The Belgariad Part One Author:David Eddings The god Aldur created the Orb, imbued it with great powers, and used it to work w3onders. But Aldur's brother Torak stole the living jewel, provoking war among gods and men. And the war raged until Torak raised the Orb in fury and split the eart apart. — The Orb began to glow then with a blue fire that seared Torak's face, leaving him hideously s... more »carred and forever anguished. He led his people away to hide in darkness, and put the Orb in an iron chest -- not daring to look upon it, but unable to give it up.
Yet the Orb was not his to keep. Brave men found a way to regain the jewel, placing it in the care of the only man among them who was pure in his soul. Riva Iron-grip.
They feared that Torak would try to retake his treasure, but Aldur said, "So long as the Orb remains with the line of Riva Iron-grip, Torak shall not prevail." And so began the duty, and doom, of Riva's descendants.
This is the saga of the last of Riva's blood: Garion, unaware of his heritage and his destiny...born at a time when, once again, the Orb has been stolen, and the world stands on the brink of destruction.