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Pawn of Prophecy
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The Belgariad: Book 1

Pawn of Prophecy (1982) (edit title/settings)

by David Eddings (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

Before this first book of The Belgariad, the evil god Torak drove men and Gods to war. But Belgarath the Sorcerer led men to reclaim the Orb that protected men of the West. So long as it lay at Riva, the prophecy went, men would be safe. But Garion did not believe in such stories. Brought up... read more

Summary edit see section history

The book opens with a brief prologue concerning past events, beginning with the creation of the world by seven gods. One of the seven, Aldur, fashions an orb from stone and creates within it a living soul. This orb becomes known as the Orb of Aldur. One of the other gods, Torak, forcibly takes... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

The book opens with a brief prologue concerning past events, beginning with the creation of the world by seven gods. One of the seven, Aldur, fashions an orb from stone and creates within it a living soul. This orb becomes known as the Orb of Aldur. One of the other gods, Torak, forcibly takes the Orb from Aldur and tries to make the magical stone submit to his will. The Orb retaliates, burning and maiming Torak throughout the left side of his body, and burning out his left eye. The Orb of Aldur is later recovered by Belgarath the Sorcerer, King Cherek, and his children. Cherek's youngest son Riva, the only one without ill intent in soul, is able to hold the Orb without being consumed by its fire; thus all of his descendants are responsible for guarding the Orb, during which time Torak will not prevail and have dominion over the world.

The story then begins in earnest with descriptions of the experiences of a boy named Garion, who is being raised on a large, prosperous farm. It tells of his earliest memories in the kitchen of his Aunt Pol; and describes how he meets Durnik the blacksmith, Garion's early games and friends, and something of the romance between himself and local girl Zubrette. It also introduces his contact with "the Story-teller" who, unknown to Garion, happens to be Belgarath himself; Garion's vision of a man robed in black who casts no shadow, later known as Asharak; Chamdar; and a "dry voice" that speaks in his mind which appear to be separate from his own consciousness. The reader later discovers that this is the Voice of Prophecy, or "Necessity" which occasionally talks to Garion, and even takes action through him.

When the storyteller, also known as "Mister Wolf" (a name given early on by Garion), arrives with news of the theft of a mysterious object by a thief whom no-one will name, Mister Wolf and Aunt Pol leave Faldor's farm to chase him down, reluctantly allowing Durnik to accompany them. Garion, Aunt Pol, Durnik, and Mister Wolf are joined later by Silk/Kheldar, a Drasnian prince, spy, and thief, and by Barak, a Cherek warrior and Earl of Trellheim famous for his immense size, love of ale, and unmatched prowess in battle. Garion finds himself in the company of these diverse and mysterious companions, visiting several cities as Mister Wolf follows an invisible trail of the thing that was taken. Eventually he and his companions are arrested and taken to a meeting of monarchs.

After being introduced to the kings, Aunt Pol and Belgarath spend most of their time in council with the kings, leaving Garion more or less on his own. Garion begins to have doubts about his actual relation to Aunt Pol, whom he ultimately discovers is the 3000-year-old sorceress Polgara, and that Mister Wolf is her father, the 7000-year-old sorcerer Belgarath. This causes some tension between Garion and Pol until it is resolved at the end of the book.

While roaming in the palace at Val Alorn, Garion sees a green-cloaked man act suspiciously, but does not tell anyone of this. A few days pass and Barak decides to go wild boar hunting in the near by forests. Against Aunt Pol's advice, Garion also goes. While in the forest Garion chances on a meeting between the green cloaked man mentioned earlier and another man about trying to spy on the current meeting between the kings of Aloria. Before Garion can tell anyone he is attacked by a wild boar, luckily killing it but becoming injured and unconscious in the process.

Garion proves himself uniquely useful through all of this and shows his great potential by revealing to the Monarchs the presence of the green-cloaked spy, who is shown to be connected to a traitorous noble. Moments later, this noble and his men attack the castle from within, but are defeated. Garion himself is almost captured, but escapes. Later, he and the other protagonists leave again in search of the Orb, taking an Algarian prince named Hettar with them. As they leave, Garion learns that Polgara is the sister of his most distant female ancestor (identified in the prologue as Queen Beldaran, wife of Riva), justifying her claim to be his aunt. Having learned this, Garion embraces Belgarath as his grandfather and addresses him as such throughout later books.

