I woke up slowly, a bitter taste in my mouth and dull pain in both legs.  I stifled a heartfelt
groan so I wouldn't wake Xara, who was nestled peacefully next to me.  I tucked our blanket around
her before scratching my stiff back and shuffling towards the tree's exit.  I appeared outside, and
immediately sensed that something was wrong.

     "Xara!  Wake up!" I shouted at the tree behind me.

     Xara appeared almost instantly, her bow armed and drawn.

     "What is it, Belgarath?" demanded the small blonde girl.

     "There's been an attack!  We have to check the Queen!"

     Xara raced into the trees, gone in an instant.  I changed to Wolf and sprinted after her, my
hackles rising when I caught the strong stench of death in the air.  I didn't have to run very far to
reach the clearing where the Dryad Queen had faced the Murgos.  Dryad bodies lay everywhere,
bleeding and broken.  I shifted back to human and stood behind Xara, offering quiet support while
the Dryad girl wept bitterly over the bodies of her slain sisters.  I could sense the Grolim's use of
Will, I could follow him, but only if I left quickly.

     "I have to go, Xara."

     "Let me come with you, I want to avenge my sisters."

     "It's too dangerous.  There's a Grolim leading these butchers, I don't want you to get hurt
when I fight them."

     Overwhelmed with grief, Xara was too distraught to argue with me, she merely nodded and
fell to her knees next to the Dryad Queen's pale corpse.

     I stroked Xara's golden hair briefly, then turned Wolf and ran back into the forest.  The
Murgos' foul reek was still strong on the ground and foliage, I pounded through the tall trees, tongue
lolling out the left side of my mouth as I pursued my prey.
*****
 

     The Murgos had a good lead on me, but I ate up the miles in Wolf form.  By their scent, the
Murgos were heading northeast, probably towards the Eastern Caravan Route.  The Grolim leading
those Murgos had guts, they would be passing very close to the southern border of the Vale.  Night
fell, and I continued to run across the Tolnedran plain without rest.  My lungs burned, my legs
throbbed with exhaustion, but I didn't even think of stopping.  Ce'Nedra was in great danger, and I
was the only one who could save her.

     Just before dawn, I came across the Murgos' camp.  The campfire was still smoldering, and
the stink of unwashed Murgos and horses was heavy around the campsite.  I rested for a few
minutes, then loped off again, running towards the rising sun.

     I bared my teeth when I discovered the Murgo band just as they reached the caravan road.
There were five of them, all draped in dusty black cloaks and hoods.  I sprinted after them, panting
heavily, my claws tearing into the soft earth.  The Grolim sensed my approach, he yanked his horse
to a stop and began summoning his Will.  I headed straight for the Grolim, sliding past the other
panicked horses and jumping at my wide-eyed target.  I crashed into the Grolim and we both
tumbled to the ground.  I snarled viciously, snapping down with my jaws, ripping the Grolim's throat
open with a cruel, tearing sound.  The Grolim's lifeblood gushed over my gray muzzle.  I spun to
face the Murgos, who were staring at me in horror.  I didn't give them time to draw weapons, I
pounced on the closest Murgo, slashing with my claws, snapping and growling with my bloody
muzzle.  I tore open the paralyzed Murgo's chest with my claws, then hopped from his saddle to the
next, seizing the rider's head and twisting sharply, breaking the Murgo's neck with a loud crunch.
One Murgo turned his horse and fled for the nearby pass while the last soldier managed to unsheathe
his sword.  I hurled myself at the armed Murgo, and howled when his blade bit into my side.  I
shredded the Murgo's throat with my fangs, ripping out chunks of flesh as he screamed and flailed,
his sword lost in his panic.

     The dead Murgo's horse threw me and its master off before fleeing after the surviving Murgo
to the east.  I fell heavily, my left side on fire, blood drenching my coarse fur.  I transformed to
human, and clutched the bloody stain just below my ribs.  I focused my Will and closed the wound,
but still felt weak from blood loss.  I forgot my pain when I spotted Ce'Nedra sitting on the Grolim's
horse, the beast's reins slack in her tiny hands.

