The Raven Tower

by Ann Leckie

I understand now why I noticed that, why I found myself suddenly intrigued by the milk, and by the actions of this person who continued to address me. At the time, though, I did not. But rather than tiresomely detailing my experience from moment to ignorant moment, I’ll just explain.

There are some actions beyond the power of even the most powerful gods, and one of them is to say something happened that did not, or to say something did not happen that did.

The priest came before us, then. Set down the tiny lamp she carried, and prostrated herself. “O Strength and Patience!” she said. “Stable and solid! On whom can we rely but you?” “She has not come to chat,” I remarked to the Myriad. “Do priests generally come up here to chat with you?” she asked.