in Upper Gralt tells her that Faldor's farm may be the best place to try, since Faldor's cook is getting old and isn't paying full attention to her job anymore. (PtS 619-623)
Pol and Garion arrive at Faldor's farm. Durnik directs Pol to Faldor, who hires her on almost immediately as a cook. (PtS 623-633)
Belgarath enlists Kheldar's aid in finding Chamdar. Along the way, he sends Mandorallen (already a fearfully proficient knight) to break up a Murgo plot to lead Prince Korodullin astray. (Incidentally, Mandorallen's mentor, the Baron of Vo Ebor, recently got married to a young noblewoman named Nerina...) Anyway, Belgarath and Silk manage to track Chamdar to Tol Rane, and thence to Tol Borune, only to discover that they've been tracking the wrong man--Asharak has been disguising other Murgos to look like himself. He then sends Silk to Cherek--specifically, to Trellheim, to befriend Barak. In Tol Honeth, Beldin is waiting for Belgarath at the Drasnian embassy, and informs Belgarath that Polgara has left her house and has settled at a farm owned by a man named Faldor. (BtS 624-644)
various
Asharak visits Faldor's farm to look in on Garion (anonymously, of course). (PoP 18, 44)

5363
Belgarath visits Faldor's; to Garion, he is simply the storyteller. It's obvious to Garion that Aunt Pol (Polgara) knows him; she habitually refers to him as the Old Wolf. Garion dubs him 'Mister Wolf'. On this particular visit, Belgarath recites The Book of Alorn, which Cralto, one of the farmhands, says is only performed in the presence of kings smile . He also takes Garion into the nearby town of Upper Gralt; Garion has his first encounter with a Murgo--possibly a Grolim. Garion manages to deceive the Murgo by lying incredibly well; he passes himself off as Rundorig. Belgarath leaves in an attempt to lead the Murgo/Grolim away from Faldor's. (PoP 25-42)

5368
In the infamous rafting incident, we find out why Garion should never swim in deep water. (PoP 43-45)

5369, Erastide
A Murgo arrives looking to do some business. He also asks about Belgarath and "Rundorig". (PoP 49-52)

5369
The Dagashi assassin Kordoch arrives at Faldor's Farm, posing as Brill. (PoP 55)
In midautumn, Belgarath arrives. The Orb has been stolen. Belgarath has a discussion with Polgara about it, which Garion arranges to overhear. When Polgara tells Faldor that she has to leave (because of "family matters"), Brill listens in, but is observed by Garion. Belgarath and Durnik prevent Brill from leaving to report to his employer (Asharak, presumably). Durnik leaves the farm with Garion, Polgara ("Aunt Pol" or "Mistress Pol"), and Belgarath ("Mister Wolf"). (PoP 56-69)
Belgarath, Polgara, Durnik, and Garion meet up with Barak and Silk. (PoP 71-73)
Garion and friends first travel north to Darine, posing as wagoneers. Asharak is there; he and Garion recognize each other (though, of course, Garion doesn't know Asharak's name). (PoP 78-92)
After Belgarath determines that the Orb hasn't passed through Darine, they head south to Muros (the Orb hasn't been there, either), and thence to Camaar. They have several run-ins with both Brill and (possibly) Asharak along the way. Garion learns the Drasnian secret language. After an attack in Muros that was orchestrated by Brill, Belgarath decides to discard their wagoneer disguise in favor of speed, so they commandeer some good horses from the Algar encampment on the outskirts of Muros. (PoP 92-121)
The Companions arrive in Camaar. Polgara chooses their disguise this time: she is the Duchess of Erat, and the others are her retainers and servants. Belgarath finds the trail of the Orb; Barak gives Garion his first training in the use of a sword. Shortly thereafter, Captain Brendig locates them, and takes them to see King Fulrach at Sendar. (PoP 121-135)
Belgarath is fairly angry when he finally gets to see Fulrach. Fulrach gives Garion one of the major shocks of his life by calling Belgarath and Polgara by name. Fulrach tells them that the Alorns are preparing for war, and takes the Companions with him to Val Alorn for the council. (PoP 145-155)
Captain Greldik takes Fulrach and the Companions to Val Alorn. He turns out to be an old friend of Barak's. Garion gets his first trip through the Cherek Bore (at the prow of Greldik's ship). (PoP 159-164)
Martje (a Cherek seeress) identifies Garion as the "greatest of Lords." She also is able to see Barak's Doom. (Bv1 125)
Garion's first meeting with the Alorn Kings (and Brand, of course). Garion is sent off to the armory, since he's not invited to the council, and on his way there spots a man in a green cloak whose very bearing screams "SPY!" (Bv1 127-133)
While returning from visiting Barak's new ship, Garion spots Asharak the Murgo in Val Alorn. And it's a death sentence on the head of any Angaraks found in Cherek... (Bv1 141)
Garion overhears the plotting by the Earl of Jarvik and his spy (the man in the green cloak) while on a boar hunt; however, Garion hits his head during the hunt, and doesn't remember the encounter until later. Barak turns into a bear during this hunting trip, since Garion was in danger. (Bv1 143-151,153)
Garion spots the man in the green cloak again; following him, Garion discovers that the spy has found a place where he can hear the council going on amongst the Alorn Kings, Brand, Fulrach, Belgarath and Polgara. He tells Barak. (Bv1 153-160)
After Garion manages to convince Barak that there's a serious problem here, Barak takes it (and Garion and Merel) to the council hall. Anheg decides to have a little... talk with the spy; Barak takes a few men to "turn [Anheg's] palace upside down and shake it and see what falls out." After Polgara removes the compulsion that Asharak placed on Garion, she sends Garion back to his room... where Asharak is waiting. Garion runs. (Wouldn't you?) (Bv1 160-165)
The warriors Barak took manage to subdue the Earl of Jarvik's would-be invasion force; meanwhile, Garion is still running, and gets himself lost. He winds up behind the rear wall of Anheg's throne room, with no idea about how to get down (and without any way of knowing that he won't run directly into Asharak again). The Earl of Jarvik 'fesses up. Garion rejoins the party, and Hettar joins it. (Bv1 165-179)
Anheg recognizes Garion as the Rivan King (but doesn't say it out loud). (Bv1 181)
Martje wishes Garion well on his journey. Polgara bestows a double-edged miracle on her, restoring her sight but eliminating her second sight (Bv1 182-183)
Garion finally gets more information about his family--including the fact that both Belgarath and Polgara are directly related to him. (Bv1 186-191)

5370, late winter
The Companions arrive at the ruins of Vo Wacune. Garion was given two gifts for Erastide: a silver medallion with an odd design on it (from Belgarath and Polgara), and a sword from Barak. (No, not that sword. That's his sixteenth birthday present.) (Bv1 203-205)

5370
Garion is feeling particularly combative after overhearing a conversation between a pair of Arendish serfs, and attacks a young Arendish nobleman who presented himself at precisely the wrong time. Their swordfight becomes a reasonably friendly fencing match, and the two become good friends. Which is fortunate, because the nobleman is Lelldorin, the Archer. Hettar arrives around noon the next day. Once the Companions are assembled, Belgarath and Polgara reveal part of what's really happening--that Zedar has stolen the Orb. The Companions leave the next day. Silk uses his Radek of Boktor disguise as they ride south. (Bv1 207-21 cool
The Companions take refuge at the manor (garrison, really) of Lelldorin's uncle, one Count Reldegen. Reldegen happens to be an old friend of Belgarath's. Garion learns that Lelldorin and his cousin Torasin are involved in a plot to kill King Korodullin, and that a Murgo named Nachak is also involved, apparently providing financial backing. Garion (or the Purpose through Garion) tries to dissuade the two men. (Bv1 222-226)
A group of Arendish serfs (looking for fun and profit) attack the group the night after they leave Reldegen's house. They prove no match for the trained warriors among the Companions, and are easily driven back; Garion is kidnapped, but Barak recovers him from his captors. Later that night, Garion first witnesses his 'aunt' and 'grandfather' changing forms. (Bv1 230-235)
After the Companions encounter a unit of Mimbrate knights on the Great West Road, and are rescued from a lengthy interrogation by a unit of 50 Tolnedran legionnaires (who patrol the road since it's an Imperial Tolnedran highway), they continue south. They are ambushed by a large pack of Algroths near Elgon's tor, but with the help of Mandorallen, Baron of Vo Mandor, drive the creatures off. Lelldorin receives a poisoned wound during the battle (Algroth claws are poisonous). After the Companions stop a minor civil war in Arendia, one fomented by a Grolim, Lelldorin is left at the estate of one of the now-grateful former combatants, Baron Oltorain, under the care of the Baron's sister Ariana. Lelldorin releases Garion from his pledge to keep silent about the plot to kill Korodullin, and tells Garion that Nachak the Murgo is in fact the emissary of Taur Urgas, King of the Murgos. (Bv1 236-25 cool
The Companions arrive at the Great Arendish Fair. Silk (as Radek) and Garion go fishing for information. Brill and Asharak both arrive shortly after they do. With the assistance of some chicanery and an old friend/rival of Silk's (Delvor), Asharak and company are delayed while the Companions head off to the south, following the Orb. (Bv1 262-269)
Asharak attempts to get Garion to run away by using sorcery; Belgarath and Polgara remove the compulsion. The Companions pass Vo Ebor; Mandorallen stops to talk to Nerina. (Bv1 269-276)
"Behold Vo Mimbre, queen of cities! Upon that rock the tide of Angarak crashed and recoiled and crashed again. Upon this field met they their ruin. The soul and pride of Arendia doth reside within that fortress, and the power of the Dark One may not prevail against it."
Mandorallen, Baron of Vo Mandor (Bv1 27 cool
Do I really need to tell you where they are now, after that quote? smile They gain admittance to the palace after Belgarath causes an apple tree to grow from a twig... the formerly reluctant-to-admit-unproven-strangers knight Sir Andorig has a change of heart, and lets them in. Shortly after they are admitted into the presence of King Korodullin and Queen Mayaserana, the Murgo ambassador Nachak arrives. Garion, sensing that Nachak can't be allowed to leave the room, denounces him; Mandorallen champions Garion, offering to prove Garion's accusation through trial by combat. Nachak orders his bodyguard of six knights to attack Mandorallen; when freed of his obligation not to wield weapons in the King's presence, Mandorallen, joined by Barak and Hettar, take on the bodyguards... with predictable results. (Bv1 278-287)
Polgara extracts Garion from his encounter with the Countess Vasrana. He then has the unenviable task of standing watch over Nerina and Mandorallen, by the request of the Baron of Vo Ebor (Nerina is his wife), since the way Mandorallen and Nerina feel about each other is common knowledge (even the Baron knows, in fact, though he's apparently not jealous. Just don't make any bad jokes about it in his presence.) (Bv1 289-294)
"It's good to be back in Tolnedra again. I love the smell of deceit, corruption, and intrigue." --Silk (Bv1 300)  

[Gwyndara]

Fourth age continued.

