Tesh continued to wade forward through hip-deep water and neck-high fear.
Stained upon my hands, the blood of innocents brands my soul with such a crime forgiveness gapes appalled.
Royce hated keeping secrets from Hadrian, and it weighed heavily on his conscience, which was amazing, because he had never known he had one. Royce defined right and wrong by the moment. Right was wha...
Reason, truth, innocence --Royce sat back against the wall and folded his arms--unicorns, pixies, and dragons; you're not that young to believe in such things. How is it that you fancy yourself a resi...
It’s never good when a tree screams.
It was like waiting for the sunrise and a chicken to hatch—if the sun marked the end of the world and the chicken was an all-devouring demon. —
In the dark, when night’s chill cutsCold as death they climb the hillBreaking door and windowpaneThey come to burn, slash, and kill. Shadows pounding on the doorThey beat the drums of fearPlace your...
How are you speaking? Gryndal asked.With my mouth, she said. Does everyone play that game?
Don’t let go. Don’t you dare let go. Do you hear me? Are you listening to me, Royce Melborn? You have to hang on, Royce. Please… give me your hand. Give me your hand! Royce’s head snapped up. He focus...
But … but how … Why? He started to push up on the bed with his hands and winced.Calm down, she told him firmly. You need to rest. I mean it.I shouldn’t be lying down in your presence!You will if I tel...
Another last-minute, good-deed job, Royce grumbled as he stuffedsupplies into his saddlebag.True, Hadrian said, slinging his sword belt over his shoulder, butthis is at least a paying job.You should h...
You can’t have an adversary without being one.
We may indeed die here, that's true. But we will all die anyway-is there any denying that? When you think of all the possible ways you might go, this is as fine a place as any, isn't it? I mean, to en...
They watched each other, staring across the green. Royce walked forward, crossing the distance between them in silence. Two ghosts meeting at a crossroad.It’s been a while—Esra is it? Or should I call...
The one you posed to the Crescent Forest. Brin sat up straighter, closed her eyes, and recited, Four brothers visit this wood. The first is greeted with great joy; the second is beloved; the third alw...
The Song of Man, one of Reuben’s favorite poems, mentioned age, disease, and hunger as the Three Cruelties of Humanity. Fat Horace was clearly hunger. Pasty-faced, pockmarked Willard was disease, and...
The God Killer is the Coppersword’s favorite son. His secret treasure.
Sunlight had a way of showing the realities that shadows born of firelight hid. The
Spring had let go of Winter's hand and was reaching out to Summer
Shall we, partner? See you on the other side, pal. Hadrian threw his arms around the thief and, surprisingly, felt Royce hug him back. With one final smile, Royce pushed open the door and disappeared...