Within about a month of joining up with Hettar, we had arrived at Camaar. Our journey was far from uneventful, however. We continuously felt as if we were being watched, but however hard we tried we could never even catch a glimpse of anybody. At one time, my sons and I became very uncomfortable as we settled down for the night, but there was no apparent reason for our unease.

Eventually, as we neared the Algarian/Sendarian border some of our watchers showed themselves. A small group of Algars launched an attack upon us. Hettar and his children immediately rode to meet them and a ferocious combat began. While the fight raged, a new group came from behind us. Their intent quickly became obvious - they were trying to kill Killane and Ontrose. They fired several volleys of arrows at my sons. I was absolutely incensed by their actions. I quickly summoned my will and the incoming arrows burst into flame. I made sure that no arrows would harm us, so the assassins drew swords and tried to get closer to us. As they did so, I summoned my will again and directed it at them, then I released it by shouting "Burn". Instantly they burst into flames and within minutes all that was left of them was a pile of ashes.

Within moments, the few ambushers that survived had turned and ran, but I was in no mood to allow them to get away. 'How dare they try to kill my sons?' I thought. My anger meant that I completely lost control of my reaction, and I regret to say that in attempting to stop their escape I went too far, killing both them and their horses. I can't really describe exactly what happened, but essentially I caused a very localised, highly intense earthquake which I didn't stop until the ground was completely broken up and our Algar attackers had been literally shaken to death.

Hettar rode up to me, but he after a brief glance he realised that speaking to me while I was in this sort of mood was not a good idea, so we travelled on in an uncomfortable silence. That night, after I had calmed down and we had set up camp Hettar quietly took me aside and asked "Did you have to do that Polgara? Those horses were in great pain when they died and it might have been better if we had somebody to question."

"I'm sorry, Hettar," I replied. "I shouldn't have done that to the horses. And you might be right that it would have been better to question them, but I completely lost my temper. I had to protect my sons."

"I understand that, but I still think you went too far."

"You're right. I did go too far, and I probably will the next time somebody tries to kill my children too. I will not permit anyone to harm them."

"Polgara, I understand your need to protect your children, but you can't afford to completely lose it like that. It's possible that if you'd been a bit more restrained we could have found out who wanted to kill your children. I had a look at their bodies before we left, but I could only get a few clues about who our attackers were."

Contritely (and yes father, I know that's a bit of a rareity) I responded "What did you manage to find?"

"Well, their horses came from Aldurford, I'm absolutely certain of that. And from their style of riding and fighting I'm reasonably sure that they came from near one of the Sendarian border clans rather than anywhere else. Have you done something to offend any of them recently?"

I searched my mind for any reason the Sendarian border clans would have had, but I couldn't come up with anything. I had always got on well with them. One particular clan has come to regard me as part of the extended family. "No," I replied.

"Then I'm at a loss as to why they attacked. The Sendarian clans have always been amongst the most peaceful in Algaria. If they were from Adara's clan I suppose it might have been something personal, but I am absolutely certain they weren't as I know most of her clan by sight and I didn't recognise any of our attackers. Our attackers carried nothing that identified them. It's almost like they were assassins, but I've never met a Sendarian clansman who would kill for pay."

"Thank you for that, Hettar. I really should have looked at them myself, but I just wasn't thinking clearly. And thank you for defending my children. Thank Algar and Islena for me too."

"There's no need to mention it. It was the right thing to do. Besides, It's been a while since I had a good fight anyway." Smiling to indicate that he was joking, Hettar left me to think about what had happened that day.

After the ambush, our journey was very uneventful. I wasn't complaining as it gave me another chance to enjoy travelling through what had once been my duchy. Eventually we arrived in Camaar where surprisingly we ran into another coincidence (I'm really going to have to have words with Garions friend. It's all very well to manipulate things, but does he have to be quite so blatant about it?). The very first inn we found contained an old acquaintance (some of my family would say friend, but I won't go quite that far).

"Hettar," the already half-drunk Captain Greldik called out as soon as he saw us. "Come and join me. Getting drunk on my own is fun, but it's better when I've got some company."

"I'm not that much of a drinker, Greldik," Hettar replied. "You know that."

"True, but I'm sure that will change eventually. Oh, where are my manners?" he asked with a belch. "Lady Polgara, how delightful it is to see you and your lovely children again."

"I wish I could say the same. You are already drunk, Greldik."

"True. It's the only way to be when you're on the shore. The sea's the place to be."

"Then perhaps you'll be interested in a little job. How would you like to transport us to Riva?"

"That sounds like a good idea. It's been a long time since I went there. When do you want to leave?"

"Tomorrow, I think. We'll all want to have a bath tonight."

"Then tomorrow I'll see you at the docks. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get back to the business of getting drunk."

To my surprise, Greldik was waiting for us in a partially sober condition. It seems that he had only drunk a tankard or two of ale that morning. Greldik, for all his faults, is probably the best seaman alive, so we made very good time to Riva. I decided not to inform anybody on the island that I was coming. I was still very annoyed with my father and only slightly less so with my husband, so I didn't want them to be too prepared for my arrival. In spite of this, Garion was waiting for us when we arrived. "Aunt Pol, what brings you here?" Garion asked.

"What do you think? I'm here because my father decided it would be a good idea to leave me a note telling him he'd come here."

"I see. Well, now I understand why grandfather didn't want to be here when grandmother told him you would be arriving soon. Durnik would have been here, but we didn't expect you to get here quite this soon so he is looking around the city to try and find you some more apology gifts. If you would all follow me, I'll take you to see everyone."

Hettar, his children, Ontrose, Killane and I followed Garion to his study where everybody had been gathered. I was about to give my father a piece of my mind when I saw to my shock somebody who could almost have been his twin seated nearby. It took me a few moments to realise who he was, but when I did I almost exploded. "What's he doing here?" I asked indignantly.

Well, that's the end of this update. In case you couldn't tell, Polgara was referring to Zedar. Tell me what you think.

The next chapter will probably be from Belgarath's point of view, but I might throw in another Silk chapter first. I can't say when it will be finished, but I hope it will be in the next month or so.