Demon Lord Of Karanda Read Online Free PDF

kneading his thigh. Although the Emperor himself wore the simplest of clothes, the guards lining the walls all wore steel breastplates deeply inlaid with gold.
    ‘My Emperor,’ General Atesca said with a deep bow, ‘I have the honor to present his Royal Majesty, King Belgarion of Riva.’
    Garion nodded briefly, and Zakath inclined his head in response. ‘Our meeting is long overdue, Belgarion,’ he said in a voice as dead as his eyes. ‘Your exploits have shaken the world.’
    ‘Yours have also made a certain impression, Zakath.’ Garion had decided even before he had left Rak Verkat that he would not perpetuate the absurdity of the Mallorean’s self-bestowed ‘Kal’.
    A faint smile touched Zakath’s lips. ‘Ah,’ he said in a tone which indicated that he saw through Garion’s attempt to be subtle. He nodded briefly to the others, and his attention finally fixed itself upon the rumpled, untidy form of Garion’s grandfather. ‘And of course you, sir, would be Belgarath,’ he noted. ‘I’m a bit surprised to find you so ordinary looking. The Grolims of Mallorea all agree that you’re a hundred feet tall—possibly two hundred—and that you have horns and a forked tail.’
    ‘I’m in disguise,’ Belgarath replied with aplomb.
    Zakath chuckled, though there was little amusement in that almost mechanical sound. Then he looked around with a faint frown. ‘I seem to note some absences,’ he said.
    ‘Queen Ce’Nedra fell ill during our journey, your Majesty,’ Atesca advised him. ‘Lady Polgara is attending her.’
    ‘Ill? Is it serious?’
    ‘It’s difficult to say at this point, your Imperial Majesty,’ Sadi replied unctuously, ‘but we have given her certain medications, and I have every confidence in Lady Polgara’s skill.’
    Zakath looked at Garion. ‘You should have sent word on ahead, Belgarion. I have a healer on my personal staff—a Dalasian woman with remarkable gifts. I’ll send her to the Queen’s chambers at once. Our first concern must be your wife’s health.’
    ‘Thank you,’ Garion replied with genuine gratitude.
    Zakath touched a bellpull and spoke briefly with the servant who responded immediately to his summons.
    ‘Please,’ the Emperor said then, ‘seat yourselves. I have no particular interest in ceremony.’
    As the guards hastily brought chairs for them, the cat sleeping in Zakath’s lap half opened her golden eyes and looked around at them. She rose to her paws, arched her back, and yawned. Then she jumped heavily to the floor with an audible grunt and waddled over to sniff at Eriond’s fingers. With a faintly amused look, Zakath watched his obviously pregnant cat make her matronly way across the carpet. ‘You’ll note that my cat has been unfaithful to me—again.’ He sighed in mock resignation. ‘It happens fairly frequently, I’m afraid, and she never seems to feel the slightest guilt about it.’
    The cat jumped up into Eriond’s lap, nestled down, and began to purr contentedly.
    ‘You’ve grown, boy,’ Zakath said to the young man. ‘Have they taught you how to talk as yet?’
    ‘I’ve picked up a few words, Zakath,’ Eriond said in his clear voice.
    ‘I know the rest of you—by reputation at least,’ Zakath said then. ‘Goodman Durnik and I met on the plains of Mishrak ac Thull, and of course I’ve heard of the Margravine Liselle of Drasnian Intelligence and of Prince Kheldar, who strives to become the richest man in the world.’
    Velvet’s graceful curtsy of acknowledgement was not quite so florid as Silk’s grandiose bow.
    ‘And here, of course,’ the Emperor continued, ‘is Sadi, Chief Eunuch in the palace of Queen Salmissra.’
    Sadi bowed with fluid grace. ‘I must say that your Majesty is remarkably well informed,’ he said in his contralto voice. ‘You have read us all like an open book.’
    ‘My chief of intelligence tries to keep me informed, Sadi. He may not be as gifted as the inestimable Javelin of Boktor, but he