Magician (The Riftwar Saga, #1-2)

by Raymond E. Feist

The man in brown leaned upon his staff. ‘Considering how little humans think alike, it might be that this spider would react with fear, defiance, indifference, fatalism, or incredulity. Anything’s possible.’ He reached out with his staff and gently caught a piece of spider silk on the wooden pole. Lifting the tiny arachnid, he transported it over to the opposite side of the road. ‘Do you think the creature knows that this is a different flower?’ ‘I don’t know.’ The man in brown smiled. ‘That is perhaps the wisest of all answers.’

you don't know another's thoughts.

‘When you think of the Empire, what comes to mind? A history of armies warring across the lands? Or the rise of the Assembly? Perhaps you think of a chronicle of rulers? Whatever it is, most likely the single most obvious truth is overlooked. The Empire is all those who live within its borders, from the nobles to the lowest servant, even the slaves who work the fields. It must be seen as a whole, not as being embodied by some small but visible part, such as the Warlord or the High Council. Do you understand that?’ Hochopepa looked troubled.

a land is made of all.the people on it.

pull him firmly into his seat, saying, ‘Milamber, remember yourself!’ Milamber pulled himself free, ignoring the command. Milamber and his companions looked to the imperial box, where a guard captain conferred with the Warlord. Milamber felt a strange hot flush inside and for a moment battled a sudden impulse to use his powers to put the Warlord amid those below, to see how he fared against those who refused to die gracefully at his command. Then Almecho’s voice rang out, silencing all those nearby. ‘No, no bowmen. Those animals will not die a warrior’s death.’ He turned to one of his pet magicians and issued instructions. The black-robed man nodded and began to incant. Milamber felt his neck hairs rise as the presence

pug and emotional power. The games. Piloerection