Sometimes the price of dreams is achieving them. Arista
She regretted volunteering, as getting off the ship required wading in chest-deep water. It was very cold and took her breath away. Her robe billowed around her as she struggled to find traction in th...
Okay, let’s say you’re a cat and Hadrian’s a dog and you want to make him happy. You give him a dead mouse and are surprised when he isn’t thrilled. The problem is that you need to see the world throu...
Oh, it can’t be as bad as all that. Come on, can’t I interest you in some soup? I make a pretty mean vegetable barley, if I do say so myself.You know I love your food. It’s just that my stomach is in...
No one said a word for some time. Everyone stared at Hadrian in wonder, including Albert, whose mouth hung agape.It was the duchess who finally found words to sum up their collective thoughts. Well, a...
Magic is a little like playing the fiddle. It’s damn hard to do without hands.
It’s strange. I keep forgetting you don’t have hands, Hadrian commented.I don’t, the wizard replied coldly.
In my day, those who could weave the Art, and summon the natural powers of the world to their bidding, were considered agents of the gods—sacrosanct. Today they burn you if you accidentally guess tomo...
If given a choice between a potentially great hardship and doing nothing, people gravitated toward what was most familiar and comfortable. That was why leadership was needed.
I think running from responsibility breeds self-loathing and despair. I think people can, and do, rise to the occasion, and even a single person can make an incredible difference. What they need are l...
I should have let you kill him.Silence.You’re nodding, aren’t you?I didn’t say a word.Bastard, Hadrian grumbled.You know the worst thing?I’ve got a pretty long list of bad things right now, and I’m no...
I never thought you cared all that much if I ever found Gaunt. Hadrian looked up at the tower again. At least not that much.Honestly? I don’t care at all. This whole quest of yours is stupid. So you f...
I knew him, you know, your beloved Novron. Ah, but yes, you already discovered that little fact. Here’s something the books won’t tell you. He was an ass.
Heroes are those who refuse to create or become victims. I failed to see it then, but I lived among many heroes. I think maybe everyone does. --THE BOOK OF BRIN
He could last longer without her than any of the others, but if too much time past, he felt the effects. Sick wasn’t the right word; empty was closer, but even it didn’t fit. Thin. He nodded to himsel...
Happiness comes from moving toward something. When you run away, ofttimes you bring your misery with you. Who
Freedom, he discovered, had built a greater prison than his family or clan had.
Fear made all the difference between rational and insane and could even masquerade one for the other.
Fear made all the difference between rational and insane and could even masquerade one for the other. Once a herd starts stampeding, only a fool stands in the way.
Enough of the lessons, Mauvin said, clearly irritated at being the illustration of a fencing mistake. Let’s show him a real demonstration.Looking for a rematch? Hadrian asked.Curious if it was luck.Ha...