Dryads and Mallorea, Part 23
Where were you? Polgara and Ce Nedra asked in unison as Belgarion entered.
Talking with Aldur Belgarion replied. Is Aldur here, then? Durnik asked,
totally surprised. Can t you sense his presence, Beldurnik? Belgarion
countered. No, I can t Durnik admitted, and don t call me Beldurnik! When
was the last time you used your Will? Belgarion asked. I don t remember the
last time Durnik said. Belgarion stared at Durnik.
Why haven t you used your talent? he asked. It s unnatural Durnik said.
Unnatural? Belgarion snapped, You re the last one to claim unnaturality about
anything, Man With Two Lives. Have you any idea what kind of effort it took to
bring you back from death? Your being alive is unnatural, Beldurnik, more
unnatural than anything else I ve heard of . The twins looked at their father.
Were you dead, Daddy? they asked in unison. Dead as a stone Durnik replied.
Then he looked at the Orb rather guiltily. No offence intended he said, just
a silly phrase . Very silly, Beldurnik Belgarion laughed, since this
particular stone is more alive than anything or anyone else I ve met . Durnik
sighed. Are you going to drop that Bel or not? he asked plaintively. No, I
don t think so Belgarion told him, Do you have any other reason not to use
your will?
I don t trust the result to be good enough if I do Durnik sighed. That s a
better reason, but to me it tells merely that you lack practise Belgarion
stated, You must learn to trust your mind . Must? Durnik repeated. Yes. It
is a must Belgarion said and looked around. Why don t you lit that candle
over there with your will? Durnik stared at him. If you insist, Belgarion
he said reluctantly. I do Belgarion said. Durnik looked at the candle, his
face went stern and he spoke a single word, litting the candle, and then he
collapsed.
Polgara was with him immediately. What happened? she asked, holding Durnik.
You know Belgarion said casually, he just exhausted himself . Polgara stared
at him. By litting a candle? Lack of using the Will weakens it, Aunt Pol .
How did you found that out? she asked. Aldur told me Belgarion replied and
took the Orb in his hand. Soon Durnik s strength was returned and he opened his
eyes. You collapsed of exhaustion Belgarion told him. Can you feel Aldur
now? Silently Durnik nodded. He s not very pleased with me, is he? he said
ruefully. You d better go see him, Beldurnik Belgarion told him. Durnik
sighed. Yes, Belgarion he replied and left.
Geran looked at his father. Will you tell your story now? he asked.. All
right, son Belgarion replied, and some empty parchments appeared. If you have
questions, write them down. Don t interrupt the story he said. And then
Belgarion begun to tell his story