5370
After Korodullin pledges to rid his kingdom of Murgos, the Companions bribe the customs agents and cross into Tolnedra. Garion makes an unconscious use of sorcery to cure the mad monk. (Bv1 297-301)
The Companions witness Tolnedran politics in action (read: murder). Durnik spots Brill in the crowd; Silk follows him to see what he's up to (no good, but I think you already knew that). Later that night, the Companions are abducted by mercenaries ostensibly employed by one Count Dravor, but who are actually acting on orders from the heavily-drugged Dravor's advisor, a Nyissan named Y'diss--who intends to turn them over to Salmissra. They break out of Dravor's dungeon, setting fire to the kitchen as they leave. (Bv1 303-314)
The Companions arrive in Tol Honeth. To get into the palace to see Ran Borune XXIII, they talk to Barak's cousin Grinneg, the ambassador from Cherek, who uses his pull to get them to see the Emperor. The Emperor identifies most of them, at least by nationality (he even pegs Garion as a Rivan). Ran Borune doesn't believe that Belgarath and Polgara are Belgarath and Polgara, but after a pointed demonstration he does agree that they may have some things to tell him. (Bv1 317-326)
Ce'Nedra makes her first appearance. Basically, she's throwing a temper tantrum--her father has given orders that she is not to leave the palace grounds for any reason. Ce'Nedra has other plans, of course. After she leaves, Asharak arrives; he's apparently a sort of trade envoy for Taur Urgas (which is to say, Ctuchik). He and Belgarath... talk. (Bv1 326-330)
Bethra recognizes Silk on the streets of Tol Honeth. The two of them swap information for a... favor. (Bethra's a courtesan, among other things. She and Silk are "dear enemies".) They leave Tol Honeth at dawn the next morning. At noon, a Tolnedran noble's daughter, Lady Sharell (actually Ce'Nedra) and her tutor, heading south to visit relatives in Tol Borune, catch up with them. Garion, Belgarath, and Polgara recognize her. (Bv1 333-339)
Ce'Nedra fesses up. Jeebers (her tutor) finds out that his orders did not come from the Emperor, after all, but rather from a certain Imperial Princess. He leaves that night, heading for Tol Borune to try to save his own skin by reporting the Princess' whereabouts to her family. The Princess learns more about some of the people she's traveling with... (Bv1 341-345)
"Young lady, I think you'd be amazed at how little Polgara's concerned about who you are."
"Polgara? The Polgara? I thought you said that she was your sister."
"I lied. It's a vice I have."
--Silk and Ce'Nedra (Bv1 345)
The Companions enter the Wood of the Dryads. Garion, apparently quite fragrant by this point, goes to take a bath in a nearby stream. A while later, Ce'Nedra also goes to take a bath (Garion really wishes she hadn't picked the same spot he did...). When he gets out of the water and attempts to return to the campsite, she informs him that he's supposed to stay there to protect her (oh, Polgara, you matchmaker you... smile . He does get a sort of reward, though... in the form of a glimpse of Ce'Nedra nude from the waist up. He almost gets to kiss her, too, but Durnik just had to pick that time to come along. (Bv1 349-354)
The Attack of the Moss-Men From Nyissa! Even Mandorallen is scared by these wonderful constructs of vines, mud, and snakes. One of the snakes has a message from Salmissra, which basically says not to enter Nyissa (or else!). (Bv1 354-359)
The Dryads arrive... well, specifically, one X'bel, who wants to kill Garion (but not really seriously). X'bel is disappointed when Xera (Ce'Nedra's cousin) says that she can't. They're taken to see Queen Xantha, who informs Ce'Nedra that she will not give her sanctuary--Ce'Nedra, as Imperial Princess of Tolnedra, will be going to Riva on her 16th birthday. They learn from Xantha that Zedar passed through the Wood of the Dryads about a week ago--with a little boy, about six years old. (Bv1 360-366)
The Companions split: Belgarath and Silk pursue Zedar and the Orb, while the others go directly to Sthiss Tor by ship. Garion and the others are intercepted by Tolnedran legionnaires commanded by Kador, Grand Duke of Tol Vordue... who wants to kill Ce'Nedra (very seriously). Everyone's favorite Grolim Asharak intervenes just as Mandorallen is about to commit some constructive violence against the Duke's person. Asharak then makes the fatal mistake of slapping Polgara... for which Garion sets him on fire. Poetic justice, as it turns out, since Asharak is a.k.a. Chamdar, and was responsible for the deaths of Garion's parents and paternal grandparents. Polgara intimidates Kador's legionnaires into arresting him on charges of high treason (after what Garion did, it didn't take much intimidation). First case where Garion is referred to as Belgarion. (Bv1 366-375)
Turns out that the captain who meets them at the mouth of the River of the Woods (by arrangement, through Barak's cousin Grinneg, the ambassador) is none other than Greldik (who got the job by chopping down the mast of the ship whose captain Grinneg actually hired). Garion, by this point, is feeling just a tad guilty about what he did to Asharak (even if Asharak did deserve it). Polgara orders Garion's first shave. Ce'Nedra begins the process of teaching Garion to read. (Bv1 379-384)
Hettar's Sage Shaving Advice:
"Pay close attention when you're near your nose. A man looks very strange without a nose."
The Companions arrive at Sthiss Tor, the Nyissan capitol. After bullying a Drasnian dockworker, they proceed to the Drasnian trade enclave. They're also introduced to certain facets of Nyissan life--the general state of (un)dress of the women, slavery, and better living through pharmacology. They talk with Droblek, the Drasnian Port Authority, to get information. (Bv1 385-390
Garion rescues a slave who dove into the River of the Serpent by translocating him to the dock next to Greldik's ship. Unfortunately, the man is already dead--the river is infested with foot-long leeches with a paralytic poison, and the bites have stopped his heart. Polgara deals with the Grolim who comes to claim his former property, then rips into Garion for refusing training. Garion replies with some things which he doesn't really mean. (Bv1 392-395)
When Polgara departs to cure a Drasnian messenger of his fever (so that she can get Belgarath's message from him), Garion is kidnapped and taken to Salmissra's palace. He attempts to lie to Sadi, Salmissra's Chief Eunuch (effectively her Prime Minister), but owing to some drugs he'd been given, fails miserably. They give him more drugs, attempting to "put his mind to sleep"; Garion's decidedly odd mind (which is linked to the Purpose) is able to fend this off, at least in part. (Bv1 396-409)
The Murgo Ambassador (from Ctuchik, not Taur Urgas, of course) arrives at the palace and attempts to negotiate with Salmissra for Garion. Salmissra agrees, provided that Torak will (a) marry Salmissra, and (b) give her immortality. An observation by the Purpose tips Maas (one of Salmissra's serpents--she is, after all, the Serpent Queen) off to the fact that Garion's mind is not entirely asleep. Maas is killed attempting to remove Garion's amulet; at the same time, the ash from a massive volcanic eruption in southern Cthol Murgos reaches Sthiss Tor, touching off a panic in the city. (Bv1 409-411)
Polgara and Barak (as the Dreadful Bear) storm the palace to retrieve Garion. After helping Garion to burn away the various drugs he'd been given, Polgara turns to deal with Salmissra. Salmissra doesn't want to be dealt with, however, and calls on Issa. Issa responds to the summons, but, after determining that Salmissra is most definitely not in the right, returns to his slumber, asking only that Polgara spare Salmissra in memory of his beloved, the original Salmissra. Rather than kill Salmissra, Polgara changes her into a giant snake. (Bv1 409-41 cool
The Companions (still minus Silk and Belgarath) anchor out in the main current of the River of the Serpent, away from the chaos on the docks. Barak attempts to kill himself (he doesn't like being the Dreadful Bear), but is stopped when Polgara tells him what happened when he and Merel... ah, shall we say, "coupled"... back at Val Alorn. Belgarath and Silk finally rejoin the others later that day. (Belgarath has a broken arm--a tree fell on him.) Rather than follow the Orb from this point, they make a side trip to the Vale of Aldur--Aldur has summoned Belgarath and Polgara. (Bv1 419-429)
"Now you've dropped it," [Polgara] chided [Barak]. Pick it up immediately, and let's get on with this. It's very inconsiderate to take all day to kill yourself like this." Polgara, just after telling Barak about the (impending) birth of his son (Bv1 423)
From The Something Never To Say To A Girl Who Likes You Department:
"Tell me," Ce'Nedra said, toying with the sleeve of [Garion's] tunic, "was Queen Salmissra as beautiful as they say?"
"She was the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life," Garion answered without thinking.
The princess caught her breath sharply. "I hate you," she cried from between clenched teeth. (Bv1 426)
The Companions reach the rapids of the River of the Serpent. Belgarath has Greldik give orders to the Alorn Kings: do not go to war with the Angaraks just yet. This puzzles Ce'Nedra, who isn't yet quite convinced that Belgarath is Belgarath, particularly since Tolnedrans don't believe in sorcery to any large extent. Barak decides to make peace with his wife. Garion and Ce'Nedra (particularly Ce'Nedra) begin dealing with their feelings for each other. (Bv1 441-452)
A lion attacks Mandorallen and Ce'Nedra, who are riding at the front of the column. Fortunately, Mandorallen is in full armor, and kills the lion barehanded (well, he had gauntlets on, but you get the point). This turns out to be a rather significant Event, since Ce'Nedra declares him to be her knight (which, of course, is in the Prophecy). Both Garion and Durnik believe that this little incident is aimed at Garion. Durnik talks to her about it, and we learn that Ce'Nedra is not as sanguine about being told whom she'll marry as she seems. (Bv1 452-457)
The Companions hide from a band of Murgos to avoid being forced out into Maragor. It seems that their leader is an old friend: Brill. The Murgos don't like obeying his orders, but they're doing it. Ce'Nedra and Garion overhear one of the Murgos mention that he's from Rak Hagga--a city 1000 leagues south of Rak Goska, and whose residents are never in this part of the world unless the Murgo King is on the verge of going to war with someone. (Bv1 457-461)
The Companions pass through a small "mining" town. As they are leaving, a man runs up and offers to buy Ce'Nedra and Polgara. As it happens, this was a cover. King Rhodar has agents absolutely everywhere, you know, and this one's name was Kheran. He passes the information that a dozen parties of Murgos have passed through that town in the last week, probably looking for the Companions. Brill arrives at the "town" shortly after, and is revealed to be a Dagashi assassin. To avoid the bands of Murgos, especially Brill's, the Companions venture out into Maragor. For protection, Belgarath and Polgara put them to sleep. (Bv1 462-469)
Garion wakes up, and has a long talk with the Purpose about what he's supposed to do--without the emotional part of his mind to get in the way. Meanwhile, Belgarath and Polgara discuss the fate of the Marags. They eventually arrive at Mar Amon, the former Marag capital. After wading through Mara's illusions (of the final days of Maragor), they arrive at the center of town, where the God Himself is wailing. They have a very close call with an angry God (Ce'Nedra is, after all, Tolnedran), but the Purpose takes control of Garion and stops Mara. Garion goes back to sleep shortly after. (Bv1 469-480)
The Companions emerge from Maragor about a week after entering it. They evade the gold-hunters, but encounter Brill (Kordoch, to give his proper name) again. Fortunately, he and his Murgos are about 100 yards away across a deep ravine. The Companions have their first encounter with the Dragon (she flies by overhead at night). (Bv1 469-490)
One of the pack mares happens to be pregnant and chooses a moment when the Companions are far above the treeline (and away from shelter) to go into labor. Garion suggests "the cave", and leads the others to it. The cave turns out to be where the Gods met while creating the world, so that they could plan out what they were doing. Mandorallen's "cowardice" (heh) is discussed. Finally, the mare gives birth to a colt--which is stillborn. Garion, unwilling to accept that, brings it back; the colt is now marked with a white patch on its shoulder, which has the same size and shape as the mark on Garion's palm. (Bv1 491-499)
Garion finally has the talk with Belgarath he should have had months ago... about what he can do, and what he had better not do, with his powers. They reach the Vale of Aldur four or five days later. (Bv1 500-506)
The Vale: The Companions reach the part of the Vale inhabited by the remaining members of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers (Belmakor, Belsambar, and, of course, (Bel)zedar are no longer members, being either dead or cast out). Ce'Nedra visits the tree (she's a Dryad, what do you expect?); Garion and Belgarath visit Belgarath's tower, while Garion receives a little instruction. (Bv1 507-514)
Aldur arrives (it is His vale, after all). He blesses the group, then takes Belgarath and Polgara somewhere for a little instruction. While they're gone, Garion decides to experiment by moving a rock. He does move the rock. He also sinks himself up to his armpits in the soil of the Vale. Silk and Hettar dig him out later. (Bv1 515-522)

5370
Beltira, Belkira, and Beldin all show up. Beldin's been watching Torak for the past 500 years; he reports that Zedar took Torak's body to the ruins of Cthol Mishrak in Mallorea. (When Zedar pulled Torak's body out, it caused a volcano to erupt, which precipitated the ash-fall in Nyissa.) The Companions head for Prolgu to pick up another party member. (Bv1 526-530)
"If this gets any more cloying, I think I'll vomit." --Beldin
The Companions encounter monsters galore in Ulgoland: Hrulgin, Algroths, rock-wolves, and even an Eldrak--Grul, by name. They are forced to kill Grul, who apparently holds a grudge from his last encounter with Belgarath. Garion and Polgara summon Poledra (in wolf form) to help deal with Grul; this sends Belgarath into a fairly serious depression. They rest for several days, then continue to Prolgu. (Bv1 534-549)
The Companions enter the Holy Caves under Prolgu. They are taken to meet the Gorim--apparently the same one who, as a much younger man, signed and aided in the negotiation of the Accords of Vo Mimbre. The Gorim summons Relg, a zealot and cave-diviner, since his aid is needed by Belgarath. Relg, having been told by UL Himself that "the child who will be Gorim will come to Ulgo through [him], and that [he] must prepare [himself] to nurture him and see to his rearing," has become extremely arrogant, and refuses. UL, however, has other ideas--such as a personal appearance and ordering Relg to obey Belgarath. Ce'Nedra remains behind when the Companions depart (but does give Garion a goodbye kiss). (Bv1 552-570)
A much-reformed Relg leads the Companions through the caves to Algaria. Hettar departs for the Stronghold to keep himself out of mischief (Hettar in Cthol Murgos is not, of course, a good idea...) and to keep the Alorn Kings informed of what's going on. The remaining Companions cross Algaria, climb the Eastern Escarpment into Mishrak ac Thull, and then turn south and ride hard for the South Caravan Route from Tol Honeth to Rak Goska. Along the way, Relg has a few of his preconceptions shattered (such as why Thulls are so anxious to avoid religious observances, which Relg feels are absolute). A Grand High Merchant from Tol Horb tells them that Taur Urgas is apparently attempting to drive all Western merchants out of Cthol Murgos. (Bv1 573-589)
The Companions reach the halfway point between Rak Goska and Tol Honeth. At the resupply station there, they meet an old friend of Silk's, a Nadrak by the name of Yarblek. When Yarblek mentions that Taur Urgas is coming to the resupply station, Silk leaves in a big hurry--he and Taur Urgas don't get along at all. The mad king arrives shortly thereafter; so does Brill, who has captured Silk. (Bv1 591-599)
Yarblek manages to find the Companions, who have taken refuge in a gully near the station. He gives them the basic layout, including the location of the pit where Silk is being kept pending a very painful execution in the morning. He also tells them that Taur Urgas plans to execute not only Silk, but everyone else in that camp who isn't an Angarak. In any event, Relg goes through the rock to get Silk, and the Companions continue south toward the Wasteland of Murgos, a former inland sea. (Bv1 599-607)
The Companions cross the Wasteland, dodging Murgo patrols, sandstorms, mind-searching Grolims (one gets through, unfortunately for him), and picking their way through the Tarn of Cthok (to throw off pursuers). They eventually arrive at Rak Cthol. Relg finds a large series of caves leading up; they begin climbing. After a while, they hear a woman singing... whom Belgarath identifies as a Marag (something borne out when Belgarath is able to converse with her in the Marag tongue). Taiba had escaped from the slave pens several days ago, with the intent of finding (and killing) Ctuchik, but got lost instead. Given Relg's problems with women and religion, she really rattles him. They leave her there while they go to deal with Ctuchik (mind you, they can't leave her behind, since she's also necessary to the Prophecy). (Bv1 607-624)
The caves under Rak Cthol happen to open into the slave pens, providing an access to the city. Silk takes care of the guards, stealing their robes (to provide some camouflage in the city). By twos, the Companions make their way to the Temple of Torak. Brill manages to ambush Garion; Garion, however, is accompanied by Silk. Silk and Brill fight, ending with Brill being tossed over the parapet (Rak Cthol is roughly a mile high). (Bv1 624-631)
"What was that?" Belgarath asked, coming back around the corner.
"Brill," Silk replied blandly, pulling his Murgo robe back on.
"Again?" Belgarath demanded with exasperation. "What was he doing this time?"
"Trying to fly, last time I saw him." Silk smirked.
The old man looked puzzled.
"He wasn't doing it very well," Silk added.
Belgarath shrugged. "Maybe it'll come to him in time."
"He doesn't really have all that much time." Silk glanced out over the edge.
From far below--terribly far below--there came a faint, muffled crash; then, after several seconds, another. "Does bouncing count?" Silk asked.
The Companions pick their way through the Temple of Torak, eventually winding up in Ctuchik's turret. Ctuchik is accompanied by a little boy, maybe six years old, with pale blond hair, blue eyes, and an aura of innocence. Belgarath demands the Orb; Ctuchik refuses, of course, and the two engage in a battle of sorcery. In the midst of the battle, the little boy opens an iron cask and removes a round, grey stone with a deep blue glow to it. He presents it to Garion with the single word, "Errand." Garion, sensing that for some reason the idea of him holding that stone scares Ctuchik senseless, reaches for it. Ctuchik makes his fatal mistake: he attempts to unmake the Orb. The aftermath not only annihilates Ctuchik and knocks Belgarath senseless, it sets off an earthquake. The Companions, with the little boy (and the Orb), escape back into the caves. (Bv1 632-644)
As the Companions flee through the caves, the Orb begins to study (for lack of a better term) Garion. (CoW 11-21)
Relg retrieves Taiba from the other side of a rockfall, over his strenuous objections (let's just say that Relg isn't cut out for a life of celibacy, and Taiba is apparently quite the babe). The Companions finish their descent of the caves, and set off across the Wasteland of Murgos after dark. The little boy continues to offer the Orb to people (nobody takes it, however, and Durnik eventually makes a pouch for it). Silk leaves a deliberate trail behind them, as they head forthe Tolnedran border. (CoW 21-33)
The Grolim Hierarchs combine their wills in an attempt to kill Errand, believing that if Errand dies, the Companions won't be able to get the Orb back to Riva. Polgara shields herself and the boy, telling Garion to protect the others (Belgarath still isn't fully awake). Silk also decides to leave Garion as the (however temporary) leader. Garion breaks up several attacks on Polgara and Errand. When the Hierarchs shift their focus to Durnik, in an attempt to get Polgara to drop her shield, Garion puts himself into his shadow and pays them a visit... telling the Hierarchs that they will leave them alone. Polgara has dropped her shield and Belgarath is awake when he returns. (CoW 36-49)
The Companions flee north toward Algaria, with a good portion of the Murgo army (and Taur Urgas himself) behind them. Since the Murgos are a little too close, they are forced to use a different trail than they'd planned. Belgarath, with unsolicited help from Garion, flips the rocks that the Murgo advance scouts are trying to roll down on them, way out onto the Algarian plain. (Belgarath, incidentally, is having a rather difficult time with them, while Garion isn't.) The Companions manage to ford the Aldur River before Mr. Murphy (and his Law) come calling: the horses are exhausted, and the fording of a very cold river did nothing to help their condition. They are forced to proceed more slowly, while more and more Murgos come down the Escarpment. Unfortunately for the Murgos, Cho-Hag has gathered the clans in anticipation of this event... and the Algars decimate the Murgos. Taur Urgas manages to escape, however. (CoW 57-70)
Barak's son has been born while he was in Cthol Murgos. Belgarath collapses--he's been drawing on his will instead of resting properly. (CoW 71-77)
The Companions arrive at the Algarian Stronghold. Belgarath gets a private room; when they're alone, Polgara tells Garion that it's entirely possible that Belgarath may have destroyed his power. Garion meets a tall, dark-haired girl by the name of Adara... whom Polgara reveals to be Garion's cousin (the youngest daughter of Ildera's sister). Elvar, a priest of Belar (and a Bear-cultist) is stopped from claiming the Orb. Errand meets the horse. (CoW 78-90)
Garion has a number of long talks with his cousin. He also visits Belgarath, who is awake and very cranky. Garion creates "Adara's Rose". (CoW 91-100)
On hearing that the Companions (well, actually, she's more concerned about Garion) are returning to Prolgu, Ce'Nedra begins some elaborate preparations. She overreacts just a little when she sees Adara, though, and actually admits to Polgara (and maybe even herself) that she is in love with Garion. She's still adamant about one thing, however: she is not going to Riva. (She's persuaded otherwise.) (CoW 101-113)
Relg leads the Companions through the caves to eastern Sendaria. While Belgarath and the others head straight for Sendar, Polgara, Garion, Durnik, and Ce'Nedra make a side trip to Faldor's, ostensibly to pick up belongings that had been left behind, but actually so that Garion would realize that he can't return there. They rejoin the others at Sendar with about a week to go before Erastide. They actually manage to convince Queen Layla (who is terrified of sea travel) to accompany them to Riva. (CoW 114-130)
The Companions, plus Fulrach and Layla, arrive at Riva at about noon on the day before Erastide. The Alorn Kings, most of their queens, Merel, Lelldorin, and Ariana are also there. Lelldorin, in fact, is now a wanted man in Arendia: He has apparently fallen in love with Ariana, Baron Oltorain's sister, and, well, he is an Arend. As Garion put it, "[Lelldorin] stole Baron Oltorain's sister, married her without his consent, broke his leg and assaulted several of his people--and a priest." Barak and Merel finally make peace with each other (shades of The Taming of the Shrew here...) (CoW 131-143)

5370, night before Erastide
The dream. Garion has a wonderful night; his dream involves reliving several scenes from his life, with everyone asking him one question: "Are you ready?" (CoW 144-149)

5371, Erastide
The ceremony to return the Orb to its proper place is held. Garion and Errand are the last to enter the hall (Errand has the Orb). When they reach the dais, Errand pulls out the Orb and deposits it in Garion's hand (which surprises Garion--touching the Orb is supposed to be deadly). Garion climbs the throne to place the Orb back on the hilt of the sword--which then comes off the wall! Garion attempts to keep it from falling, turning and raising the sword until it's upright. When it bursts into blue flames, he raises it above his head. Belgarath announces Garion's true identity to the hall. Torak begins to awaken. (CoW 150-160)
"Let Aloria rejoice, for the Rivan King has returned! All hail Belgarion, King of Riva and Overlord of the West!" --Belgarath (CoW 159)
"OH NO!" --Ce'Nedra's reaction to the above (CoW 160)

