There are still eight of us, Guy pointed out. Not exactly an even fight.I was thinking the same thing, Mauvin said. Sadly, there’s no one else here we can ask to join your side.Guy looked at Mauvin, t...
The smallest of the children fascinated Myron, and he watched them in amazement. They were like short drunk people, loud and usually dirty, but all were surprisingly cute and looked at him in much the...
The sled runners had been replaced by wheels and they traveled on a rutted, muddy road that formed a dark line between two fields of snow that occasionally showed a patch of matted, tangled weeds. See...
The real struggle is in your own mind. You must know you are going to win before you start the fight. You have to see it, smell it, and believe it utterly. It is a form of confidence, but you must gua...
The abbot told me once that lying was a betrayal to one's self. It's evidence of self-loathing. You see, when you are so ashamed of your actions, thoughts, or intentions, you lie to hide it rather tha...
That’s not the reason I didn’t tell you, Royce snapped. You just said it was!I know I did! So you’re lying to me again? Call me a liar one more time— And what? What? You going to fight me? It’s dark i...
Suri had a wolf named Minna. They were the best of friends and roamed the forest together. She had tattoos, was always filthy, afraid of nothing, and could do magic. From the first time I met her, I w...
Success, he continued, is achieved most consistently through cruelty and deception. Determination of the spirit certainly helps, but faith in Ferrol is a currency as valuable as a pair of shoes two si...
Snake, Wyatt announced. A big black one.There’s dozens of them, Royce explained.Where? Alric asked.Mostly behind you on the walls.What? the king said, aghast. Why didn’t you say something?Knowing woul...
Same reason you're trying to sell your nightshirt, Royce replied.For rum?Rum? Hadrian said. Not food?Albert shrugged. That's what I do with all my money. It helps take my mind off the fact that I spen...
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...
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...
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...
His rejection of the church was not entirely funded by his paternal feud; church people had a strange way about them. They smiled too much, were quick to compliment and support, but behind the stretch...
He gave him a second, then in a bright tone said, How is it we never had king and emperor on our list of potential careers? When you think about it, it beats the heck out of winemakers, actors, and fi...
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...
A beautiful day might bring disaster, while a day that begins trapped inside an ancient toom, might be the best one of your life. If you don´t abandon hope on pleasent days, why do so on those that be...
A beautiful day might bring disaster, while a day that begins trapped inside an ancient tomb might be the best one of your life.
Lying was a betrayal to one’s self. It’s evidence of self-loathing. When you are so ashamed of your actions, thoughts, or intentions, you lie rather than accepting yourself for who you really are—or,...
You were right about the swords, Royce said. You really do need three. You sound drunk. I feel drunk-and I hate being drunk. Nothing works the way it’s supposed to. And it makes me act stupid … like y...