“The policeman recognized me, but I suppose that’s only natural. Silk was going to kill him, but I said no.”“Why?” Beldin asked bluntly.“We were in the middle of a busy street for one thing. Killing somebody’s the sort of thing you ought to do in private, wouldn’t you say?”

“I was reading an old text on the exploits of Belgarath the Sorcerer, and I –“ Senji stopped, going very pale, turned, and gaped at Garion’s grandfather.“It’s a terrible letdown, isn’t it?” Beldin said. “We always told him he ought to try to look more impressive.”“You’re in no position to talk,” the old man said.“You’re the one with the earthshaking reputation.” Beldin shrugged. “I’m just a flunky. I’m along for comic relief.” “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you, Beldin?”“I haven’t had so much fun in years. Wait until I tell Pol.”“You keep your mouth shut, you hear me?”“Yes, O mighty Belgarath,” Beldin said mockingly.”

“Oh, well," Silk said wryly, "we might as well get it out into the open, I suppose. Gentlemen," he said, "I'm sure you all remember the Margravine Liselle, my fiancee.""Your fiancee?" Barak exclaimed in amazement."We all have to settle down sometime." Silk shrugged.They all gathered around to congratulate him. Velvet, however, did not look pleased."Was something the matter, dear?" Silk asked her, all innocence."Don't you think you've forgotten something, Kheldar?" she asked acidly."Not that I recall.""You neglected to ask me about this first.""Really? Did I actually forget that? You weren't planning to refuse, were you?""Of course not.""Well, then --""You haven't heard the last of this, Kheldar," she said ominously."I seem to be getting off to a bad start here," he observed."Very bad," she agreed.”

“I thought you said you were the one in charge!" Ce'Nedra exclaimed.I lied." Silk said. "It's a vice I have.”

“I'm hungry, Garion, and I don't think well when I'm hungry.""That might explain a lot," Beldin noted blandly. "We should have fed you more often when you were younger." "You can be terribly offensive sometimes, do you know that?""Why, yes, as a matter of fact I do.”

“I could insist that somebody take me to her so I can obey her orders.""I think you might choke on that one, Zakath," Silk said lightly. "Obey is a difficult concept for someone in your position.""He's an irritating little fellow, isn't he?" Zakath said to Garion."I've noticed.""Why, your Majesties," Velvet said, all wide-eyed innocence, "what a thing to suggest.""Well, isn't he?" Zakath said pointedly."Of course, but it's not nice to talk about it."Silk looked slightly offended. "Would you people like for me to go away so you can talk freely?""Oh, that won't be necessary, Kheldar," Velvet said with a dimpled smile.”

“Now do you see why war irritates me? It's always the same. A lot of people get killed, but in the end, the whole thing is settled at the conference table. The notion of having the conference first doesn't seem to occur to people.”