Pawn of Prophecy Chapter 4

This Chapter starts with some time passing and Garion getting a bit older. Just before his fourteenth birthday there was an accident. Garion and the other children had decided to build a raft. They took it out on the lake in turns. While Garion was out the bindings started to untie. Garion couldn't swim and almost drowned. Durring his splashing he seen the black figure on his horse again. Once on the shore he was gone. Garion had hit his head thrashing about since he couldn't swim and had passed out.

Awaking to Aunt Pol in his bedroom, Garion was quickly scolded about the dangers involved with his mishap. From then on he was always doing chores in the kitchen. Mostly scrubbing the pots clean. Whenever he could he would sneak off to play with his friends anyway. On one such night Zubrette asked about his birthmark on his right palm. Garion couldn't properly answer so later he asked Aunt Pol. She told him his father had the same mark. He touched Pols white streaked hair with that hand and felt something open in his mind. Aunt Pol said she would show him some other time.

Durring Erastride a Murgo and a few Thulls showed up at the Gate wanting to buy hams from Faldor. No business was to be done on Erastride so they joined the feast until the next day. While feasting, the Murgo made a mental note of Pol and asked about Garion by the false name he had given before. The next day they bought the hams and left. A new farmer Brill was brought on that winter. Garion didn't like him or the way he carried himself.

Zubrette was causing more problems flirting with all the boys. Garion gets caught kissing her by Pol and once again is scolded. Garion hardly ever seen Zubrette after that. Aunt Pol Made sure of it.

I felt this was a good setting up chapter. Filled in a lot of mundane details, but helped build more character reputations at the same time. I enjoyed the little play durring the festival. It showed how beliefs are different evewrywhere, but the passion people have for them remain the same. I did start to notice that Aunt Pol seems to be a little overprotective of Garion. With that mark on his hand she has good reason I think.

I was also wondering why the black figure didn't try to save him. Is it a figment of Garion's imagination? Why are the Thulls and Murgos looking for him? Overall this is a very well written chapter. Keeps me wanting to read more.

Next Chapter 5.

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