Characters edit see section history

  • Garion: A young orphan who was raised by his Aunt Pol.
  • Aunt Pol: Garion's aunt.
  • Mister Wolf: A vagabond storyteller of Aunt Pol's acquaintance who visits Faldor's Farm occasionally.
  • Durnik: The smith at Faldor's Farm.
  • Silk: A spy, thief, acrobat, and generally dishonest person. Has a quick wit and sharp sense of humor. He is claustrophobic.
  • Barak: A large Cherek man and a fearsome fighter. Partial to ale.
  • King Anheg: King of the Chereks.
  • Brill: One of the workers on Faldor's farm.
  • Asharak: A Murgo.
  • Islena: Anheg's Queen.
  • Jarvik: A banished Earl from Cherek.
  • Captain Brendig: Captain in the Sendarian army.
  • Fulrach: King of Sendaria
  • Rundorig: Boyhood friend of Garion.
  • Hettar: Son of the King of Algaria.
  • Porenn: Wife of Rhodar the King of Drasnia.
  • Rhodar: King of Drasnia.
  • Layla: Wife of Fulrach, King of Sendaria.
  • Doroon: Boyhood friend of Garion.
  • Zubrette: A childhood friend of Garion. His first love.
  • Greldik: Cherek sea captain.
  • Torvik: Anheg's chief huntsman.
  • Merel: Wife of Barak.
  • Faldor: The farmer who runs the farm where Garion grew up.
  • Martje: Blind woman.
  • Kal Torak: King and God of the Angaraks.
  • Cralto: One of the older hands at Faldor's farm.
  • Anhelda: Faldor's daughter.
  • Eilbrig: Anhelda's husband.
  • Mingan: Tolnedran merchant.
  • Donia: Young maid.
  • Count Nilden: Chief butler to King Fulrich.
  • The Earl of Seline: A guest at Fulrach's banquet.
  • King Cho-Hag: King of the Algars.
  • Queen Silar: Cho-Hag's wife.
  • Brand: The Rivan warder.
  • Krendig: A Cherek ship builder.
  • Maidee: A young Cherek girl.
Show all 38 characters
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “"Prince Kheldar," King Fulrach said, "I don't wish your uncle any misfortune, but I think it might be very interesting if the crown of Drasnia just happened to fall to you." "Please, your Majesty," Silk said with feigned shock, "don't even suggest that." "Also a wife," the Earl of Seline said slyly, "The Prince definitely needs a wife." "That's even worse," Silk said with a shudder.”
    Earl of Seline, King Fulrach, Silk

Setting & Locations edit see section history

Show all 17 settings

Organizations edit see section history

  • Sendarians: The people of Sendaria. Sendarians are known for their good manners and practicality.
  • Arends: The people of Arendia. They are known for being brave but known for being slow witted.
  • Alorns: The people of Aloria. They worship Belar.
  • Nyissans: The people of Nyissa. They worship Issa.
  • Tolnedrans: The people of Tolnedra. They worship Nedra.
  • Marags: They worship Mara. They are thought to be an extinct race of people.
  • Angaraks: They worship Torak.
  • Murgos: The people of Cthol Murgos. They are Southern Angaraks.
  • Chereks: Alorns from Cherek. They are primarily sailors.
  • Drasnians: Alorns from Drasnia. They are known for their intelligence network.
  • Thulls: Angaraks from Mishrak ac Thull.
  • Algars: Alorns from Algaria. They are known as cattle herders.
  • Grolims: Priesthood of the Angaraks.
  • Nadraks: Angaraks who inhabit Gar og Nadrak.
  • Malloreans: Angaraks from Mallorea.
  • Ulgos: The people from Ulgoland. They worship UL.
Show all 16 organizations

First Sentence edit see section history

THE FIRST THING the boy Garion remembered was the kitchen at Faldor's farm.

Table of Contents edit see section history

PROLOGUE

Part One: Sendaria
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven

Part Two: Cherek
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

  • Game of Destiny: "Destiny" is constantly referred to as a game between the two prophecies, who are the "players." For example, the title of each book contains a chess term and a fantasy term.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 1 of 5 in The Belgariad. (standard series)

Followed by Queen of Sorcery.

This is book 1 of 13 in Garion Universe. (standard series)

Followed by Queen of Sorcery.

This is book 41 of 99 in National Public Radio's Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy. (authoritative list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. David Eddings (Author)

Other Contributors:

  1. Steve Stone (Cover Artist)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Country: United States
Publication Date: 1982
ISBN: 0-345-33551-1
Page Count: 258

Awards edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
  • Guardians of the West
  • King of the Murgos
  • Demon Lord of Karanda
  • Sorceress of Darshiva
  • The Seeress of Kell

Books with Additional Background Information edit see section history

   
  • Belgarath the Sorcerer
  • Polgara the Sorceress
  • The Rivan Codex

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