5371
Garion tries to get used to being addressed as "Your Majesty", as well as the fact that he now has servants. One servant is particularly persistent, following along behind him in grey cloak. He also learns that it's a good thing he likes Ce'Nedra, because according to the Accords of Vo Mimbre, he will be marrying her. He goes into the city dressed as a normal person to learn more about the Rivans (he's their king, yet knows virtually nothing about them). (CoW 161-176)
After a long session dealing with Valgon, the Tolnedran ambassador, Garion returns to his chambers, dismissing his guards. The persistent servant throws a dagger at him, but evades pursuit by his enraged king. A corner of the would-be assassin's cloak is torn off in his flight, however. Garion turns the job of investigating the assassination attempt over to Lelldorin. (CoW 177-185)

5371, first day of Spring
Ce'Nedra's sixteenth birthday. As required by the Accords of Vo Mimbre, Ce'Nedra, Imperial Princess of Tolnedra, presents herself before the Rivan Throne. The ceremony is witnessed by most of the royalty of the West or their emissaries, including Salmissra's Chief Eunuch, Sadi. Garion shocks the assembled archconservative Alorns (I thought about changing that, but I liked the alliteration. --ed.) by declaring that Ce'Nedra will share the powers of the throne. Garion gives Ce'Nedra Beldaran's amulet. (CoW 193-207)

5371
The assorted continuing tribulations of the Companions: Relg and Taiba continue religious and personal discussions, Merel and Layla speak briefly with Polgara. Queen Islena's problem is considerably more serious. She attended a few Bear-Cult meetings (the harmless ones), and now Grodeg, the High Priest of Belar and current leader of the Bear-Cult, is trying to blackmail her into remaining his chief contact within the palace. Islena tells Polgara that they are preparing for something major, and are even attempting to infiltrate Drasnian Intelligence--which would give them access to most of the world's state secrets. Polgara decides it's time to clamp down hard. (CoW 208-21 cool
Grodeg and his entourage arrive at Riva to perform the betrothal ceremony (not the wedding) between Garion and Ce'Nedra. Immediately after Garion is sure Grodeg and all of his men have left, the Alorn Kings, Fulrach, and several others sit down for a council of war. Garion is rather dismayed to learn that he will most likely be spending the rest of his life in armor, sword in hand. When Brand's son Olban enters to speak with his father, Garion notices a telltale rip in the corner of his cloak... (CoW 218-22 cool
Garion deals with Olban by telling him to throw the dagger and wool scrap into the harbor and never to mention the assassination attempt to anyone--and also not to kill himself. (He's sure that Olban hadn't planned the attempt in advance, it was merely impulsive.) That night, Garion has nightmares about the forthcoming war; the Purpose shows him the appropriate section of the Mrin Codex, which basically says that the people who would die in this war won't matter--only the confrontation between the Rivan King and Torak will. Garion sends for Belgarath and Silk. (CoW 229-233)

5371
Belgarath, Garion, and Silk sneak out of Riva in the early hours of the morning, detected only by Errand (who was just saying goodbye). They dragoon Captain Greldik into ferrying them to the Sendarian mainland, then taking a trip to see a friendly widow in Camaar (so that Polgara doesn't get her hands on him too early). Belgarath takes them through the fens (much to Silk's disgust). (CoW 233-247)
Vordai's fenlings intercept the trio, bringing them to her cottage in the fens for a talk--and a favor. In exchange for being allowed to continue (and out of compassion for Vordai), Belgarath uses his powers to grant the fenlings the power of speech. It's only afterward that Garion tells Belgarath about Polgara's concerns about his powers... (CoW 250-26 cool
The trio arrive at Boktor, where they are almost immediately intercepted by royal soldiers and asked to come to the palace. Queen Porenn, by Polgara's orders, is to send them back to Riva at once; Belgarath orders her not to. Silk's mother happens to be visiting the palace; Silk visits her, then immediately gets very drunk. They set out for Gar og Nadrak in the morning. (CoW 270-280)
Garion finds out the truth about Poledra. (CoW 283-293)
Garion, Silk, and Belgarath continue their journey into the East. Early on, they take steps to hide the Orb and Garion's sword. They also discover that there's a reward out for Silk's capture in Gar og Nadrak. (EEG 13-21)
They encounter the old gold-hunter in the Nadrak mountains, who warns them that Grolims and Malloreans are roaming around. They narrowly escape recruitment into the Mallorean Army when they stop in one town for information. In another town, they narrowly escape some Nadrak trackers with the help of some wolves, after Silk is recognized in a town where they stopped for more info. Vella appears for the first time, as a Nadrak dancing girl (who is very, very good). (EEG 22-47)
Silk and Garion are "recruited" by the Malloreans. The Malloreans themselves are subsequently ambushed by Yarblek and his men, who take Silk and Garion to Yar Nadrak to meet with the Nadrak King, Drosta lek Thun. Drosta reveals that Silk isn't wanted for crimes at all--Drosta's back is against the wall, and it's either ally himself with the West, or have his country become the newest Mallorean province. What he really needs Silk for is to carry a message to Rhodar; Silk suggests that Yarblek go to Porenn instead. Belgarath interrupts and extracts both Silk and Garion. They continue toward Morindland. (EEG 51-73)
Beldin catches up with Garion, Silk, and Belgarath, bringing news that the Alorns, Arends, and Tolnedrans are about to invade Mishrak ac Thull--and that they're led by Ce'Nedra. He also notes that the twins had a "visitation", when they recited a garbled portion of the Mrin Codex--in the clear. Apparently, the Orb is going to restore Torak. (EEG 79-83)
After disguising themselves, Garion, Silk, and Belgarath head out onto the Morindland tundra. They are interrupted only once, when a magician trying to make a name for himself challenges Belgarath. Belgarath summons Agrinja, the other magician summons Horja, and the magician loses when he loses control of Horja, steps out of his pentagram, and the Devil rips him in two. They reach the coast of the Sea of the East without further incident. (EEG 87-102)

5371
Ce'Nedra's morning activities are disturbed by a massive thunderclap--on a bright, sunny day. Polgara is just a little angry with her father, Garion, and Silk, and Ce'Nedra is the only one willing to deal with her... until she learns that Garion snuck away the night before. After that, she's nearly as angry as Polgara (though her destruction is less general; the Rivans won't be replacing their windows after Ce'Nedra calms down). Five days later, Queen Layla explains to Ce'Nedra exactly why Garion left--he's going to fight Torak, and taking an army would only get many, many people killed. (CoW 297-304)
Ce'Nedra discovers exactly what Beldaran's amulet can do. When she learns that the Alorn Kings are likely to have trouble with her father, she decides to assume the Rivan Throne as a sort of figurehead, reasoning that Polgara's still too angry to be rational, and she's the only one her father is likely to listen to, anyway. She manages to convince the Alorn Kings, over the objections of Anheg and Brand, that she's right. She also has her armor made. (CoW 305-320)
The Alorns land in Arendia. Lelldorin gathers a group of friends, kinsmen, and colleagues for a terror-stricken Rivan Queen to address. Her speech turns out to be a rousing success (after she's insulted by one young nobleman). (CoW 331-341)
"'And the voice of the Bride of Light shall be heard in the kingdoms of the world, and her words shall be as a fire in dry grass, that the multitudes shall rise up to go forth under the blaze of her banner.'" --Polgara, quoting the Mrin Codex
Ce'Nedra continues to speak to the Arends, gathering an increasingly massive army. She even brings the serfs into her army, by offering them the chance to eat regularly. She also suffers an assassination attempt, which is foiled by Barak. Olban kills the would-be assassin, then appoints himself Ce'Nedra's bodyguard. Ce'Nedra gathers the Mimbrate knights at Vo Mimbre, then continues on to Tolnedra, where she steals her father's legions after goading him into a(n epileptic?) fit. Beldaran's amulet shows that it can detect as well as enable telepathy. (CoW 342-373)
The various at-home governments (i.e., the queens and Sadi) are forced to deal with problems such as the Bear-cult, an opportunistic Tolnedran Empire, and a Murgo ambassador (Sadi has him poisoned). General Varana, the Duke of Anadile, is unofficially dispatched to Algaria by Ran Borune. Yarblek arrives at Boktor to speak with Porenn. (EEG 105-122)
The army moves through Ulgoland into Algaria, and approaches the Algarian Stronghold. Ce'Nedra, Adara, and Ariana discover that Adara's flowers managed to survive the winter--Ce'Nedra dubs it "Adara's Rose". General Varana arrives. The Alorn Kings outline their battle plan in Mishrak ac Thull to the general. Beldin and the twins arrive. (EEG 123-140)
The Chereks begin to portage their fleet--by hand. (Durnik, however, has other ideas, and convinces Barak and Greldik to use a carriage of his design for the portage; the idea quickly spreads throughout the fleet.) Rundorig and Doroon arrive with a supply shipment. The army moves to the Eastern Escarpment. (EEG 141-155)
Mayaserana of Arendia, as the Duchess of Asturia, releases the Asturian barons from their oaths of loyalty to her, so that they can then swear loyalty to herself and her husband as the Queen and King of Arendia. (She hopes this will end the undeclared civil war.) Ran Borune begins tracking the impending war on a scale model constructed in the Imperial compound. Sadi tries to play both sides of the war. Islena and Porenn round up the members of the Bear-cult in Val Alorn and Boktor and ship them out to join the army (this includes Grodeg, the High Priest of Belar). (EEG 156-171)
The army's command operations are moved to the forts atop the Eastern Escarpment (Rhodar actually climbs that cliff). Thulls have begun to show up and surrender. A dispatch arrives from Islena, telling Anheg and Rhodar that they're about to get reinforcements in the form of the Bear-cultists. Ce'Nedra learns exactly what will happen if they don't succeed. The main bulk of the army begins to move to the forts. (EEG 172-185)
Adara is severely wounded by a Murgo archer when she, Ariana, and Ce'Nedra take an unauthorized ride in the Thullish countryside. Adara's feelings for Hettar (and his for her, actually) come out into the open as a result. Polgara chews Ce'Nedra out (the ride was her idea). (EEG 187-19 cool
The army and the Cherek fleet move toward the headwaters of the River Mardu, pausing to annihilate a Murgo column that's in danger of getting too close to the ships. The fleet anchors just out of sight of the walls of Thull Mardu. (EEG 199-211)
The Battle of Thull Mardu begins. Relg and his Ulgos lead the attack, taking out the guards at the city's gates and opening the city for the rest of the army. The Thulls are not much of an obstacle for the attackers, and the city itself falls quite easily. The Murgos approaching from the south, and the Malloreans approaching from the north are another matter entirely. The Cherek fleet is released, and the army, split by the river, prepares to meet its opponents. (EEG 212-227)
North bank: The Grolims bring in a storm. Their shadows, used to draw lightning strikes to the Western army, are destroyed by Polgara; with the help of Beldin, and the twins on the south bank, she rips control of the storm away from the Grolims. The storm resumes its original course, headed back north through the Mallorean army. Lightning and a few tornadoes take their toll. Doroon dies; Olban, at Ce'Nedra's command, heads into battle. (EEG 228-233)
North bank: The Thulls, under Mallorean command, don't even take one charge from the Mimbrates (and you thought the Thulls were stupid...). The Grolims attempt to raise a fogbank, but this is broken up by Polgara and Beldin. Polgara overextends herself and falls unconscious. Torasin is killed. (EEG 233-240)
The fleet: The fleet continues down the river, taking out a Mallorean catapult emplacement on the north bank along the way. Anheg reveals that he actually only opposed Ce'Nedra leading the army as a way to undermine Brand's opposition to her. They reach the marshes along the river and send up the retreat signal for the army. (EEG 241-244)
South bank: One of Cho-Hag's clansmen spies the banner of Taur Urgas, King of the Murgos. Cho-Hag challenges Taur Urgas, and impales him in a duel. (EEG 248-252)
North bank: Olban receives a mortal wound and dies, after telling his father what he attempted to do to Garion. Col. Brendig has his arm removed. The north bank army sees the retreat signal, but is cut off from retreat by Mallorean trenches. (EEG 253-256)
South bank: The Murgo army's attack falters. Korodullin is wounded. (EEG 257-259)
North bank/Mallorea: Ce'Nedra contacts Belgarath, telling him that the army is being slaughtered. Belgarath instructs her to wake Polgara up, and tells her how. She does so, but Polgara is not alert. Polgara, Ce'Nedra, Durnik, and Errand are taken prisoner by members of 'Zakath's Imperial Elite Guard posing as wounded Sendarian soldiers. (EEG 259-262)
North bank: The Algars and Mimbrates charge the main bulk of the Mallorean army, while the infantry prepares to take the trenches. Hettar is accosted by Drosta lek Thun, and takes him to see Rhodar; meanwhile, the Nadraks are slaughtering their Mallorean "allies". The Nadraks leave with the Western armies. (EEG 263-266)
Ce'Nedra, Polgara, Durnik, and Errand are taken to Thull Zelik and, more importantly, Emperor 'Zakath's pavilion. The Emperor proves to be a civilized man, yet orders King Gethell (of Mishrak ac Thull) to be barbarically punished for failing to instill proper courage in his soldiers. He announces his intention to deliver them to Zedar at Cthol Mishrak. (EEG 266-271)
'Zakath nearly explodes when he hears exactly what Anheg's fleet is up to... only one Mallorean troop ship out of fifty made the trip from Mallorea to Thulldom, with 200 men on each ship. He decides that his guests will make the trip to Cthol Mishrak the next morning when he learns that Belgarath himself believes that Torak will awaken very shortly. (EEG 278-280)
Ce'Nedra, Durnik, Errand, and Polgara are escorted to the port by Grolims (who convince the crew of a Mallorean vessel to sail by sacrificing a random sailor to Torak... and threatening to continue the ceremony until the ship sails). They are met by a group of archpriests and then taken to the ruins of Torak's tower in Cthol Mishrak. Zedar meets them at the door. He bears a strong resemblance to Belgarath. (EEG 280-290)

5371
Garion, Silk, and Belgarath quietly descend the stairs to the crypt below the remains of Torak's tower. Their eavesdropping discovers that (in turn) Polgara, Zedar, Ce'Nedra, Errand, and Durnik are all present, in addition to the still-slumbering God of Angarak. Zedar reveals that he just "found" Errand--he has no idea where. (EEG 309-312)
Zedar makes the mistake of telling Polgara that she should just give in to Torak; struggling will make no difference, after all... it didn't for Zedar. Durnik takes almost immediate action, attacking the sorcerer. Zedar kills Durnik, and is immediately attacked by Belgarath, who bursts in through the door, followed by Garion and Silk. Garion, at this point, is incapable of action; he's already caught up in the beginnings of the EVENT. Polgara is likewise incapacitated, though by grief, and Belgarath is so pissed off that he can't think of anything except choking the living s**t out of Zedar. He settles for leaving Zedar entombed--alive--in the bedrock under Cthol Mishrak. (EEG 312-316)
Torak awakens. Belgarath attempts to take action, but the God grabs the front of his shirt and sends him flying across the room with a blast of pure Will. Torak then attempts to sway Polgara to his side. She is stopped when Garion begins flinging memories of Durnik at her. In frustration, Torak draws Cthrek Goru and tries to split Polgara and Belgarath, which is where the Sword of the Rivan King intercedes. (EEG 320-323)
Garion and Torak both expand, bursting through the tomb's ceiling. They fight until Garion finally hits on Torak's weakness: Torak needs someone to love him. Garion throws the fact that just about nobody does right in the God's face; Torak charges at Garion, but only ends up impaling himself on the Sword of the Rivan King. After Torak's death, all light everywhere goes out (temporarily, of course). The Fourth Age ends. (EEG 323-326; SK xv)
"Hear me, maimed and despised God. You are nothing. Your people fear you, but they do not love you. You tried to deceive me into loving you; you tried to force Aunt Pol to love you; but I refuse you even as she did. You're a God, but you are nothing. In all the universe there is not one person--not one thing--that loves you. You are alone and empty, and even if you kill me, I will still win. Unloved and despised, you will howl out your miserable life until the end of days." --Garion's final words to Torak
Torak dies. (EEG 326-327)  

[Gwyndara]

The Fifth Age

5371
The Gods return. With their aid, Durnik gets his second life. Mara finds that the Marags are not, after all, extinct (Taiba!); UL gives Relg to his son, with one restriction. Torak's maiming is healed. The Gods take Torak's body and vanish. (EEG 327-33 cool
Inconsistency note: The text at the end of the last chapter of Enchanters' End Game implies that it's over--that the EVENT between Garion and Torak is the last one. Obviously...

