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Barak gave him a peculiar look and bowed respectfully

"What's that all about?" Garion asked hi your crown, Garion," Polgara reminded him, "and your state robes All of thata bit abashed, "I forgot Let's go inside" He pulled open the door and led therin, Barak enfolded Polgara in a vast bear hug

"Barak," she said a trifle breathlessly, "you'd be much nicer at close quarters if you'd re smoked fish"

"I only had one," he told her

"That's usually enough" He turned then and put his bulky arms around Ce'Nedra's tiny shoulders and kissed her soundly

The little queen laughed and caught her crown in tiht, Lady Polgara," she said, "he definitely has a certain fragrance about hi for a drink"

"Did all the ale barrels on your ship run dry?" Polgara asked hi aboard the Seabird," Barak replied

"Oh?"

"I want ," she murmured

"It's a matter of principle," Barak said piously

"They do need their wits about the ship of his is not exactly what you'd call responsive"

Barak gave him a hurt look

Garion sent for ale, removed his crown and state robes with obvious relief, and invited them all to sit down

Once Barak had quenched his most immediate thirst, his expression beca sent et reports about the Bear-cult again"

"I thought they were all killed at Thull Mardu," Durnik said

"Grodeg's underlings were," Barak told hi wasn't the whole cult"

"I don't exactly follow you," Durnik said