That reminds me, why were you letting Braga beat you?What do you mean?I saw you fighting when we first came up. Your stance was defensive, your strokes all parries and blocks. You never once attacked....
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...
Royce took out his dagger and drove it into the table, where it stood upright. Look at the blade. Is it bright or dark? Hadrian narrowed his eyes suspiciously. The brilliant surface of Alverstone was...
Royce started for the steps.Hadrian whirled with his hand up. No! Just relax. Let me deal with this.Royce hesitated, more because Hadrian was blocking the way than because he agreed.Everyone turned to...
Royce reached out and deliberately knocked Hadrian’s mug over, spilling the ale across the end of the table and onto the floor. Hadrian pushed away from the table and looked at Royce, surprised. What’...
Remember, it’s easier to believe an outlandish lie confirming what you suspect than the most obvious truth that denies it,
Pain, fear, drudgery, boredom, lots of boredom—these are the things that build character. And you need to experience loss and remorse because falling down gives you the opportunity to rise once more....
Never say never on any endeavor; it sounds like a dare to gods that don't care. If the likes of us prosper, fail or falter; it matters not while they roll with laughter on an alter, at our miserable,...
Mystics were about as common as two-headed unicorns. The few who existed lived apart from the world of men, remaining untainted by influence and corruption. Having a wolf as her best friend demonstrat...
Just another game he played in a world where heroes were legends and honor was a myth.
I’m Tekchin, he said, exchanging an empty gourd for a full one. The handsomest and most skilled of the Galantians. This brought an immediate and loud moan from the other Fhrey. That scar suggests othe...
It was possible he had no idea his head was gathering material fit for a squirrel’s nest; it was also possible he knew and thought it made him more attractive in a rustic, manly sense
Instead of passion, you have regret. In place of effort, you are mired in memory. You sink in nothingness and your heart drowns in despair. At times—usually at night—it’s a physical pain, both sharp a...
Ignorance isn’t prejudiced about who it afflicts,
If this keeps up, we’re going to own Melengar, Hadrian mentioned.What’s this we stuff? Royce asked. You’re retired, remember?Oh? So you’ll be leading the Nationalist advance, will you?Sixty-forty? Roy...
I think everyone may have underestimated your mother’s love for you. Me included.
I think comfort can be a curse, an addiction that without warning or notice erodes hope.
Hadrian was not convinced but knew there was no reason to argue further. Gwen was not the type for debate. Most women he knew invited discussion and even enjoyed arguments, but not Gwen. There was cla...
Believing the worst of people, of the world in general, was a trap too easy to fall into. Hadrian had fought beside soldiers who'd developed similar views. Such men saw evil and virtue as concepts of...
A loose board on the boat’s deck creaked under Hadrian’s weight and Royce glared at him. Twelve years they had worked together, and still Royce did not seem capable of understanding that Hadrian could...