5372
Multiple weddings--Polgara/Durnik and Garion/Ce'Nedra, to be exact. (EEG 341-372)
End of The Belgariad

5372
Polgara and Durnik, accompanied by Errand and Belgarath, head for the Vale of Aldur, and the remains of Poledra's cottage, intending to renovate it (its last occupant was Polgara, roughly 2000 years earlier). Durnik thinks it would be somehow dishonest to use sorcery to assist in the job; Belgarath, of course, uses it whenever Durnik's back is turned. Belgarath remains in the cottage that winter. (GW 11-35)

5373
Belgarath goes to his tower in the Vale, taking Errand with him. Beldin drops by for a visit; he's been keeping an eye on the Angaraks. 'Zakath (would you believe the ' indicates the word Kal?) has embarked on a genocidal war in Cthol Murgos. Life in Mallorea is continuing as usual. The Army stepped in to stop the slaughter of the Grolims, though... since the Emperor would like to be King and God, using the existing church is easier. Urvon (Torak's only remaining disciple) is scrambling for reasons to keep his church together. The first rumors of the existence of 'Cthrag Sardius' reach the West. Errand visits Aldur. (GW 36-4 cool

5373
Cyradis visits Errand. (GW 53-54)

5374
Belgarath returns to the Vale. Polgara recalls hearing a Grolim say something about Cthrag Sardius (in Old Angarak, which she doesn't speak). The Grand Duke Noragon of the House of Honeth ate something which violently disagreed with him. Silk and Yarblek are quite successful by this point, having managed to corner the entire Nadrak fur harvest. Zakath has captured and depopulated Rak Cthan and Rak Hagga, in addition to Rak Goska. And... there are marital problems in the Royal House of Riva (according to Errand, who perplexes Belgarath and Polgara with just exactly how he knew that was going on...). Polgara decrees a visit to Riva. (GW 55-61)
The rather inebriated Captain Greldik ferries Polgara, Durnik, Errand, and Belgarath to Riva. Polgara spends a lot of time patching up the relationship between Garion and his Queen. (It later turns out that Ce'Nedra had overstepped her authority in issuing a decree; Garion revoked it in public, and the two began tearing into each other over it. One thing led to another, and they wound up at each other's throats.) (GW 62-76, 84-86)
Garion and Errand are in the throne room late at night. The Orb glows red, instead of its normal blue, and the Purpose tells them to "Beware Zandramas!". The two tell Belgarath the next morning, who traces the event to an obscure passage in the Darine Codex; Belgarath then assigns Garion the task of sifting through the library at Riva for genuine prophecy. (GW 76-84)
Barak arrives at Riva with word from Anheg that the Bear-cult is becoming active again. A new leader has taken control of the cult; for the first time, all cultists are taking their orders from one man. Anheg's warning is intended specifically for Garion, who had the temerity to marry a Tolnedran. (GW 85-91)
Belgarath departs for the East to investigate Zandramas. Garion gives the horse to Errand. (GW 92-95)
Errand's range increases considerably with the horse (dubbed "Horse" since he apparently doesn't feel he needs a name). He eventually visits the tree; on his way back, he encounters Zandramas (her shade, actually), who threatens to kill him, then vanishes. (GW 101-10 cool

5374
Hettar occasionally brings dispatches from Cho-Hag to the Vale. Zakath is still conducting a genocidal war in Cthol Murgos. Ran Borune is slowly dying, and the internal struggle for the succession to the throne goes on... albeit checked somewhat by Ran Borune's appointment of Varana of Anadile as his regent. (GW 112-114)

5375
Silk arrives; Rhodar's vast weight has finally had a serious impact on his health, and he will most likely die if help doesn't come soon. Polgara, Durnik, and Errand return with Silk to Boktor. Polgara's verdict is that Rhodar's life is measured in months, six at most, and there's nothing that can be done. During a visit to the working headquarters of the Drasnian Intelligence Service, Javelin persuades Silk to take on new employees (actually spies) so that he can keep an eye on the Bear-cult in eastern Drasnia; Javelin also reveals that Zandramas is a Darshivan name. Liselle appears for the first time (and she has some plans for Silk). (GW 114-126)
King Rhodar dies. His son, Kheva, only six years old, assumes the throne, with the Queen Mother Porenn as regent. Porenn's regency is supported by the Alorn Kings; Belgarion, in particular, makes a rather pointed speech. (It's pointed at Drosta, if you're wondering, and he delivers it while leaning on Iron-grip's sword.) Varana of Anadile is among the non-Alorn nobles present; he's wearing a silver mantle with gold bands on it--a mantle which indicates his new rank of Crown Prince. (GW 126-134)
Belgarath, Errand, Polgara, and Durnik return to the Vale; Belgarath and Errand head to Belgarath's tower. Poledra visits Errand with a warning: Zandramas is only a part of the "great evil in the world"; the Sardion is at its core, and must be destroyed. Relg arrives with a message for Belgarath. (And incidentally, with news that the new Gorim has been born: he's Relg's son. "Prepare thyself to see to his rearing," indeed.) (GW 134-139)
Belgarath and Errand journey to Prolgu in response to the message from the old Gorim. The Ulgos have been hearing the disturbances caused by the movements of a living stone--not the orb, but something called "Sardius", a.k.a. Cthrag Sardius. The Gorim is shocked to hear that it's connected with something called Zandramas (apparently the Darshivan name is an Ulgo curse word). Belgarath finds out about the visitations by Cyradis and Zandramas to Errand. (GW 139-145)

5378
The Baron of Vo Ebor dies as a result of the wounds he received at the Battle of Thull Mardu, touching off a crisis in Arendia. His heir, one Sir Embrig, promised the Baron's widow's (Nerina) hand in marriage to one of his drunken companions whilst they were celebrating Embrig's accession to the baronial throne. Mandorallen, of course, has a rather high regard for Nerina, and when he heard of that particular discourtesy, he went immediately to Vo Ebor, retrieving Nerina and causing a few fatalities and numerous grievous injuries in the process. The net effect is a state of civil war in Arendia between the baronies of Ebor and Mandor, with a company of Asturian archers (Lelldorin's) thrown in for good measure. Garion departs to avert open hostilities. (GW 149-155)
Garion arrives at Vo Mandor several days later. He prevents Nerina's suicide by promising to let her jump from the parapet of Mandorallen's castle (the journey to the courtyard should take her about a day and a half...). Garion then heads for the field of battle with an unbreakable lance and a very bad attitude. On arrival, he rapidly unhorses five knights, then starts a thunderstorm and proceeds to blow holes in the turf, thus successfully taking most of the fight out of the opposing armies. Embrig gets all of the Barony of Vo Ebor, Mandorallen gets Nerina, and the armies go home. (GW 155-162)
Nerina objects when she's informed that she'll be marrying Mandorallen (even though she's loved him for years). Garion's methods of overcoming this difficulty are fairly direct. He knocks down Nerina's door, negotiates (and pays) her dowry, reminds Nerina that they're already acquainted, orders Nerina to say "yes" to Mandorallen's formal proposal, ignores the happy couple's complaints about their current dress (black for her, armor for him), creates a ring for Nerina out of the air, has Lelldorin bring a lady of noble birth to the chapel ("'...even if you have to drag her by the hair.'"), and finally draws his sword, marches them to the chapel, and sees the two safely wed. (GW 162-166)
A letter from Varana advises Ce'Nedra that her father is dying; Garion accompanies his wife to Tol Honeth. After getting his last request (Garion summoned his wife Ce'Vanne's ghost), Ran Borune XXIII dies. (GW 178-186)
Two days after Ran Borune's funeral, Varana's coronation takes place. Varana enters in his legion uniform, rather than the Emperor's gold mantle, which has the other families gloating, since they think they can still bribe their way on to the Imperial Throne--until Varana has himself crowned as Emperor Ran Borune XXIV instead of Ran Anadile I, clearly announcing that he intends to keep the throne for himself. (GW 187-191)
The courtesan Bethra arrives at the Imperial Palace with information for Varana: a pair of Honethite nobles are plotting the death of Varana's son. She declines payment (she doesn't sell information). (GW 193-196)
The Vorduvians try secession from the Empire. Varana's solution has Garion, Cho-Hag, Anheg, and Brand toasting the efforts of the Vorduvians to maintain order in their new kingdom: he's made a secret arrangement with Korodullin, and the new Kingdom of Vordue is suddenly infested with Arendish bandits (wearing full armor). (GW 197-200)
5378-9
In response to a problem about the heir to the Rivan Throne (specifically, that there isn't one yet), Polgara, Durnik, and Errand arrive at Riva. Captain Greldik, who brought the three, immediately sets sail for the Wood of the Dryads to fetch certain supplies and the Dryad Princess Xera (Ce'Nedra's cousin). Garion's rather puzzled by some of the things that go on (such as having to pick and spade the ground around the roots of the trees in Ce'Nedra's garden to a depth of about 3 feet, dump in the bales of loam, water them, then cover the hole back up). Belgarath arrives in the middle of all this, very angry, after having traveled all over averting the ice age Garion nearly started with his thunderstorm down in Arendia--and warns Garion not to tamper with the weather until he's had a great deal more study. (GW 201-21 cool

5379
Ce'Nedra gets morning sickness. 'nuff said. (GW 225-226)
A woman attempts to assassinate Ce'Nedra. She jumps off the battlements of the Citadel to escape capture. Arell, Brand's niece and one of Ce'Nedra's maids, is killed in the assassination attempt. Between them, Polgara and Silk (mostly Polgara) manage to pin down the assassin as a northeastern Drasnian, from somewhere near Rheon. Silk decides to pay a visit to Rheon to look around. (GW 240-252)
5380
(Month) 7th: Geran, Crown Prince of Riva, is born. (GW 253-257, SK 250)

5380
Garion discovers a spot in the Mrin Codex that's more cryptic than usual: "But behold, the stone which lies at the center of the light shall...", a blot, then, "...and this meeting will come to pass in a place which is no more, and there will the choice be made." Beginning of one sentence, end of another, and Garion can't figure out what's in the middle. Belgarath declines to help him--Garion discovered it, he can figure it out. (GW 260-262)
Garion, while pouring over scrolls of assorted madness which occasionally contain genuine prophecy, gets a visitation from the Purpose. He learns two things from his intermittent visitor. First, he can just scan the books he's been laboriously wading through, and the parts that are prophecy will be apparent to him. Second, the blot he found in the Mrin Codex is important--and that the words there can be read in the proper kind of light. Eventually, at Ce'Nedra's suggestion, he goes in search of the original copy of the Mrin Codex. According to the Rivan Deacon, it's kept in the shrine that was erected on the site where the Mrin Prophet was kept chained. (GW 263-270)
Before Garion leaves for Drasnia, he awakens in the night to find that Ce'Nedra isn't in bed with him. Instead, she's in the next room, acting under the influence of another mind to smother her son. Poledra stops her, and tells Garion that he really does need to see the original copy of the Mrin Codex--and that he should take the Orb with him when he goes. (GW 271-275)
Garion encounters Tupik and Poppi (two fenlings... you may remember them), who inform him that Vordai is now dead, but left a message for him--what moves against him has many faces which do not always agree, but has a common source. After that encounter, he continues up the Mrin river to the shrine. (GW 276-27 cool
Garion arrives at the shrine and gains access to the original scroll of the Mrin Codex... only to find the same #^@$#^ blot! As it turns out, the Dark Prophecy, through one of its agents, is deliberately trying to prevent Garion from finding out what's written there; it nearly succeeds, until Garion accidentally brushes the Orb and realizes that that's what Poledra was trying to tell him. The instructions under the blot turn out to be fairly important: they tell Garion and Belgarath what they need to do to finish the whole thing. Garion immediately heads for Belgarath's tower in the Vale of Aldur. Belgarath is initially (and uncharacteristically) hostile, until Garion forces him to read the "hidden" text by the light of the Orb. (GW 276-292)
Brand is murdered. Garion immediately returns to Riva, calling an emergency session of the Alorn Council. It turns out that the assassins were Chereks; they were admitted to the Citadel because they had a letter from Anheg. All but one of the assassins were killed; the sole survivor is only barely alive. (GW 293-304)
The Alorn monarchs (and Fulrach of Sendaria) arrive; Porenn brings Javelin along. Korodullin sends Lelldorin and Mandorallen (he himself is too ill to travel). Anheg arrives two days later aboard Barak's ship. Brand's funeral is held the following day, and the assorted notables gather to exonerate Anheg afterward. Greldik arrives after lunch the day after the funeral, bearing news that the inhabitants of Jarviksholm (primarily Bear-cultists) appear to be on the verge of going to war with their king--they tried to sink Greldik, and they're building a large fleet. The day after that, Belgarath finally manages to prove that the letter that admitted the assassins was a forgery. Porenn points out that this may have been an attempt to start a war between Riva and Cherek. (GW 305-322)
Silk returns from Rheon with a report on the Bear-cult. It seems that they have a new and very unusual leader by the name of Ulfgar. Ulfgar does not seem to be a priest of Belar, and his center of power is at Rheon in Drasnia, rather than somewhere in Cherek. He's also resurrected a means of identification among the cult--a stylized representation of a bear paw is branded on every cult member's heel, up to and including the surviving assassin. Plans are made to attack Jarviksholm, then Rheon. (GW 323-325)
The attack on Jarviksholm is spectacularly successful. Under cover of darkness, forces under General Brendig climb the cliffs near Jarviksholm and take about half of the cultists' catapults, then use them to destroy the other half. The other group up the cliff is under Garion and Barak, and they attack the city gates. (Garion uses his own peculiar type of battering ram; thanks to the Orb's "help", he hits the gates so hard with his will that chunks of the gate are later found up to five miles away. He also caves in most of the back wall of the city.) At the same time, Anheg takes the fleet up the Jarviksholm inlet and burns out the shipyards. The attack also offers an opportunity to get a spy into the cult--Javelin actually crucifies his own niece to create a martyr/heroine. (GW 335-343)
During the attack on Jarviksholm, someone kidnaps Geran. (GW 343)
Garion, Belgarath, Polgara, and Durnik fly back to Riva. Ce'Nedra is hysterical, so Kail (Brand's second son and the new Rivan Warder) has taken charge, sealing the port and blockading the Isle's coast. The Citadel has been searched, and a house-to-house search is underway in the city. The Orb short-circuits the search--it seems that the Orb can follow Geran's trail, which leads to a cove on the western side of the Isle. After springing an ambush set by Bear-cultists, Garion and company learn that Geran was abducted on the orders of Ulfgar, who intends to raise Geran within the cult. The cultist they question also claims that Ulfgar is a sorceror. (GW 344-359)
The Alorn Kings move against the cult stronghold at Rheon. Anheg sets his soldiers to searching Cherek's western coast (on the off-chance that the kidnapper didn't know about what happened to Jarviksholm). Belgarath begins searching for the various prophecies he's supposed to look for; he gets Anheg's copy of the Ashabine Oracles at Val Alorn, then heads for Mar Terrin to look at their copy of the Mallorean Gospels. Rivan troops head directly for Rheon; the Drasnian forces under General Haldar are to follow shortly. (Haldar, incidentally, seems surprised that Geran was abducted, not killed.) When Beldin arrives, he informs Garion and the others that the Drasnian forces are not following--they have set up a fortified encampment at the shallows of the Mrin, where they can keep the Sendarian forces from ever landing. (GW 360-377)
With the help of some Nadraks, the Rivans thwart the cult's attempt to set up an ambush, then lay siege to Rheon. Beldin and Polgara keep the Drasnian forces from being used at the siege by bogging them down (literally). Meanwhile, Javelin points out that they'd better get inside the city where they can fortify their position against both the cult and the pikemen--just in case. Silk makes a foray into the city to get Liselle out; Liselle states that Geran does not appear to be in the city, and Ulfgar didn't really expect this attack. She also knows that Ulfgar is not an Alorn, and that the city's defenses are actually fairly flimsy--the north wall in particular. (GW 381-404)
Garion and Durnik crack open the rock layer below the city, allowing water to wash out the dirt under the city walls. When the process is complete, the Nadraks use their grappling hooks to pull the walls down. The besieging forces take a part of the city and fortify, waiting for the Sendars and Algars. (GW 406-41 cool
The Sendars, Algars, and Belgarath all arrive at Rheon within a day of each other. Belgarath has gotten nowhere--Torak altered the Ashabine Oracles, and the copy of the Mallorean Gospels at Mar Terrin was right under a leak in the library's roof. Kail, Verdan, Brin, and Joran arrive from Riva--they found the ship the cultists arrived on the island in. They also found a shepherd who saw a Nyissan ship sail into the same cove where the ambush was, and also saw someone carrying something wrapped in a blanket board the ship. (GW 419-425)
Garion's army retakes Rheon. Garion and Durnik capture Ulfgar... who turns out to be a very unusual character. According to Errand's unusual mind-reading ability, Ulfgar had absolutely nothing to do with Geran's abduction--in fact, he was under orders to have Geran killed. Ulfgar believes that Zandramas was responsible for Geran's abduction. Beldin recognizes Ulfgar as Harakan, one of Urvon's "dogs" (former Hounds of Torak), and pursues Harakan when he escapes (and Harakan does escape). (GW 426-440)
Cyradis, the Seeress of Kell, and her guide Toth arrive at Rheon to give the Companions their instructions. The next meeting between the Child of Light and the Child of Dark (not Garion and Zandramas) will be the last. It will take place "In the presence of the Sardion--in the place which is no more." Geran should be killed if there's no other way to prevent Zandramas from reaching the Sardion with him. Garion is to be accompanied by Belgarath, Polgara, Errand, Ce'Nedra, Silk, Durnik, and Toth (the Silent Man); he will be joined later by the Huntress, the Man Who Is No Man, the Empty One, and the Woman Who Watches. They are to stop at Prolgu, since something very important is going to happen there. (GW 441-453)
The Companions arrive at Prolgu. The second day they're there, Errand vanishes, evidently going exploring. Polgara sends Garion to look for him; Garion finds Errand (now Eriond) calmly speaking with UL. Garion learns that Geran is safe... for now. (KM 11-30)
Some Ulgos guides the Companions through the caves to Arendia. They manage to get below the snowline before stopping for the night. The "Dragon" (read: Zandramas) decides to pay them a visit that night; Eriond offers her the chance to leave without a fight, but when she refuses he turns Garion loose on her. If he wanted it, Garion could have had one hell of a souvenir: about four feet of dragon-tail that he lopped off with his sword. (Which also makes you wonder just what Zandramas lost...) Zandramas flees with what's left of her tail between her legs. (KM 36-50)
"It's what I do. Any time there's something so ridiculously dangerous that no rational human being would even consider trying it, they send for me." --Garion's answer to his own question, "Why me?" (KM 52)
Silk encounters Delvor at the Arendish Fair. According to Delvor, an Angarak merchant has been asking questions about the Companions. Whomever he is claims to be a Nadrak, but is more likely a Mallorean. He does have a distinguishing characteristic, however--his eyes are all white. Delvor also says that someone has been supplying weapons to the Arendish serfs (who, perhaps for the first time in history, have a widespread degree of basic military training...). When Beldin shows up (again), he and Delvor concoct a scheme that sends the Angarak "merchant" Naradas (who is actually a Mallorean Grolim) scurrying off to the north. (KM 58-69)
At the Tolnedran customs station on the Great West Road, the inspector reveals that it was Naradas who was behind the Vordue family's abortive secession attempt. (KM 71-74)  