     "Ce'Nedra?" I asked, walking up to the young Queen.  "Are you alright?"

     "Grandfather?" murmured Ce'Nedra, the fog lifting from her large, green eyes.

     "Yes," I smiled, reaching up to help Ce'Nedra off the stamping horse.

     I calmed two of the horses with my Will so we would have transportation.  I don't think I
could have ran another foot if my life depended on it.  Ce'Nedra clung to my robes, shivering
violently.

     "He..he raped me," sobbed Ce'Nedra, tears glistening down her pale cheeks.

     Nothing I could say would take away Ce'Nedra's pain, so I just held her, whispering
soothingly into her bright red hair.

     "Can you ride?" I finally asked, pulling away from Ce'Nedra and tilting up her face by her
chin.

     "Yes, Grandfather," sniffled Ce'Nedra, wiping her puffy eyes.

     "Good girl," I smiled encouragingly, grasping one of the waiting horse's bridles and holding
the animal still while Ce'Nedra struggled onto the saddle.

     When Ce'Nedra was settled, I mounted my own horse and led the way into the mountains.
Yes, I could have taken Ce'Nedra straight to the Vale, but I wanted to avoid my brothers.  They
would want to tell Garion that Ce'Nedra was safe, but I wanted to wait for awhile, let Garion sweat
a bit.  The boy wouldn't be so careless with his wife again if he knew how it felt to lose her.  Call me
cruel if you want, but sometimes you have to teach your children rough lessons.

     The temperature dropped the higher we climbed into the mountains.  I stayed close to
Ce'Nedra, creating a shield of heat around her so she wouldn't freeze in her short, tattered shift.  It
was almost midnight when we reached my little hideout, a small cave with a short ledge before it.
We dismounted and led the horses inside, a tunnel at the back of the cave descended deep into the
mountain's heart.  We eventually emerged into a huge cave adorned with tall, thick pillars of natural
rock.  I took Ce'Nedra's horse and led both animals into a side chamber carpeted with patches of old
hay.  I invoked my Will and replaced the old hay with a thick carpet of new hay, the horses neighed
happily and started nibbling.

     I found Ce'Nedra wandering around the circumference of the cave.  She turned to face me
and smiled wanly.

     "Is there anything I can get you?  Whatever you want you can have!" I offered
magnanimously.

     "Could I have a hot bath?" asked Ce'Nedra tentatively.

     "Women," I sighed, rolling my eyes.  "Yes, let me see what I can do."

     I searched the adjoining caverns until I found a small, oval one that fit my needs.  I used my
Will to create a depression in the floor, then I filled it with clean, steaming water.

     "Your bath's ready!" I announced.

     Ce'Nedra rushed to the cave entrance, then smiled languidly when she saw the pool of hot
water.  I was somewhat startled when Ce'Nedra tugged her shift over her head and tossed it aside,
walking quickly to the pool's edge and testing the water with one tiny foot.  She shivered with
pleasure, slowly descending into the relaxing water.  I created towels and soap for the beautiful, little
Queen, then I left the foggy room so Ce'Nedra could bathe in privacy.

     Still feeling weak from my wound, I decided that a feast was in order.  I stood next to a long,
flat table of rock and created platters of roast duck, beef, a variety of vegetables, loaves of steaming
hot bread, butter, chocolate-covered pastries drenched in sweet sugar frosting, and flagons of rich,
red wine.  My stomach growled loudly after I was done.  I didn't wait for Ce'Nedra, I sat on a rock
and dug in like a starving wolf, cutting myself large portions of meat and washing it down with clay
mugs of wine.

     "Something smells wonderful," sighed Ce'Nedra, entering my 'dining' cave with a towel
wrapped around her torso.

     "Help yourself," I replied, munching on a piece of buttered bread.

     Ce'Nedra's appetite nearly matched mine.  She moaned with delight as she ate pastry after
pastry, just as I hoped she would.  We were both soon groaning and clutching our bellies, sated on
good food and wine.

