All these things Alanna knew from her father’s books and maps, but the reality took her breath away as a paragraph written in a book never could.
Few people are wise enough to know they might not be ready for such a venture. Too many rush to wed, only to discover they know little about what they’re getting into.
Someday I must read this scholar everyone.
You do not take your place in your father’s tent, letting men make your decisions. You ride as a man, you fight as a man, and you think as a man – ” “I think as a human being,” she retorted hotly. “Men don’t think any differently from women – they just make more noise about being able to.
Numair smiled. “Their society is ruled by females. Each pack is led by sisters.” “Sensible of them,” Daine said, grinning up at him.
On the outside, the pony insisted. Not inside. Inside you’re People.
Magelet, one thing I have learned is that humans cling to their first knowledge of you, particularly if they have no experience of you once you’ve changed.
My wondrous book says you’re a feline, and a carnivore, and a vertebrate, and a mammal. I wish them that wrote it could smell around here right now and maybe they wouldn’t call you all those pretty names.
Maybe it takes a coward more courage – not less – to do and not do things. Perhaps cowards understand the world so much better than brave folk.
He was a god, the greatest of those who ruled two-leggers, but he was no Chaos queen. Her supply of awed terror was used up for today.
People with a good life would defend it more vigorously than people who were beaten down by their masters and their fates.
I respect you heaps, lady knight. I’d’ve thrown myself off a bridge, getting this assignment. You, you’re there with lists and plans. You listen to every flap-mouthed bumpkin who thinks he can do your task better, and you answer with a smile and thanks. Why, you’ve inspired me to be a blessing to my fellow bumpkin, just like you.
At last the King’s Champion straightened with a groan, her free hand going to her lower back. “Nobody ever says that, even with healers, your body still adds up your breaks and bruises, then gives you the bill in your mid-thirties,” she said wryly.
Most disasters are fast, and big. You can see everyone else’s life got overturned when yours did. Houses are smashed, livestock’s dead. But plagues isolate people. They shut themselves inside while disease takes a life at a time, day after day. It adds up. Whole cities break under the load of what was lost. People stop trusting each other, because you don’t know who’s sick.
You’re brave, to admit you don’t know everything and then do something about it.
Have you ever noticed that when you try to deny some part of yourself, things fall out so you need that part more than any other?
What was unreasonable about asking those that had the coin to build the kingdom up again? They made enough riches off of us.
The gods cannot reveal all things; otherwise, where is men’s right to choose their fates? Where is your right to choose?
Her tolerance for fools had always been slight, and she was losing the little she had.
It was almost warm for the first day of New Year; she was dressed comfortably; she had a good horse and Faithful with her and Coram at her side. Roger’s death was bad, she thought, but life could be much, much worse. Perhaps I’ll live and be happy after, all.
I leave you mages to it. I’m going to camp and torture some trainees.