[Gwyndara]

Fith age continued

5380
The Companions arrive at Tol Honeth (and stay at the Imperial Palace, of course). It turns out that even Varana has heard of Naradas; his advisors think the Grolim's an agent for King Urgit. The Drasnian ambassador (and Liselle) bring bad news--the courtesan Bethra has been murdered. This is important to both the Tolnedrans and the Drasnians, since Bethra would often supply to the Emperor information gained during her professional activities, and was also Drasnian Intelligence's most secret agent ("Hunter") at the time she died (responsible for, among other things, poisoning Grand Duke Noragon of Tol Honeth and suggesting Varana's adoption to Ran Borune XXIII). (KM 75-82)
Belgarath and Garion visit the Imperial university library, searching for a copy of the Prophecies of the Western Grolims. The copy they find, unfortunately, was written on human skin, and the ink has faded so badly that very little of the prophecy is legible. The one phrase they can read is "...seek the path of the Child of Dark in the land of the serpents..." confirming that Zandramas has, in fact, gone to Nyissa. (KM 82-8 cool
The next morning, it snows. Varana informs Garion that Naradas has been seen in Tol Honeth; he offers to arrest Naradas, but Garion declines (since Naradas is a Mallorean Grolim, it wouldn't do much good). Morin, Varana's chamberlain, informs the monarchs that someone has been quietly killing members of the Honeth family. The assassin smothered a few with their own pillows, and defenestrated one of his targets; now, however, he's started using his knife. (KM 89-95)
"It never snows in Tol Honeth!" --various

5381
Silk is awaiting the rest of the Companions when they return from the Emperor's Erastide party. It seems he's been out killing the Honeths--twelve, at last count, with a thirteenth (Baron Kelbor) who isn't likely to survive. Kelbor, it turns out, is the man who actually gave the order to have Bethra killed. A Mallorean, most likely Harakan, assisted and participated in the murder. Over Belgarath's objections, Liselle joins the party. (KM 100-106)
"Please, Durnik. Murder is such an ugly word." --Silk (KM 102)
"Curmudgeon? Pol, you watch your tongue."
"That's really very difficult, father, and it makes one look ridiculous." --Belgarath and Polgara (KM 105)
The Companions leave Tol Honeth using a service provided by the late Bethra (for customers at one of her houses of ill repute). They head for the Wood of the Dryads. X'bel (the Dryad who wanted to kill Garion the last time they were there) says that she saw a Nyissan craft near the mouth of the River of the Woods late the previous summer; a robed human carrying something got off, then the boat caught fire. The sailors who jumped overboard became sharkbait. Without stopping to think, Garion takes Eriond's horse (at Eriond's insistance) and heads out, arriving at the mouth of the river in record time (it should have taken a couple of days, but took less than half an hour--thanks to the horse). The horse translocates himself and Garion to the south bank of the river--where the Orb picks up Geran's trail. (KM 107-124)
Zandramas' trail leads past Sthiss Tor. The Companions have no intention of entering the city, but the poisoner Issus is waiting for them; his employer (Sadi) wishes to speak with them. Sadi has recently been removed from the position of Chief Eunuch by a rival he hadn't gotten around to poisoning yet. Since Salmissra put a price on his head, he offers the information he has about Zandramas in exchange for being allowed to accompany the Companions (and as it happens, he's supposed to--Belgarath really isn't happy about it, though). Acting on Sadi's information, Garion and Polgara visit the palace; it turns out that Salmissra had nothing to do with the Nyissan ship that Zandramas fled on. Sariss, her Chief Eunuch, abused his authority to arrange for the ship. Salmissra isn't happy; she and Sariss share a 'kiss', and the position of Chief Eunuch is vacated. Salmissra also reveals that Zandramas is a woman, and that she was the dragon who visited them near the Ulgo foothills. (KM 133-162)
Sadi's plan for allowing them to move around freely in Cthol Murgos (which is where Zandramas went) is to pose as slavers; the Murgos are so used to the slavers that they'll be practically invisible. Sadi purchases gear appropriate to the disguise. (KM 170-175)
The Companions come across what's left of Zandramas' guides; when she got to the Murgo border, she didn't need them any more. She broke their legs and left 'em for the lions. (KM 176-177)
The Companions begin to round the Great Desert of Araga. While observing (undetected) a battle between the Mallorean and Murgo forces, the Dagashi discover them and escort them to Kahsha. Jaharb, the Chief Elder of the Dagashi, offers them a commission: escort a Dagashi assassin from the Temple of Torak in Rak Urga to Rak Hagga, where 'Zakath's headquarters are. As this is, of course, the classic Mafia offer, they accept. Dagashi escort them to Rak Urga. (KM 177-199)
Sadi ("Ussa of Sthiss Tor") and company are escorted by the doorman of the Temple of Torak to the office of Chabat (the Hierarch's current favorite, and also his secretary... well, sort of). She allows them to stay at the Temple until the Hierarch returns, then leaves with her lover, Sorchak (who secretly hates her guts). It's quite evident that Chabat is not a popular priestess. (KM 202-20 cool
Garion and Belgarath locate a copy of one of the prophecies they've been looking for. It states that "the path that has been lost will be found again on the Southern Isle." (Meaning the Isle of Verkat.) They also learn that Geran is some sort of "sacrifice" in the Dark Prophecies. Silk finds them and tells them that Eriond is missing. (KM 209-215)
Eriond walks into the Sanctum and puts out the fires as the Grolims are about to sacrifice a slave. Garion watches the whole thing, but doesn't interfere (a course of action enforced by the Purpose). Eriond is taken to Chabat; Garion makes his way back to the others and tells them what's happened. They're all thrown into the dungeon until Agachak returns. (KM 215-227)
Sorchak and Chabat put the Companions on trial before Agachak (who is, incidentally, fully aware of what the two of them are up to). Urgit, the King of the Murgos, arrives in the middle of all of it. Having failed with Agachak (who tests Eriond for evidence of sorcery--which is how Sorchak claimed he'd put out the fires--and fails to find any), Chabat brings out Sadi's case--the one with all the drugs (which are illegal in Cthol Murgos) and Zith. Sorchak makes the big mistake of opening Zith's bottle over Sadi's protests, and Sorchak dies before he hits the floor. Urgit takes the Companions with him back to the Drojim Palace, while Agachak keeps the Dagashi they're supposed to escort to Rak Hagga in the Temple. As it turns out, Sadi and Urgit are old friends. (KM 227-242)
Urgit and the Companions arrive back at the hideously decorated Drojim Palace ("The product of whole generations of diseased imaginations.") They are introduced to both Lady Tamazin, Urgit's mother, Lady Prala, who'd like to be his wife, and Oskatat, Urgit's seneschal. Silk hides his face when Oskatat enters, since Oskatat would recognize him as being the person who killed Taur Urgas' oldest son. (KM 242-252)
Several assorted mysteries explained: Urgit explains why Zakath is so hell-bent on killing himself and every other Murgo on the face of the planet; Tamazin did recognize Silk; and Tamazin also knew Silk's father--rather well, apparently. (KM 253-261)
The Malloreans begin marching on Rak Cthaka, which, were traditional Murgo rules-of-war followed, would be lost. Garion suggests sending the troops by sea (it's what the Alorns do--but not, apparently, what Murgos do, even if it is logical). And for the first time, Urgit stands up to his generals, and orders one to go down to a barracks, and order the troops to board the boats in the harbor--on penalty of losing his head immediately. (KM 272-277)
Oskatat recognizes Silk as "Prince Kheldar of Drasnia, the most notorious spy in the entire world." Urgit remembers that Kheldar is also an assassin, which nearly sets off some major unpleasantness. Sadi points out that they don't really have any business in Rak Urga; just give us the ship, we'll deliver your Dagashi to Zakath's headquarters, and be on our way. Tamazin agrees most emphatically--a bit too much so, in fact. It turns out that Kheldar's father visited Rak Goska when Kheldar was about 8--40 years ago. Urgit is 39. And Urgit and Silk bear a rather striking resemblance to each other. You draw the conclusion... (KM 278-290)
Belgarath assumes an attitude of authority and inadvertently outs himself when Tamazin finally recognizes Polgara. He's about to insist that Tamazin and Urgit accompany them on their trip, but Prala puts her foot down on hearing the weather conditions around the south end of the Urga Peninsula--Tamazin is too frail to survive the trip. Urgit and Prala do accompany them, however. (KM 291-296)
Agachak, Chabat, and Kabach the Dagashi meet them at the harbor. Well, not Kabach--as he was apparently killed en route to Rak Urga, and replaced by Harakan. Harakan accuses Garion of being Belgarion of Riva; Silk accuses Harakan of being a Mallorean Grolim. (Which they both are, of course.) Urgit suggests trial-by-combat to solve the situation--Harakan is no match for a very-pissed-off Garion in a purely physical duel, and thus is forced to resort to sorcery to save his own life. Agachak takes off after Harakan. Garion barely restrains himself from throwing Urgit out into the bay. Chabat attempts to escort the Companions back to the Temple (likely with some interesting plans for Sadi), but Urgit puts his foot down. At that point, Chabat raises a demon, despite repeated warnings from Polgara that such an act endangered her own soul. When the demon breaks free of Chabat's control, Polgara is forced to send Chabat to Hell (literally) with the demon to prevent the demon from returning of its own volition. (KM 297-315)
The Companions, Urgit, and Prala depart for Rak Cthaka. Urgit and Silk swap childhood stories, and Silk introduces his brother to the Alorn side of his heritage (meaning that they get drunk together). Durnik and Toth indulge in sea-fishing. Garion gives Urgit a little advice on how to handle being the king. Liselle starts making friends with Zith. (KM 319-336)
The Murgo ship carrying the Companions encounters a squadron of Mallorean ships, and is forced to take a detour up toward the Gorand Sea. In an attempt to lose their pursuers, they try to get into a small cove just inside the Sea, but instead, the ship crashes on a reef in the center of the canal. Garion, Durnik, and Belgarath use sorcery to lift the ship off the reef and beach it; the ship is pretty much shot when they're done. They rescue their horses from the hold, then chase off the sailors (with a convincing illusion of Hettar, Barak, and Mandorallen, courtesy of Polgara). (KM 343-364)

5381
The Companions find shelter after their shipwreck--which turns out to be one of the places Eriond lived while he was with Zedar. They retrieve what supplies they can from the ship, and augment it the next day when Garion, Belgarath, and Polgara go hunting (as wolves). (KM 365-376)
A burning village announces that the Malloreans aren't really out to take Rak Cthaka--they're out to lure the troops from Rak Urga and Rak Morcth into a battle where the Malloreans have an advantage. Urgit convinces Belgarath to let him go to warn his troops. He departs, accompanied by Prala, but not before he crosses swords with Garion (for luck) and the Orb turns the rubies on his sword hilt to sapphires. (KM 377-379)
The Companions take shelter at a burned-out Murgo farmstead. Unfortunately, the farm has already been visited by Mallorean deserters, who impaled the farm's residents. (KM 380-382)
A conversation with an expatriate Sendar who's on the run from the advancing Mallorean army coming out of Gorut tells them that the killing has stirred up the Raveners (ghouls). (KM 382-386)
A group of Mallorean deserters cross Garion's path. A mistake, really. A big mistake. Garion takes out all eight of them in very short order, and takes their horses (they've been short of pack animals since the shipwreck). They reach the Great Southern Forest the next day (which is extremely foggy). (KM 386-392)
Toth gives them directions through the woods to a point on the coast near the Isle of Verkat, their current destination. They are attacked along the way by a Grolim and his hirelings, but manage to kill or drive off all the attackers. The Grolim reveals that he's attacked at Agachak's behest. They continue on almost immediately at Sadi's insistence--the Raveners, he says, are not just a ghost story. The Raveners prove that when they hunt down the survivors of the attack and eat them--alive, as they don't make any distinction between the dead and the living in their current condition. Working in teams, Garion, Durnik, Belgarath, and Polgara resort to sorcery to keep the party safe from the Raveners, until they ultimately come out of the forest near the coast. The Raveners turn back--evidently they fear the ocean. The Companions are met by a sprite-driven ship, which takes them to Verkat. (KM 393-414)
Vard, an elder of a village of Dals on the Isle of Verkat, welcomes them. He's been expecting them--the Book of the Heavens (i.e., the Prophecy) told the Dals that the Companions would be there eventually. Garion locates Zandramas' trail about a league to the south of the village. (KM 415-420)
Toth disappears, and Garion and Silk go out looking for him. They find him in the midst of a procession that ultimately goes to a clearing in the woods near the village. The villagers summon Cyradis, who tells them (over Vard's reservations) to give Belgarath a copy of The Book of Ages--a part of the Mallorean Gospels of Kell. Belgarath is rather ecstatic when they tell him; he spends all night reading after Toth brings him the book. After reading, Belgarath understands a great deal more about what's going on. Cyradis, it seems, has to make a choice between the Light and the Dark--whichever she chooses will prevail until the end of the universe. (KM 423-431)
Vard brings the Companions word that the Malloreans have begun patrolling the coastline and have sent out patrols into the island's interior, one of which will be at the village shortly. They pack up and head into the woods, encountering a seeress and a mad sorcerer (who picked up the art by pure chance). They ultimately hide in a large thicket in an obscure ravine. Their hiding place nearly works, until Cyradis appears and summons Toth (who carries Ce'Nedra out of the thicket). The captain of the patrol informs them that they're being taken into custody on the orders of his Imperial Majesty, Zakath, Emperor of Mallorea, who awaits their arrival at Rak Hagga. (KM 431-454)
General Atesca, the Mallorean military governor of the Isle of Verkat, takes the Companions to Rak Hagga. Ce'Nedra falls ill along the way. When she goes bonkers, they realize that something's really not right. Sadi gives her a fairly strong dosage of oret, which puts her to sleep. Atesca speeds up the pace of travel. (DLK 11-23)
They arrive at Rak Hagga. Ce'Nedra is taken to a room, accompanied by Polgara, while the rest of them are given an immediate audience with Zakath. (Brador, Zakath's Chief of the Bureau of Internal Affairs, is not--yet--though Atesca promises to do what he can.) Zakath proves to be a polite, cultured man (on the surface)--he's still a politician, and is subtly probing his guests. When he's finished, they're conducted to quarters in the women's section of the house. (DLK 25-34)
Polgara and Andel (Zakath's personal physician--and a Dal) discover the cause of Ce'Nedra's mysterious illness: another mind is attempting to subdue her will to its own. Polgara forces the other mind to reveal itself as Zandramas, then expels Zandramas from Ce'Nedra's mind, and also learns that Zandramas is in the House of Torak at Ashaba. (DLK 35-39)
Zakath and Garion have a midnight talk on various topics--what really happened at Cthol Mishrak, a little bit of recent Mallorean history (including the current religious turmoil caused by Urvon's proclaiming himself the new God of Angarak, and the Grolim priestess Zandramas proclaiming the coming of the new God--not Urvon, of course). Following orders from the Purpose, Garion also uses the Orb to show Zakath that Urgit is not Taur Urgas' son, and thus, that his vengeance is already complete--even if he didn't do it himself. (DLK 39-49)
Brador, the Chief of the Bureau of Internal Affairs, comes to see Garion after being unable to get an appointment to see the Emperor. A man calling himself Mengha emerged from the woods near Calida in Jenno (in Mallorea, obviously), calling for the city's surrender. When the city refused, Mengha summoned an army of demons (note that Torak had taken steps to make this, if not impossible, then very, very dangerous for the summoner). Zandramas' and Urvon's minions are also trying to raise demons. Garion immediately takes Brador to see Belgarath, and the three of them bully their way in to Zakath's audience chamber. (DLK 52-57)
While Brador is delivering his report of demons to an incredulous Zakath, the Emperor has a fit--spasms, frothing, and the like. Garion gets both Polgara and Sadi (there's a peculiar smell near Zakath); Sadi identifies the smell as being characteristic of poisoning with 'thalot', a slow-acting (but always deadly) Nyissan poison. They take the Emperor to his quarters. (DLK 57-60)
On hearing that no known antidote exists for the effects of thalot poisoning, Andel summons (who else?) Cyradis, who informs them that there is a cure--a flower somehow associated with a tall, dark-haired woman whose husband has much to do with horses. Garion, in fact, inadvertently created the cure--Adara's rose. Belgarath tampers with the natural order of things, using the seeds Polgara has, and creates a massive number of blooms in a very short time (less than 10 minutes). Zakath's clearing mind the next morning is an almost certain sign of recovery. (DLK 60-6 cool
Silk and Liselle begin looking into who might have poisoned Zakath; they rule out Urgit immediately, since poisoning is a contemptible way to solve political differences--except in Nyissa, where it's expected. A few days later, after removing Zith from the middle of Zakath's kittens (again), Liselle tells him who did it--a certain Grolim with all-white eyes, who's in the service of Zandramas, who's in Mallorea, which is where Garion has been trying to get Zakath to let them go. Zakath finds that very convenient; this is the last straw for Garion, who proceeds to blow out the two-foot-thick stone wall of Zakath's bedroom to show the Emperor just how impolite he could be in getting transport to Mallorea. They go to see Belgarath. Zakath learns what's really been going on. (DLK 69-84)
"We wouldn't want the Rivan King to get really angry, now would we? There are so many breakable things about--windows, walls, houses, the city of Rak Hagga--that sort of thing." --Liselle (DLK 79)
Zakath doesn't believe it, but agrees to believe it if Cyradis confirms it--an old Grolim order required that the proclamations of the Seers of Kell be written down, in order to discredit the Seers; not one prediction has proven incorrect. In addition, a Seer's truthfulness is legendary. Cyradis not only confirms what they've been telling him, but adds that he has a part to play as well. She also lets them know (in passing) that Mengha is a Grolim. (DLK 85-91)
Zakath decides it's time to return to Mal Zeth. They travel to Rak Hagga's seaport (not actually anywhere near the city), then take ship. Durnik and Toth make up, and spend most of the trip fishing. Zakath proves to be a changed man (at least on the surface), largely because he's sleeping and (for once in the last 30 years) content (largely because Cyradis has plans for him). He and Garion become friends. They eventually land at Mal Gemila and ride inland toward Mal Zeth. (DLK 93-105)
Ce'Nedra finally gets to deliver a classic Queen Victoria line as they approach the valley where Mal Zeth is located. It turns out that they are still a half day ride from the Imperial Palace (yes, Mal Zeth is that big). Zakath lets it slip along the way that his motives in bringing the Companions to his city aren't entirely above-board. They eventually arrive at the Palace. (DLK 106-116)
"We are not amused..." --Ce'Nedra (DLK 105)
"You wouldn't be able to move them."
"What?"
"The gates. They're much too heavy to steal."
"Shut up, Silk." --Silk and Ce'Nedra on seeing the golden gates of the Imperial Palace (DLK 116)
The Companions are taken to their rooms in the east wing to freshen up before dinner. They also have a council of "war". Zandramas, they know, was at Ashaba, looking for something. They intend to go there, but can't without knowing exactly what's going on in Mallorea. Silk, Liselle, and Sadi unleash their collective genius for intrigue toward that end. (DLK 120-126)
Dinner proves to be an informal affair--with no more than two or three hundred guests. The meeting to discuss the demons in Karanda begins the next morning. Belgarath extrapolates a profile of Mengha from what's known about him. He also concludes that Mengha must have somehow gotten a Demon Lord under control, and that it was raising the armies of lesser demons. Mengha's armies are in fact a very great threat, even without the demons, since the Karands still tend to be demon-worshippers (even after centuries under Torak's Grolims), and Mengha's emissaries are stirring up those sentiments. Zakath decides that nobody is leaving until the army returns from Cthol Murgos to deal with Mengha. (DLK 126-145)  