     "Where do we sleep?" asked Ce'Nedra drowsily.

     "Over here," I said, leaving our meal's remains and walking to my old sleeping cave.  The
furs were still in place, stale with disuse.  I replaced the old furs with new ones, large, thick, brown
furs that would keep my young guest warm and snug.  I heated several stones to make the sleeping
cave even more comfortable for Ce'Nedra.  She shuffled up beside me, awed by the results of my
Will.

     "Will this do, your Majesty?" I inquired with a short bow.

     "Thank you, Grandfather!" cried Ce'Nedra, hugging me fiercely.

     I returned Ce'Nedra's embrace, my love for the little Queen swelled at that moment.

     "Good-night, Ce'Nedra," I murmured, planting a soft kiss on the top of Ce'Nedra's
gleaming red curls.

     Ce'Nedra released me reluctantly as I left her in the sleeping cave and walked across the
main chamber to a small ante-room.  I Willed more furs for myself, then heated some stones before
burying myself in black fur and allowing exhaustion to overwhelm me.

     "Grandfather?" whispered Ce'Nedra from the opening of my sleeping chamber.

     "What..what is it, Ce'Nedra?" I mumbled, blinking the sleep out of my eyes.

     "I don't want to be alone tonight," admitted the young woman in a tremulous voice.
Ce'Nedra crossed the small cave draped in one of the brown furs.  When she reached my side, she let
the fur fall from her shoulders, displaying her small, naked body.  While I watched her speechlessly,
Ce'Nedra slipped underneath my furs and snuggled close to me, her body pliant and warm next to
mine.

     "This isn't a good idea, Ce'Nedra," I stammered, rolling onto my side so I could look
directly at the girl.

     "I owe you my life, I trust you," murmured Ce'Nedra as she reached out and stroked my
whiskers.

     The smell of Ce'Nedra's hair wafted coyly into my nostrils.  She smelled clean, with a faint
hint of feminine musk that made my senses tingle.  Despite my conscious desire, I felt incredibly
aroused by Ce'Nedra lying next to me, my member started hardening with lust.  I tried to turn away
quickly, but the tip of my erection brushed against Ce'Nedra's thigh.

     "You want me?" asked Ce'Nedra softly, a gentle smile curving her attractive lips.  "You can
have me if you want, I give myself to you freely."

     "You're married to Garion, Ce'Nedra, you're still hurt over what he did, but this isn't the
answer."

     "But you still want to make love to me," prodded Ce'Nedra, one of her small hands
wrapping around my shaft and stroking back and forth slowly.

     "Ce'Nedra, stop!" I gasped, helpless as a cub while Ce'Nedra pressed closer to me, her small
breasts resting on my chest, her hand pumping faster around my aching spear.

     Grinning wickedly, Ce'Nedra disappeared beneath the thick furs.  I sighed when she
removed her wonderfully caressing hand, but I gasped sharply when I felt her small mouth swallow
my shaft, her tongue fondling and wet.  I rested on my back, arms at my sides, panting loudly while
Ce'Nedra sucked my member, her sensual lips caressing its entire length, her tongue licking across
the swelling tip.  I reflexively thrust up with my pelvis, my manhood throbbing inside Ce'Nedra's
narrow throat.  She sucked my member without pause, I ached to release my seed inside her, but I
restrained myself, using a technique that I learned during my time with the Marags.

     Sensing that 'my goblet was full', so to speak, Ce'Nedra slid up my stomach and re-emerged
below my beard.  She tugged my beard playfully, then slid up more, planting a long and very
exciting kiss upon my lips.  Ce'Nedra's soft breasts pressed against my flesh, her body lying atop
mine got me even more excited, I reached underneath the furs, stroked down her spine, and caressed
her young buttocks.

     "You can have me any way you want," whispered Ce'Nedra before she licked my mouth
with her tongue.

