The Heroes (First Law World #5)

by Joe Abercrombie

weren’t much different. He even thought

It is easy to forget how much you have, when your eyes are always fixed on what you have not.

Two lads, probably just reached fighting age, were watching. Laughing at how stupid the sheep were, not to guess what was happening behind those hides. They didn’t see that they were in the pen, and behind a screen of songs and stories and young men’s dreams, war was waiting, soaked to the armpits and not caring. Craw saw it all well enough. So why was he still sitting meek in his pen? Might be old sheep can’t jump new fences either.

Some men are made for doing violence. Some are meant for planning it. Then there are a special few whose talent is for taking the credit.

“The truth is like salt. Men want to taste a little, but too much makes everyone sick.”

But it’s ’cause real life is what it is that a man needs daydreams.

“If you get a chance, don’t hesitate.” Shivers frowned down at the ruby on his little finger. “Mercy and cowardice are the same.”