[Gwyndara]

Fith age continued

5381
Garion and Silk get a report on what's really going on in Mallorea from Dolmar, Silk's factor in Mal Zeth. Silk plots to tie up the bean crop (since the army will need to eat). Dolmar also describes Mengha's Demon Lord--and tells of the rumors that say he's named Nahaz (the closest being to a God for the Karands). The effects of Sadi's intrigues come to light (he's got that little red case, you remember...). Garion suggests that Silk, Liselle, and Sadi go to work on devising a plan to get the Companions out of Mal Zeth--a plan on the scale of open warfare in the Imperial Palace. (DLK 146-16 cool
Yarblek and Vella arrive in Mal Zeth. They are accompanied by Feldegast, a man of questionable background (and even more questionable legality) who is an entertainer who wants nothing more than to demonstrate a bit o' his unspeakable talent, don't ya know? (Interestingly enough, when he makes the mistake of drinking from Vella's flask of othlass, he almost appears to be deformed.) Yarblek has a bit more information than Dolmar had; Mengha's Karands control all of northern Karanda, largely due to their Demonic allies (and said allies' method of feeding). Feldegast managed to uncover the fact that there are a lot of messengers on the road between Calida (Mengha) and Mal Yaska (Urvon). (DLK 181-190)
Garion, Silk, Liselle, and Sadi meet to discuss possible means of inciting a riot within the Palace. Baron Vasca (head of the Bureau of Commerce) is attempting to absorb the Bureau of Military Procurement. Garion suggests offering the services of Sadi's bandits (who just brought a shipment of 'agricultural products' to Mal Zeth) to Vasca to hold off the men the colonels in charge of Military Procurement are going to send to arrest him (well, sort of)--with the idea that anyone hearing fighting in the halls (mainly the already paranoid nobility and petty monarchy of Mallorea) would believe is directed at them. Sadi's part is to offer the troops and perk Vasca's courage with something from his little red case. The whole thing should go down in about three or four days. (DLK 192-195)
The Star of Jarot lands at the port of Mal Gemila. One sailor, Balsca, steals the captain's cache of valuables, evades a press gang, and heads inland. He sells his former captain's stuff, for both money and more landlubberish clothing. Some of the money goes to pay for his... entertainment, a young (and very sick) woman named Elowanda. Who was dead by the time he woke up the next morning. To evade the authorities (who would certainly want to talk with him in connection with her death) and his captain (who wouldn't bother with the authorities), he heads to Mal Zeth, buying transport with a teamster bound that way. Unfortunately, he has a rather nasty form of a rather nasty disease--the plague, to be specific. The disease begins to spread among the citizens of Mal Zeth. (DLK 196-207)
Zakath orders the palace sealed. After hearing a description of the symptoms, Polgara is able to diagnose the disease as one of the rarer types of the plague. Her recommendation is seal the city, and take steps to reduce the spread of the disease, since--if they're lucky--only half of the population of Mal Zeth will die. The plague produces a complication, as well, since the little conflagration that Garion and his co-conspirators have been working on is likely to go off any time now, and there's no way to stop it. So they use it anyway, especially once Cyradis shows up to tell them they have a week to get to Ashaba. The path leads them through a tunnel in their wing of the palace, along the city streets for a short time, then back through another tunnel to outside the walls. (DLK 207-229)
The Companions head for Ashaba, dealing with several petty distractions along the way (some enterprising peasants who have made an Imperial highway a toll road, a self-important Imperial Army officer who's turning everyone back who can't prove they didn't come from Mal Zeth, and Vella's dancing the night before Yarblek heads for a coastal port). They encounter a Mallorean bureaucrat who had been stationed at Akkad--well within Mengha's territory--who tells them that the Grolims in Venna (the Mallorean province where the Church holds absolute sway) are basically in a state of civil war--they ask you which God you worship, and the wrong answer is fatal. Dual sacrifices are being held, one to Torak, one to the New God. (DLK 233-253)
After blackmailing a ferry operator near Mal Rakuth, they cross into Venna. Garion is recruited as the group's knight--since many of the Temple Guardsmen are knights, Garion has the necessary training from Mandorallen, and using sorcery to unhorse the Guardsmen would attract attention from the Chandim. In the process of making the necessary equipment, Durnik reveals that he knows how to transmute substances. They continue north, encountering one of the dual-altar ceremonies, and a knight whom Garion easily unhorses. Feldegast goes into Mal Yaska as they pass to gather some intelligence, reporting that Urvon isn't in the city, nor are the Chandim and Guardsmen apparently concerned about Mengha and his demons. (DLK 254-272)
The Companions swarm a border post between the provinces of Venna and Katakor, then take shelter that night in a smugglers' cave. They are besieged there by a demon whose master had turned it loose for hunting that night; Garion and Eriond combine to drive it off by using the Orb--which creates an earthquake and fills the night sky with blue fire. They immediately head for Ashaba; along the way, they encounter a Karandese religious ceremony at which some of the Hounds of Torak are present--but are not attempting to devour the participants. (DLK 273-290)
They reach the wasteland surrounding the House of Torak. ETA: Dark. ("A particularly unpleasant time to visit a haunted house," as Feldegast says.) They encounter a column of Temple Guardsmen and Karandese irregulars headed to Ashaba--more proof of an accommodation between Urvon and Mengha. They sneak past any watchers by wearing their dark green slavers' robes (and one of Polgara's blue gowns for Feldegast), take out the one guard who spots them, and head up to the second floor. As they pass the library, the Orb reacts strongly--Geran was in that room! They find footprints from both Geran and Zandramas... and the note that Zandramas left for Belgarath, thus proving conclusively that Zandramas is nowhere in the area. Garion, Silk, and Feldegast spy on the throne room in the basement through cracks in the floor. (DLK 291-316)
A ceremony is going on in the throne room--they're paying homage to Urvon as the new God of Angarak (Urvon, by this time, is absolutely nuts--not that he was much better before). Urvon is accompanied by a figure cloaked in black, who exudes an aura of pure evil. Urvon receives Lord Mengha--who turns out to be Harakan. Zandramas then enters the room, and informs Urvon that his days as the God of Angarak are numbered--and then she summons the Godslayer from upstairs (by triggering the "possession" she planted in Garion's head). Garion, being an Alorn, does something highly Alornish--he goes berserk, carving a path through the Grolims who are desperately trying to stop him from reaching Urvon. Eventually the Guardsmen begin driving Garion back. However, by that point the others have arrived from upstairs. Harakan threatens to kill everyone (to neutralize Garion), but then Liselle distracts him and throws Zith directly in his face. Zith, being a snake, does something serpentine--she bites Harakan, who is so startled that he just curls up and dies. Feldegast then decides that it's time to defuse the situation, and starts performing, juggling brightly colored balls in the air. Then he stands on one hand, juggling faster and faster until he's juggling balls of fire. Finally, he flips so that he's standing on his feet and drops his illusion, nearly startling Urvon back into sanity--since Feldegast is in fact Beldin. Nahaz intervenes, as he needs Urvon, but the combined force of the sorcerers present (and the Orb) forces him to retreat, taking Urvon with him. (DLK 317-330)
It's time for explanations (because Belgarath is demanding them from Garion). Garion's been having the same dream over and over since leaving Mal Zeth--which Zandramas used to plant the "possession," and hence all the events in the throne room. Except for what happened to Harakan, that is. Liselle, it turns out, was Hunter, and her orders were to kill the former Bear-cult leader. She simply took advantage of the opportunity when it arose. (It also turns out that she's a better liar than Silk.) Toth reluctantly summons Cyradis. She reveals that they have 9 months to get to the Place Which Is No More; she also tells them that the Event that had to happen at Ashaba was "the Huntress [finding] her prey and [bringing] him low in the House of Darkness" (i.e., Liselle killing Harakan). She also reveals that the Ashabine Oracles weren't mutilated only by Zandramas, but also by their author (Torak!). Two unaltered copies of the Ashabine Oracles exist; Nahaz has one, "the clubfooted one" has the other. Nahaz will not pose a problem. At the moment, he's busy attacking Zandramas' forces in Darshiva. (DLK 333-345)
Beldin leaves a very obvious trail for the Temple Guardsmen and Chandim to follow (an illusion of a 50-foot-high demon eating imaginary people, then stomping off into the woods will tend to do that). The Companions head off in a different direction, following the path taken by Zandramas and Geran. A few days later, they encounter a Karandese temple--with a woman in labor inside, showing that the rumors of demons mating with humans that they've heard are not rumors. They're forced to deal with this, as the half-demon child would be the worst of both worlds--all the power of a demon, but not subject to banishment. Fortunately, the demon is stillborn (unfortunately, its mother dies as well). They burn the temple to the ground as they leave. (DLK 350-369)
Continuing their pursuit of Geran and Zandramas, the Companions head toward Lake Karanda. They witness a failed demon-summoning (with the attendant consequences for the would-be summoner); Nahaz has told his demons not to respond to any summons, and they're obeying. Garion, Silk, and Belgarath deal with another magician--actually a Grolim--who "summons" Nahaz (illusionarily, that is). The illusion is so good, in fact, that this particular Grolim must have seen Nahaz. After stealing a boat, they decide to interrogate him, with the help of something from Sadi's little red case. His name is Arshag, of the Temple of Torak at Calida, and he was the Grolim who made the initial contact with Nahaz and put him in contact with Harakan. Nahaz, it seems, has his own agenda--because when he seizes the Sardion, both prophecies will cease to exist, and Nahaz will rule supreme. It was also Arshag who convinced several young Karandese women that receiving the "attentions" of the Demon Lord would be a supreme honor. For his efforts, Polgara curses him--nobody will ever again believe anything he says. (DLK 370-401)
Garion and Silk use their Karandese camouflage to track down Zandramas' landing point. She's following the main road leading east out of the city of Karand; she's evidently gathering Grolims from the Temples of Torak as she passes. But they've gained on her--they're three or four days' journey behind, and closing. (DLK 402-413)
The Orb reacts strongly to the aura left behind by the Sardion, letting the Companions know they're getting close to something significant. Something significant enough that Zandramas left a trap behind for them; Cyradis, however, leads them clear of the trap to a small grotto. Belgarath enters, then returns. The Sardion had been there for a long time, and now Belgarath will know when they're getting close again. Zandramas picks that moment to show herself. Ce'Nedra tries to kill her, and nearly gets herself killed--but then Poledra intervenes. Zandramas leaves in a huff. (DLK 414-422)

