The book opens with a prologue, beginning with the creation of the world by seven gods. Aldur, oldest of the seven, fashions a stone orb and creates within it a "living soul". Torak, the most beautiful of the seven, attempts to seize the Orb from Aldur and subdue the Orb's intelligence; the Orb mutilates the left side of Torak's body. The Orb of Aldur is later recovered by Belgarath the Sorcerer, King Cherek, and Cherek's sons. Riva, Cherek's youngest son, is found to be able to hold the Orb unharmed; he and his descendants protect the Orb from Torak.
The bOok oPENS witH a ProLOGue, bEginniNg witH the CrEatiON of ThE wOrld bY sevEn gods. aLdUr, olDest oF THE seVen, fashIONs A StonE ORb aND creaTeS within it a "LivIng soUl". torak, The MOsT BeAuTIfUl oF tHe seVeN, aTteMpts To seize tHe orb fRom Aldur and SUbdue thE Orb's iNtelLigence; The orb mutilAtes tHe lEfT Side of torak'S bODY. The Orb of alDUR is laTEr recovered bY BElGaRAtH tHe SOrcerER, kiNG chERek, aNd cHErek's SoNS. RiVA, ChErEk's yOUnGest SoN, Is fOUnD To be ABLE to hOld tHe orB unharmed; He anD His deScEndanTs pRoteCt THE orb From tOrak.