Joy Chant > Quotes

“It was not so easy to pray, alone--or at least he had never found it so. But all at once he felt that he dared not go unblessed--unarmed. What prayer could he make, to the God whom he had refused to forsake, yet could not truly remember? He drew his sword and held it up before him, hoping for words, but none came. The moonstone on the pommel shone faintly in the dimness of the tent. The Shield of Adamant glittered. These two, and me, and Dur'chai; that's all, he thought. That's all there is, to meet him. 'Take us,' he said aloud, 'for what we're worth. It's harder than I thought--and I'm afraid.”
― Joy Chant, Red Moon and Black Mountain

“Have no fear,' the boy replied. 'Your trials have been stern but they are behind you. Now we show that we too can be generous. All that you have lost shall be restored, and all that you have gained remain untouched.'

Then Oliver met his eyes steadfastly, and said 'Young lord, your words are gracious. But I have gained knowledge that will not leave me, and I know you speak your truths too easily. There is something I have lost which you cannot restore, and that is innocence.'

There was an appreciative leap of laughter in the young one's eyes, but he answered gravely. 'And have men sunk so far, that the best they can hope for is innocence? Do they no longer strive for virtue? For virtue lies not in ignorance of evil, but in resistance to it.”
― Joy Chant, Red Moon and Black Mountain