5381
Yarblek arrives back in the West and gives a report on what's been going on in Mallorea to Queen Porenn. There are also a number of private letters. Vella gives her message to Porenn verbally--specifically, the information that Urgit is actually Silk's half-brother. After reading the letters, Porenn calls a meeting of the Alorn Council (with Kail sitting in for Garion), and Drosta, Fulrach, Varana, Mandorallen, and Lelldorin (but not Korodullin, since he's not well enough to travel) as well. (SD 11-1 cool
Urgit refuses Agachak's command to go to Mallorea and the Place Which Is No More--suggesting that the Hierarch go to Thull Mardu and get King Nathel instead. (Agachak backs down from compelling Urgit when Urgit threatens him with Belgarath and half a bushel of arrows in the back.) (SD 18-25)
Zakath appears to be getting very lucky--the plague in Mal Zeth seems to be subsiding, with a less-than-expected death rate, and Mengha hasn't been seen in several weeks. Even Garion, who he thought had betrayed him, hadn't--as he's still in Mallorea, from what Brador can find out. Zakath assigns General Atesca the task of quelling the remaining rebellion in Mallorea and tracking Garion down. (SD 25-29)
Porenn takes charge of the meeting of the Alorn Council. The nations of the West decide to negotiate with Urgit as a means of distracting Zakath from pursuing Garion. Vella nearly guts Yarblek after finding out who Feldegast really was. (SD 29-37)
Zandramas has begun to change. (SD 37-3 cool
Garion has an encounter with the owner of a pig ("peg"), who gives them a fairly complete and accurate summary of what's going on in Voresebo. The Companions go through anyway. They bluff their way past one patrol, and unhorse several Temple Guardsmen; Garion rides down some Grolims who make the mistake of attempting to sacrifice some villagers while he's in the area. They start traveling at night when they reach the border of Rengel, since the groups of soldiers are bigger; Garion, Belgarath, and Polgara lead the way in their other forms. Until they run into a group of mercenaries Silk hired to guard his caravans on the routes through Karanda, that is. Travel becomes much easier after that. They head for Jarot. (SD 39-6 cool
Silk's factor at Jarot tells them that Naradas hired a ship headed for Melcena. Naradas remains his usual charming self (the longshoreman who saw him offers his cargo hook as a weapon). The boat was boarded by Naradas, a woman robed in black, and a little boy. The Sardion also went through Jarot at some point in the past. (SD 72-80)
Garion and Silk go out looking for where Zandramas landed with Geran. One of Brador's secret policemen in Melcena spots Silk. They also divert a Melcene businessman (a member of the Consortium) by letting him think he'll be able to swindle Silk blind. The Orb reacts near the north gate, indicating that Zandramas left that way. The Companions track Zandramas to the estate of Archduke Otrath, one of Zakath's distant relatives, and one well down in the succession. The Archduke left several days ago with some people from the mainland. His wife insists on seeing them, though. She's bombed. She does, however, give out some useful information--like the fact that a white-eyed man (guess who?) encouraged her husband's imperial ambitions, and was at the estate several days ago. (SD 81-115)
At Silk's request, Vetter sets his men to finding out where Zandramas and company went (and if possible, who took them there). Otrath, it turns out, is Zandramas' Angarak king--all you really need is a trace of royal blood, a coronation, and recognition by a major Grolim priest. Vetter lets drop that an alchemist at the university--a clubfooted man named Senji--can evidently turn brass into gold. Garion, Belgarath, and Beldin go to see him. (SD 116-127)
The three of them are forced to blow Senji's door in (they're usually blown out by the side-effects of alchemical experiments). Senji proves to be a sorcerer of modest gifts of about 4 millennia in age. He figures out who his visitors are in the process of telling them his story. The Orb also makes itself known. It leads the four men to the College of Comparative Theology, where Belgarath deals with a pompous doorman on the way to the library. It seems that there's a case in there where they used to keep Cthrag Sardius... before it was stolen. The Orb shatters the case. (SD 127-143)
Inconsistency notes: (1) Garion cites the year as 5379 on SD 134; this inconsistency may be due to errors in my timeline. I'll re-adjust things when I finish the timeline--if I can reconcile them. (2) In BtS, when Belgarath first meets Beldin, Beldin already knows the secret of sorcery; in SD, Beldin's first act of sorcery was the rage-fueled destruction of a tree (instead of Belgarath).
Senji tells them how the Sardion wound up at the University of Melcena, which ultimately leads to asking him if he knows where a copy of the Ashabine Oracles might be found. Senji does, in fact, know where a copy is. As he should, since he stole it. The Oracles explain quite a bit--including what "sacrifice" meant in the Prophecies of the Western Grolims. And where they can go to find out exactly what's meant by the Place Which Is No More--to wit, Kell, since the location is in the only true copy of the Mallorean Gospels. They also discover the message Torak left on the final page of the Ashabine Oracles. Addressed to Garion. Even Torak, it seems, knew how bad things would get if the Dark Prophecy won, and in one single moment of brutal honesty, told Garion about it. (SD 144-157)
By the time Garion, Beldin, and Belgarath return from visiting Senji, Vetter's men have found Captain Kadian, who took Zandramas to the mainland. His description leaves little doubt that he did, in fact, transport them to a beach near Selda in Peldane. Several crewmen were lost in putting them ashore--only the fog saved the ship from Zandramas' usual method of eliminating witnesses. After the captain gives Silk a rough chart showing where he put Zandramas ashore, the Companions depart immediately. Captain Kadian drops them as near as he can to where he put Zandramas. (SD 161-173)
The Companions head inland; since Zandramas is heading in the general direction of Kell, they continue to use the Orb to follow Geran's trail. They don't go far before they begin to encounter Urvon's forces, in addition to Zandramas'. They swing south to avoid Urvon's forces, and hopefully get clear of the impending confrontation between Urvon and Zandramas. At Durnik's suggestion, Belgarath uses his Will to start a number of fires to give both sides something to pay attention to. They encounter a Melcene bureaucrat who was hiding in the burnt-out ruins of a village; he tells them that Zandramas actually intends to crown Otrath as the "Emperor." The man is exhausted (and under the influence of a calming compound from Sadi's Little Red Box), but before they let him sleep, they manage to get Zandramas' life story out of him. Naradas was at one point the High Priest of Torak at the Temple of Torak at Hemil in Darshiva; Zandramas was about 16 at the time he gained power, and a very, very enthusiastic participant in the rite of sacrifice. (She evidently uncovered a passage in the Book of Torak that indicated that the rite should be performed nude. Naradas was quite... appreciative.) Shortly after Torak was killed, she wandered into the forest along the border of Likandia and vanished; she was sighted intermittently by travellers for a number of years. When she returned to Hemil, she spoke with Naradas, and from that point had supreme authority in the Temple. Her current goal--she's going to get married. To the New God of Angarak. Geran. Ce'Nedra is Not Happy. (SD 174-194)
As they continue west toward the Magan, they encounter evidence that the main battle between Zandramas and Urvon has already started--fires, deserters, etc. And demons. It appears that Zandramas was forced by Nahaz's presence to obtain demonic help of her own. (SD 194-209)
Javelin reports back from Rak Urga. The negotiations with the Murgo King are going fairly well, even if they have to beat the Mallorean agents over the head with what's going on occasionally. Yarblek reports that Drosta's up to something, and tells Porenn to send her agents to the One-Eyed Dog in the thieves' quarter of Yar Nadrak, instead of the palace. Agachak actually takes Urgit's suggestion, and persuades Nathel to accompany him to Mallorea. Barak, Hettar, Mandorallen, Relg, Lelldorin, and Barak's son Unrak meet at Vo Mimbre... to discuss a certainly illicit and quite possibly treasonous little plan to go after Garion. Unrak resolves their moral dilemma (i.e., if they could carry that out without disobeying not only their rulers, but the Gods) by pointing out that he's the protector of the heir to the Rivan Throne (Geran), and therefore, he must go to Mallorea to carry out that responsibility. Zakath sends Atesca to Ferra (in Peldane) to establish a forward base of operations for putting down the rebellions stirred up by Zandramas and Urvon; he also gets word of the negotiations between Urgit and the Alorns, but stops short of beginning a war on a third front. (SD 210-227)
A severe storm causes the Companions to take shelter in an abandoned farmhouse. They're disturbed by a knock at the door after the storm passes. The man at the door is a Grolim. A rather changed Grolim. He had served Torak without question; now he awaits the coming of the New God, the God intended for Angarak since the beginning. The Purpose disclaims responsibility for the Grolim, pointing out that it was the possibility of the new Purpose preparing the way in the event that Garion and friends succeed (of course, that means that somewhere a saintly old man is now a bloodthirsty maniac...) The old Grolim will be the prophet and the first Disciple of the New God--if the Child of Light is chosen. (SD 228-246)
That night, Garion catches sight of a long line of torches to the west. He goes wolf to investigate, and finds that it's a troop of elephant cavalry hired and led by Naradas. He brings the cavalry to meet Zandramas (actually her, not a projection). Shortly after she reveals that she's raised her own Demon Lord, Mordja, to counter Nahaz (an act that even surprises Naradas), she detects Garion's presence, changes to her other form (she's not a former priestess of the Dragon God for nothing), and heads for the farm where the Companions are still sleeping. Garion warns Polgara and runs back at top speed, arriving just in time to start using his big knife. With Poledra's help, he drives Zandramas off yet again (especially easy once Poledra points out to Zandramas just exactly how much she stands to lose by pushing the confrontation right now). (SD 253-260)
Poledra gives them some news: Otrath has, in fact, been crowned "Emperor" of Mallorea. Zakath is in the process of sealing off the west bank of the Magan from the northern end of the Dalasian Mountains to the jungles of Gandahar (so they'd better hurry). Agachak has landed at Finda in the Dalasian Protectorates; he's brought Nathel of Thulldom with him, instead of Urgit. And then Poledra has a little talk with Belgarath... (nothing bad, actually. In fact, quite good.) (SD 264-267)  

[Gwyndara]

The fith age continued

5381
The Companions reach the Magan and set about finding a way across (it's a bloody huge river, so no fording allowed). A fisherman (who thinks they're insane for going into Darshiva, where the demons are) tells them good luck... but there're no boats to be found for miles around, as the local population did the sensible thing and headed for Gandahar. What they ultimately find is a river barge that's already been sunk once, but is still sound. They haul it out and repair it, then cross the river... right into the waiting Mallorean Army. Their attempt to bluff their way past fails when General Atesca arrives. Zakath wishes to speak with them. (SD 268-291)
The Mallorean Army finishes building its encampment, and the Companions are transferred to a tent there. Zakath arrives around noon on the next day, announcing that they'll be headed back to Mal Zeth. Garion says they won't. Zakath leaves. The next morning, Beldin suggests that they goad Zakath, then summon Cyradis. Cyradis tells Zakath point-blank: Raise your hand against Garion or his companions, and you'll die--and so will your Empire. She also reveals to Zakath that he has a task to perform, and the first part of that is to journey to Kell with Garion, leaving behind the trappings of his power. Zakath isn't exactly happy, but realizes he has no other choice. The Empty One joins the Companions. (SD 294-309)
Polgara breaks what they're really doing to Zakath as gently as she can (given the time constraints). They tell Zakath why they went to Melcena (and why Zandramas did)--and Zakath is Not Pleased with his cousin Otrath. Then they have to tell Brador and Atesca that Zakath will be leaving with them, alone. To protect the Mallorean Army, Polgara, Belgarath, and Eriond speak with Aldur--His presence will keep both Nahaz and Mordja well away. Once they've arranged for Zakath to look shabby and dealt with a few other matters, they depart for Kell. They meet up with Beldin outside the encampment, where Zakath recognizes him as the man whose face is posted on every tree for six leagues around Mal Yaska. (SD 311-330)
They head into Darshiva, and almost immediately begin encountering both Urvon's and Zandramas' forces. Polgara gets rid of Urvon's Hounds by igniting a dormant volcano (prompting Beldin to wonder if maybe she might be pregnant, since the sorcery was unusually clumsy for her). The volcano even gets Zandramas' attention. They encounter a wolf and her puppy, and take them along. (SD 333-360)
Belgarath and Beldin come to a shared realization: there's no need to rush to get to Kell ahead of the Grolims because the Grolims can't go to Kell! At the time the Angaraks moved in to conquer Dalasia and convert the Dalasians to the worship of Torak, they also discovered Kell's significance, and attempted to destroy it. Since the Dals couldn't allow that, they put their wizards to work on the problem. The Dalasian wizards placed curses all around Kell, directed at the Grolims. Any Grolim who approaches Kell too closely is struck blind. This means, of course, that the Grolims will be positioning themselves to follow the Companions as they leave the area around Kell... (SD 370-375)
The Companions discover that they're in a fairly dangerous position: right between Zandramas' army (5 leagues behind), and Urvon's (6-8 leagues ahead). They decide to head south into Gandahar to get clear; Ce'Nedra "listens" in on the armies with Beldaran's amulet. She manages to pick up on the battle plans of both sides, and Belgarath discovers that the gorge where the Karands (Urvon's army) are planning an ambush is behind them; if they continue south, they can get completely free of the battle area. (SD 382-386)
Using Beldin as a guide, they manage to get to a trail that will eventually lead them to the main caravan route down into Dalasia... unfortunately, it leads right past the gorge where Urvon (and, more importantly, Nahaz) is setting up the ambush. They use the opportunity to make sure the battle's well underway before they leave the area (it's always a good idea to know which demon is going to be following, don't you think? smile . Nahaz's troops don't get to spring their ambush, though, because Mordja challenges Nahaz, who accepts. Unfortunately, they detect Garion--and the Orb. The two Demon Lords race each other to get to Garion, who draws his sword and waits. Durnik is the one who takes action, however. He literally sledgehammers Nahaz back to Hell, with a little help from Aldur (okay, a lot of help from Aldur). Mordja shows somewhat more intelligence than his demonic compatriot, and leaves voluntarily, rather than see what Aldur's newest disciple could do to him. (SD 386-406)
The Companions continue into Dalasia. They encounter a Grolim, and manage to squeeze confirmation of a few useful facts out of him. Rather than kill the priest, they leave him with some sheepherders when they drop back below the snowline. As it happens, another Grolim sent by Zandramas to attempt to get to Kell is there; he's been struck blind by the "curse," which he doesn't consider a curse at all, but a blessing. He doesn't see the world around him, true, but he does see the face of his God (not Torak). (SK 3-27)
They encounter another talkative old man who actually speaks wolfish. He gives them some advice--don't cut any trees, and don't kill anything in the forests around Kell, since doing so would profane a holy place of the Dals... and that would be a Bad Thing. The similarities between this old man and the one Garion, Silk, and Belgarath met in Gar og Nadrak years ago lead them to wonder if the repetitions of various events are signposts of a sort--an indication that they're approaching a fairly significant EVENT. Shortly thereafter, they encounter a group of Dals sent to guide them to Kell. (SK 27-3 cool
Boktor, Drasnia: The Alorn monarchs (Porenn, in particular) has discovered that Barak, along with his son and several companions, has vanished, presumably in Barak's ship. Porenn is concerned but not yet alarmed. Vella accompanies Yarblek back to Yar Nadrak, to see what Drosta is up to. (SK 39-42)
Sthiss Tor, Nyissa: Salmissra is growing annoyed with her present Chief Eunuch, Adiss, as he's not only incompetent, but a slob (and she's a snake, so she can taste him as well as smell him). She orders Adiss not to enter the throne room again unless he's bathed. She also wonders just exactly where Sadi is, now that she's not irritated because she's molting. (SK 42-43)
Rak Urga, Cthol Murgos: Alorn negotiations with the Murgo King continue. Javelin is the chief negotiator, but he's got the strong suspicion that he's being outmaneuvered, since the Murgo King is quite shrewd. The Alorns propose the placement of a Cherek fleet in the Sea of the East to keep the Malloreans in Mallorea. Urgit really throws Javelin off-balance with the comment about joining with Porenn to wish a mutual relative well. (SK 43-47)
Temple of Torak at Balasa, Mallorea: Zandramas has begun to realize just exactly what being the Child of Dark really means for her. She also receives word that Agachak has landed on the western coast of Dalasia and is heading for Kell. (SK 47-4 cool
The Sea of the East, near the Isle of Verkat: The Seabird rounds the southern tip of Cthol Murgos, and turns northeast for the run to Dal Zerba in Mallorea. (SK 48-50)
The Companions reach Kell. The sophistication of the city amazes everyone, but then, Kell is the oldest city in the world, having been continuously occupied since long before the cracking of the world. They are led to a house that was built especially for them at the beginning of the Third Age. (SK 51-56)
Several of the Companions start hearing a murmuring sound--Polgara, Garion, and Durnik can all hear it, but neither Silk nor Sadi can. Garion conducts an experiment, and it turns out that the people who can hear it are ones with some degree of 'talent.' The 'noise' isn't sorcery. They're also fairly sure that the Dals have enough concentrated power to deal with any threat from the Grolims, so there's really no need for the curse that protects Kell. Unless it isn't Kell that the curse protects. When Durnik finally realizes that Toth's sign language is a sham, and that the mute is communicating directly with Durnik's mind, this provides another clue. It seems that the curse is there to keep the Grolims from becoming curious about the murmuring--which is created by the Dal group mind. Polgara links with the group mind, but is asked to leave after a short time. (SK 56-65)
The Companions attempt to figure out where the Seers are--they are, after all, there to see Cyradis. Polgara learns that they're not in the city proper. Ce'Nedra and Liselle are able to get more specific--they're somewhere on the mountain. Polgara takes Beldin and Garion (just in case the Orb is needed), and the three of them turn into hawks and fly toward the mountain. They're beset by a sudden (unnatural) storm, which Garion subdues with the Orb, and then find a trail, which they follow until they run into Toth, who is blocking their way. Polgara persuades him to stand aside, and the four of them continue on to the Place of the Seers. (SK 66-76)
Cyradis greets them, revealing that the very act of discovering her whereabouts was a necessary task. She has Toth bring a large, black leather-bound book; they then return to the city below. Cyradis gives the book--a true copy of the Mallorean Gospels--to Belgarath, and he and Beldin immediately start pouring over it. Belgarath interrupts the conversation between the others a while later with a discovery: the Place Which Is No More is Korim. (SK 77-84)
The Companions, joined by Cyradis, set out for the island of Perivor, where the instructions Belgarath obtained from the Mallorean Gospels will be made clear. Zandramas, using a rather cruel deception, "persuades" Ce'Nedra to divulge the location of the Place Which Is No More. (Garion, needless to say, is Not Happy with Cyradis for failing to warn him about it... but it was a necessary event.) Ce'Nedra thinks she's found Geran, but what she's actually holding is a bundle of rags. (SK 85-94, 114-117)
Sthiss Tor, Nyissa: Salmissra dispenses with her Chief Eunuch after he once again enters the throne room without bathing. (SK 97-100)
Yar Nadrak, Gar og Nadrak: Yarblek and Vella arrive in the city to discover what Drosta is up to. They go to Drosta's favorite tavern, the One-Eyed Dog (the very origin of the term 'dive bar', apparently). They blackmail him into revealing that he's trying to get back on Zakath's good side, by allowing Brador's agents through to infiltrate the West. Oh, and there's this little matter of allowing Mallorean merchants to not pay Nadrak import duties, too. (SK 100-107)
Tol Honeth, Tolnedra: Anheg of Cherek arrives to discuss the disappearance of his cousin Barak, and several of Barak's friends. (As he put it, that group is "sort of like a natural disaster waiting to happen.") Anheg had brought Greldik along to help search for Barak, and Greldik was successful--a Tolnedran merchantman coming from Mallorea had seen Barak, heading for Mallorea. (SK 107-10 cool

