Garion tells Lelldorin about his parents. Hettar arrives at Vo Wacune. Wolf explains that they are going in search of Zedar, a disciple of Aldurs who turned to Torak, who has stolen the Orb. He also explains the limitations of sorcery.

The party sets off and arrives at Lelldorin's uncle's home by nightfall. Lelldorin tells Garion of the plot to kill Korodullin which is being financed by a Murgo, Nachak. The dry voice which has always been in the back of Garion's mind takes over his body and explains to Lelldorin and his cousin the choas which ensues when a king is killed, and how the Murgos would like to see this.

Garion and Lelldorin discuss the plot to kill Korodullin. That night the group is ambushed and Garion is kidnapped but Barak rescues him. Durnik is consumed with guilt for having killed a man.

That night, unable to sleep, Garion sees Pol and Belgarath in their animal forms. The next day the party is stopped by Mimbrate knights. At a Tolnedran hostel Garion removes his amulet to bathe. Stopping at a serf village Lelldorin is horrified by what he sees. Garion sees that dark rider again but cannot identify him.

The party is attacked by Algroths in the Arendish forest. Lelldorin is injured but a Mimbrate knight, Mandorallen, comes to their rescue. A Grolim High Priest, Chamdar, appears and Garion feels he should recognise him. Belgarath sends him away.

The party comes across a war which thay find was orchestrated by a Grolim. Lelldorin is left behind to be cured. Lelldorin tells Garion to inform Korodullin of the plot to kill him and that Nachak is the Murgo ambassador at Vo Mimbre.

The party arrives at the Arendish Fair. Garion and Silk go trading. Not long after this a party of Murgos arrives led by Asharak. Garion notices Brill outside their tent and Wolf decides on subterfuge in an attempt to misdirect the Murgos. The party slip away under cover of night.

Garion ceases to recognise his friends and tires to escape. Pol breaks Chamdar's hold on his mind. Belgarath warns him he can never remove his amulet. Belgarath tells the tragic love story of Mandorallen and the Lady of Vo Ebor. The party travels to Vo Mimbre.

The party arrives at Vo Mimbre. Belgarath proves his identity by creating an apple tree. At Korodullin's court Belgarath and Korodullin retire into conference. Nachak arrives and claims Belgarath has slurred his good name. Garion reveals the details of the plot. Mandorallen champions his cause. Nachak's knights attack Mandorallen but Barak and Hettar come to his defence. Nachak tries to flee but Hettar kills him.

Garion is preyed upon by the Countess Vasrana who is searching for a husband. Whilst watching Mandorallen and Nerina together his prejudice against Mandorallen is shattered.

The party leaves Arendia and enters Tolnedra. A customs agent tells them of the current chaos in Tolnedra due to Ran Borunes old age and the subsequent scramble for the throne. Garion inadvertantly cures an insane monk from Mar Terrin.

The party witness Tolnedran politics in action. They discover Brill is searching for them and is telling everyone that Garion was Asharak's son and Asharak was offering a handsome reward for his return. Making a hasty exit the group stop in the forest to rest but are captured by soldiers while sleeping.

The prisoners are taken to the house of Count Dravor. The dazed count has no idea why they have been detained but his Nyissan servant Y'diss tells the party they are to be delivered to Salmissra. The group are locked in the dungeon but Silk releases them. The party escape, overhearing the Nyissan drugging his 'master'.

The party arrives at Tol Honeth. Barak tells Wolf that his cousin Grinneg can get them in to see Ran Borune with a minimum of fuss.

The group go to see Ran Borune. Initially he refuses to accept their identities and will not close his borders to the Murgos. His daughter, Ce'Nedra, makes a fiery entrance. A contingent of Murgos headed by Asharak arrives. Garion realises that Asharak and Chamdar are the same person.

Pol makes some purchases at the market. An acquaintance of Silks tells him that Asharak owns the Grand Duke Kador.

The party leaves Tol Honeth. On the road they meet a Master Jeebers and a Lady Sharrell. At Tol Borune, Lady Sharrell is revealed to be Princess Ce'Nedra, who tricked Jeebers into helping her run away. Jeebers escapes to try and save himself by telling all to the Borunes.

Dodging Tolnedran patrols the party reaches the Wood of the Dryads. Polgara sends Garion to bathe and Ce'Nedra soon joins him. They talk and Ce'Nedra askd Garion if he wants to kiss her but at that point they are disturbed by Durnik.

While returning to the tents Durnik, Garion and Ce'Nedra are attacked by mud-men. Polgara and Belgarath bring rain to wash them away, and discover they were sent by Salmissra

Garion is captured by Dryads while collecting firewood. The party is taken to see Queen Xantha. The Queens refuses to offer Ce'Nedra santuary, saying that she must honour the agreement made in the Accords of Vo Mimbre. They learn that the trail leads to Nyissa. Xantha tells them that Zeder had a small boy with him and Belgarath realises that that was how he stole the Orb.

Belgarath and Silk leave, arranging to meet with the others again in two weeks at Sthiss Tor. The rest of the party set off but are ambushed by legions under the command of the Grand Duke Kador who intends to kill Ce'Nedra. Asharak arrives and threatens to kill Garion unless Polgara comes with him. Garion burns him using sorcery, instructed by the dry voice. He is about to stop and heal Asharak out of pity but Polgara tells him that Asharak was the one who killed his parents and Garion kills him. Polgara calls him Belgarion in his mind but talls the others that she used Garion to kill Asharak. Garion knows this isn't true.

Garion and his companions meet Greldik who intends to take them to Sthiss Tor. Garion mopes and avoids Polgara. Ce'Nedra starts to teach Garion how to read and write.

The ship arrives in Sthiss Tor. Garion steadfastly refuses to use his power. Polgara goes to visit Droblek, the Drasnian ambassador but there is no word of Silk or Belgarath

Waiting on the ship, Garion, Barak and Mandorallen see a slave ship. An escaping slave jumps into the water and Garion tries to save him by moving him to the wharf. The man dies and Garion and Poldara have a blazing row which leaves Garion feeling shocked and ashamed.

Polgara goes to see a sick messanger who has brought a message from Silk and Belgarath. Ce'Nedra and Garion have a fight. Garion is kidnapped.

Garion awakens to find he is being dragged to Salmissra's palace. Sadi, the Chief Eunuch, gives him drugs to discover his identity and then takes him to Salmissra. Salmissra chooses Garion as her new consort. The old consort tries to stab Garion and Salmissra has him killed.

Garion is given more drugs, and then bathed and perfumed. An emissary from Ctuchik arrives and demands that Salmissra give Garion to him. Salmissra refuses and says she will only give Garion to Torak as a wedding present, she wants eternal life. The snake Maas senses the presence of the voice in Garions mind and attempts to remove his amulet. The dry voice focuses Garion's will and kills the snake.

Polgara, with Barak in his bear form, arrives to save Garion. The dry voice shows Garion how to burn Salmissra's poison out of his veins. Salmissra summons Issa, who raises Maas to discover the truth. He asks Polgara to spare Salmissra's life. Polgara turns Salmissra into a snake.