     Propriety be damned, Ce'Nedra had me by the short hairs and she knew it.  I threw off the
furs, positioned the little minx on her belly, and placed my crotch over her tiny ass.  My hunger
aroused, I licked Ce'Nedra's smooth back, then nuzzled the back of her neck while I slowly pushed
my shuddering member into the young woman's pussy.  Ce'Nedra giggled when I kissed the back of
her neck, but her giggles turned to lusty moans after I entered her.  I grabbed Ce'Nedra's small
wrists and stretched her arms in front of her, holding them down as I pumped into her ass again and
again.  Ce'Nedra's bunghole looked red and bruised, so I avoided it, I merely continued to thrust
slowly into her cunt, taking my time, making it as pleasurable for her as it was for me.  While
Ce'Nedra moaned softly, her small body writhing beneath mine, I moved my hands to her breasts,
squeezing them underneath her, fondling her little nipples.  Ce'Nedra gasped, she pushed her
buttocks onto my crotch, forced my shaft deeper inside her young belly.

     "Harder, Grandfather!  I need you in me!" groaned Ce'Nedra.  I was slightly shocked by her
use of 'Grandfather', but she seemed to become more aroused using it, she gyrated her small hips,
impaling her tight cunt onto my stiff manhood.  I pressed my face into Ce'Nedra's sweaty hair, her
fiery mane smelled wonderful, musky with feminine perfume.  I shoved faster into the young Queen,
my shaft plunging deep, expanding inside the girl's vaginal hole.  Ce'Nedra's buttocks slapped upon
my crotch, she was constantly panting, her milky skin was flushed with sensual ecstasy.  I couldn't
hold back any longer, I burst inside Ce'Nedra, gushing thick streams of my seed into her little
stomach.
 

     When the fever of lust left me, I fell back into the furs, struggling for breath.  Ce'Nedra
gathered more furs and draped them over our sweating bodies, then she nestled against my side, her
delicate hand caressing my stomach.

     "I don't want to go back, Grandfather.  Let me stay with you."

     Every shred of reason said that this was wrong.  Everything I had ever been taught by Aldur
told me with unescapable certainty that if I kept Ce'Nedra with me, the order of the universe would
be irrevocably changed, and once changed, could never be restored again.  I was the servant of a
god, nearly immortal, I had lived for thousands of years, but I was still a man, I still had passion, I
could still love, even though that love would be doomed to fail.  Ce'Nedra, the Rivan Queen, looked
up at me with huge, sparkling, green eyes.  Logic fled from the soft touch of her body, prophecy
meant nothing when her scent filled my nose, when the taste of her mouth lingered on my lips.
Torak was dead, the Orb was secure, and the remaining gods would not interfere, Ce'Nedra could
be mine, if I dared to take her.

     "We can never go back.  You'll have to wander the world with me for the rest of your life."

     "Garion doesn't love me, he proved that when he had sex with Polgara.  I don't care about
the world or prophecies.  You'll take care of me, you'll love me, I can see it in those stormy eyes."

     Ce'Nedra reminded me so much of Poledra at that moment, so full of love and passion,
defiant, ready to fight the world as long as we were together.  At that moment, I knew there would
be no going back.

     "Then we stay together and travel the world," I agreed, burying my hand in Ce'Nedra's
thick, riotous hair and kissing her with unrestrained desire.  I felt young again.
*****
 

     Morning arrived much too quickly.  Ce'Nedra and I made love again after we woke up, then
I re-filled the pool so we could both take a hot bath together before we left my hidden lair.  I Willed
a large breakfast because we were both starving, then we dressed in thick coats and packed the
horses with food and supplies.  I had a large cache of gold from my mining days, so I filled several
bags, enough to get us to Gar Og Nadrak.  I had made the mistake during our bath of mentioning the
customs of the Nadraks, specifically the infamous dancing practices of Nadrak women.  Ce'Nedra
insisted on learning how to dance like the Nadrak girls, and since I was in an agreeing mood after
our long, strenuous 'good morning', I submitted to her wishes.  When we began heading back
toward the surface, I cast a last, wistful glance at my cave.  The night had passed like a dream, now
we would find out if the dream turned into a nightmare.
***