5381
Southwestern Mallorea: Barak and friends arrive at the port of Dal Zerba, then head upriver to Dal Finda, checking with Silk's factors to see if anyone knows where he is. The next day, while heading downriver (since Silk's last known destination was Kell), they encounter Zandramas finishing off Agachak. They take King Nathel of Mishrak ac Thull with them (he's really just an overgrown child). (SK 108-113)
The Companions begin to encounter traps set for them by Zandramas, designed not to kill anyone, but to delay them so that she can get to Perivor first (and maybe get to Korim first, too). Zakath sends a message to the Imperial garrison commander at Lengha, who sends out troops and takes the Darshivan troops into custody. The Companions proceed to Lengha, where they are met by a ship. (The Dals arranged for the ship, of course--probably several eons ago.) (SK 118-123)
Cyradis gives Garion and Zakath two suits of Arendish-style full plate armor. They are to wear the armor with visors down at all times, save by Cyradis' leave, while they're on Perivor. When they land on Perivor, they discover a castle, looking as if it had been transplanted directly from Arendia. According to Cyradis, the island's peculiarities are a result of the shipwreck of a band of Arendish adventurers on the island who, realizing that getting home would not be possible, settled on the island. The island's population is thus a combination of Dal and Arend. (SK 123-129)
The castle is Vo Astellig, and the baron who resides there invites the Companions to shelter for the night--after all, they are on a quest. The baron also says that a kinsman of his just arrived from Dal Perivor, and that a wizard has enchanted the king (not that that would be a difficult task, since the king is evidently fairly dense) and, within a space of a few hours, has become the king's closest advisor. There is also a general truce in effect, since there is to be a tournament to determine who is best able to deal with a "recurrent problem" facing the island; Sir Astellig invites the Companions to accompany him to the tourney. (SK 129-136)
The Companions arrive at Dal Perivor. (Along the way, Garion figures out exactly who the wolf is. Nobody else does, though. It's also shown that the combination of Dal and Arend significantly improves certain irritating Arendish traits--like the tendency to make war at the drop of a hat.) They are introduced to the king, and to his new advisor, Erezel--or should I say Naradas? Naradas manages to delay the Companions for at least ten days, until the tournament. He has also already ransacked the library; however, he did not destroy the chart. The chart is simply not in the library. Garion and Zakath go out for a bit of jousting training. (SK 137-152)
The day of the tournament arrives. Garion makes the decision to cheat just a bit--neither his lance nor Zakath's will break, and both are surrounded by force fields. It eventually becomes apparent that Garion and Zakath are unbeatable, and the entirety of the uninjured knights of Perivor surrender to them. That's when Naradas steps in, revealing why the tournament had been held: the winner gets to go fight the dragon! (SK 152-15 cool
The Companions finally come up with a way to deal with Naradas. Well, Sadi does, anyway. It takes some time to put it into effect, however, and before Sadi can poison the man, he manages to bring word that the dragon is busily doing dragonish things to the countryside--burning farms, eating horses, that sort of thing. Garion, Zakath, Belgarath, and the wolf go to deal with it. Belgarath manages to get Cyradis to divulge that the dragon is the real dragon (i.e., not Zandramas), but is being influenced by some other spirit. Garion and Zakath manage to drive her off without injuring themselves. The ladies, needless to say, are unimpressed. (SK 159-182)
Naradas has a bowl of soup that's so good that he just curls up and dies. The king goes into mourning; however, because Zandramas broke the rules (and sent Naradas to get the chart, rather than getting it herself), Cyradis is allowed to help. Garion and Zakath persuade the king to come to the chapel at midnight; Cyradis contacts one of her people--a necromancer. The necromancer channels Naradas' spirit, thus revealing to the king who "Erezel" really was and what he was doing on Perivor. (SK 182-192)
Garion and Zakath are finally able to remove their visors, and reveal to the king of Perivor who they are. The king, by way of apology for allowing Naradas to influence him to delay the Companions (being part Dal, he does know what's going on), offers to have his ships search for the place of the meeting--anywhere from the shores of Ebal to the reef of (wait for it) Korim. The king shows his chart to Belgarath, and the last necessary event before the final meeting occurs. Belgarath and Beldin, from the king's description of the reef, decide that the meeting must be in the cave observed on the tallest peak. Garion learns of his last task as the Child of Light. Poledra finally reveals herself, and the last of the Companions, the Woman Who Watches, joins the group. (SK 192-20 cool
The Companions depart for Korim. Once they're at sea, the good-byes begin; everyone is convinced that he (or she) will be the one to die. They approach the reef as night falls. (SK 211-226)
Rak Urga, Cthol Murgos: Urgit discovers that Agachak is no longer in Cthol Murgos (he is apparently not yet aware that Zandramas has killed the Grolim); to pass word to Garion, he decides to make some saber-rattling noises near Rak Cthaka to get the Malloreans' attention--the idea being that they'll pass word back to their commanders, who'll tell the Emperor, who'll pass the information to Garion. It also just might be the reopening of diplomatic relations between Zakath and Urgit, and possibly the beginning of peace. (SK 227-230)
Greldik's ship, at sea: Anheg and Varana continue their pursuit of Barak and his friends. Anheg reveals that he's prepared to ram Barak's ship, if it's necessary to stop Barak. (SK 230-232)
Boktor, Drasnia: Porenn orders all the spies out of a wing of the palace. She confers with Yarblek and Vella, to learn what they found out in Yar Nadrak, and also to get him to pass disinformation back through his and Silk's factors regarding Silk's whereabouts. Vella announces that she wants Yarblek to sell her when the current crisis is over. (SK 232-236)
Mallorean Army enclave, Darshiva: Atesca and Brador decide to retake Darshiva and Peldane--and if their forces just happen to encounter the Emperor, well... (SK 236-23 cool
The Seabird, near Korim: The Prophecies have been conspiring to delay Barak so that he can't interfere with what's going to happen. At this point, it's a major storm that's arisen with no warning whatsoever. (SK 238-241)
Zandramas, as it happens, is the only significant representative of the Dark Prophecy present at Korim; the others with her are limited in number to match the force that the Companions can bring to bear. Beldin is there to offset the presence of "one who is beyond the prophecies." They decide to sneak up on Zandramas--the idea being that she knows that she can't beat the Companions to the Sardion, but is still trying, and if she looks around and doesn't see the Companions, then she just might get thrown off-balance when they actually do show up. Ce'Nedra asks for Garion's knife (she wants to kill Zandramas--veeeerrrry slowly). (SK 242-252)
Garion has some very bad nightmares--sort of a shadowy reflection of the dreams he had the night before his coronation. In the morning, he finds out that he was not the only one--everybody did. According to Cyradis, the nightmares--even though Garion had them before Cthol Mishrak, and Polgara and Belgarath admitted to having them before Vo Mimbre--are not a part of the usual repetitions. Instead, it's how the Child of Dark is so evenly balanced with the Child of Light--the Child of Light uses physical weapons, but the Child of Dark attacks the mind. The morning starts off with a nice thick (perfectly natural) fog. (SK 252-259)
The Companions land on Korim. Belgarath informs the captain of their vessel that, if they don't signal him by the following morning, he should return to Perivor, because they probably won't be coming back. Silk and Beldin scout ahead. Silk discovers that the peak is manmade--or at least, modified by humans. The peak is, in fact, where Torak spurned his father, and where the Angaraks had their original Temple. It's also one of the holiest places on the planet. The "cave" proves to be the entrance to the temple's inner sanctum. (SK 259-26 cool
The Companions' tactic of waiting seems to have paid off. About an hour or so after landing on Korim, Beldin goes out for a look--Zandramas is evidently swearing so well that she's impressed even him. She had about forty Grolim sorcerers with her, but five are now quite dead, having attempted to enter the temple. Zandramas herself looks quite the collection of fireflies. Both Geran and Archduke Otrath are present as well. They wait for the fog to clear off (and the Grolims to notice them). Zandramas, of course, isn't ready to concede that she can't evade the Prophecies, so she has her Grolims attack. Garion, Durnik, Toth, and Zakath descend to the floor of the ampitheatre, making short and very, very bloody work of their opponents. Zandramas' attempt to frighten them into insanity fails when Garion realizes that what he's seeing is the product of illusion, not delusion; Cyradis foils an attempt on her life by the remaining Grolims by invoking the same curse that lies on the lands around Kell. (The affected Grolims flee out to sea... without benefit of anything that can float.) (SK 269-280)
Cyradis (among others) is surprised by Zandramas' sudden acceptance of being required to submit to the Choice. She forces Mordja, who has possessed the body of the dragon, to emerge from the temple. Mordja is also armed with Cthrek Goru, the Blade of Shadows. Poledra forces Mordja to reveal his true purpose at Korim--he is an agent of the King of Hell, and intends to seize both the Orb and the Sardion and bear them back to his master... but unfortunately forgot that all choices made at Korim at this time are irrevocable, and therefore, that his only ally is not the King of Hell, but merely the dragon. (And his control of the dragon is tenuous.) While the others distract her, Garion leaps on the dragon's back and does his best to dig a hole between her shoulderblades. He's ultimately thrown clear of her, and that's when Toth closes in and begins chopping at the base of the dragon's throat, seriously threatening the dragon's life. Mordja, sensing his own danger, strikes with Cthrek Goru, killing Toth. Mordja is no match for Garion at that point, however, and the Rivan King kills both Demon Lord and dragon. (SK 280-28 cool
Cyradis, after recovering from the immediate shock of Toth's death, orders Garion and Zandramas into the grotto. Garion manages a small triumph by saying something that stings the Dark Spirit, rather than just Zandramas. Once in the grotto, Garion places himself between Zandramas and the Sardion--on the off chance that she tries something. Zandramas does, in fact, try something. She picks up Geran and advances on the Sardion... heading directly for the point of Garion's sword. Ce'Nedra places herself between Garion and Zandramas, evidently intending to force Garion to kill her as well, if he should be forced to kill Geran. It proves to be a trick--Ce'Nedra grabs Geran and flees back to Polgara, leaving Zandramas to submit to Cyradis' Choice, or be killed by either Garion or Poledra. Zandramas submits. (SK 288-29 cool
The time arrives for Garion and Zandramas to choose their successors. Zandramas has already made her choice--Geran. Garion, suspecting that Zandramas still has something up her sleeve, extracts every ounce of theatricality from the moment that he can (in an attempt to throw Zandramas off-balance), before ultimately choosing Eriond. (SK 299-303)
The moment of the Choice arrives. Zandramas' final ploy proves to be an attack on Cyradis herself; she's bombarding the Seeress with waves of indecision, hoping to prevent Cyradis from being able to choose--or better yet, to choose not to choose at all, and leave the whole thing in the hands of chance. Polgara acts, removing Cyradis' blindfold and leaving her as an ordinary human being. Zandramas then makes her fatal mistake... she presumes to choose for Cyradis. Which pisses Cyradis off. Which leads to Cyradis choosing Eriond. (SK 303-307)
Eriond begins to radiate Presence. And glow. (He's a God now, you see.) He entrusts Cyradis to Zakath, then asks Garion for the Orb. Eriond uses the Orb to destroy the Sardion. Zandramas is also destroyed, the substance that had formerly composed her body joining with the fragments of the Sardion in speeding back to the site of the original accident that started the whole thing as a sort of patch. The Fifth Age ends. (SK 307-310)
Note: DE & LE don't actually say that the Fifth Age ends at this point, of course... but it's the logical ending point. In any event, events after this point I'm going to place in the "Sixth Age".  

[Gwyndara]

The Sixth Age

5382
Toth is buried in the remains of the old Temple. Eriond changes the altar to white marble, and ensures that the flowers created by one or the other (possibly all) of the sorcerers present will not fade or wilt--ever. They seal off the Temple entrance as well. When they leave the Temple, they discover that the mask of Torak's face that was over the entrance has been replaced by one of Eriond's. (SK 311-316)
The Purpose returns to have a little chat with Garion. He's not quite the same; he's a part of the new awareness of the universe. He tells Garion that he'll definitely live to see the day when worship of Eriond is universal--which is what was intended from the beginning. And he congratulates Garion on his daughters--apparently he's going to have quite a few. (SK 316-321)
A number of people arrive at roughly the same time--showing the Purpose's passion for tying up loose ends. Unrak is chained--it seems that around noon or so, he turned into a bear (odd, that...); when unchained, Barak introduces him to Geran (after a fashion). Silk has great fun introducing the newcomers (Poledra, Sadi, Cyradis, and Zakath) to Garion's original companions who weren't permitted to make this trip (Barak, Hettar, Mandorallen, Lelldorin, and Relg). Oh--and, of course, there's the matter of introducing the new God of Angarak. And a backhanded marriage proposal to Liselle (who's probably going to get him later). (SK 321-327)
The Gods return. This means it's time for Poledra to leave; Belgarath, however, refuses to be separated from her again. Eriond decides to intervene at that point, and removes the condition to which Poledra had agreed when she accepted her task. This was what UL was trying to force him to do--to begin to learn when to prudently exercise his powers and authority over this world, and when to refrain. (SK 327-330)
On the trip back to Perivor, Ce'Nedra and Polgara are both seen vomiting over the leeward rail. In the morning. It takes Garion a bit to realize what that means. Anheg and Varana meet them at Perivor; this puts the kings of Cherek and Riva, and the emperors of Tolnedra and Mallorea in one place--and the result was a proposal for a worldwide peace treaty called the Accords of Dal Perivor. Zakath, Cyradis, Atesca, Brador and Eriond leave for Mal Zeth; Garion and the others board the Seabird for the trip back to the West. (SK 330-345)
The Seabird makes several stops. They first stop at Thull Mardu, to take Nathel home. Unrak was most insistent on that point. The second stop is Rak Urga, where Hettar actually behaves himself while they visit Urgit. Silk convinces his brother to attempt sending emissaries to Mal Zeth... and steals a march on Varana, commercially speaking, by signing an agreement with Urgit guaranteeing himself and Yarblek exclusive access to the Murgo market. The next stop is Sthiss Tor, where Sadi delivers a copy of the Accords to Salmissra--and regains his position as Chief Eunuch. (Issus appears to have gained a semiofficial position as the Queen's chief enforcer.) The Seabird's fourth stop is Tol Honeth, to drop off Varana (who still doesn't realize what Silk did to him). Their fifth stop is at Vo Mimbre, where Mandorallen educates a rash youth who insists (in short) that internal warfare is the only honorable condition for Arendia; the sixth and final is at Sendar. Garion, Geran, and Ce'Nedra accompany Hettar, Durnik, Polgara, Belgarath, Poledra, and Beldin back to Algaria. (SK 346-365)
The residents of the Vale settle back into more-or-less normal lives. Until Yarblek and Vella arrive, that is. Vella wants Yarblek to sell her--at once, and to Beldin. Vella ultimately goes for the price of an apple-sized, pink-tinged flawless diamond (which she figures ought to be about the right price). Beldin incinerates her papers; Vella then surrenders her daggers (symbolically saying that she no longer needs to defend herself) to Beldin. Beldin and Vella leave the Vale forever--not as humans, but as hawks. (SK 365-374)
Garion, Ce'Nedra, and Geran return to Riva. Late that autumn, after the Alorn Council has broken up, Garion receives a letter from Zakath. Atesca has been promoted to commander-in-chief of the armies of Mallorea (which angered the Angarak generals, but you can't please everybody). He is negotiating with Urgit, and is cutting the Dalasian Protectorates loose, believing that the Dals should be free to go their own way. An ancient old man, Pelath by name, has become Eriond's first disciple. Eriond announced himself quite loudly to the Mallorean Grolims at Mal Yaska--the altar is no longer blood-caked, the fires no longer burn in the inner sanctums of the Temples, and the discerning Grolim with good taste is wearing white this year. Zakath decided to spare his cousin Otrath, instead rewarding Otrath's wife by ordering him to set her up in a townhouse in Melcena and stay away from her. And speaking of wives, Cyradis is now Zakath's. Oh, and Zakath's cat was unfaithful again, so if Garion wants a kitten or two...
5382
Beldaran, Garion and Ce'Nedra's first daughter, is born. (SK 390, PtS 634)
Polgara and Durnik's twins are born. (SK 39 cool
End of The Malloreon
5382
Garion "persuades" Belgarath to write down his story. (BtS 1-12)
5383
A copy of Belgarath's book is delivered to Riva. When Ce'Nedra realizes that it isn't complete (Belgarath deliberately left off Polgara's parts of the story), she decides that it's time to visit Polgara. (BtS 639-644)
Garion and Ce'Nedra visit the cottage; this time, Ce'Nedra dragoons Polgara into telling her part of the story. (Poledra is very persuasive where her daughter is concerned.) (PtS 1-11)
5386
A copy of Polgara's book is delivered to Riva; Ce'Nedra reads it to Geran. (PtS 634-643)
"Point. Point and game."