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The godblades were forged of shadow and starlight, the essence of darkness and brightness in stark contrast. And when shadowblade met brightblade in battle: thunder and lightning and death beyond human comprehension. The Kingfall Histories
He had learned to curse in three languages, however, so there was that.
There was such sincerity in this young man’s every word, every action, that Aisling wondered whether she’d misjudged the entire human race. She immediately discarded the notion. One good apple didn’t vindicate an entire rotten bunch.
How did one care which way the sun rose and set when the light would never touch their faces? How did one smile when none of them would ever smile again?
“The loss of a child is so much more than a single soul. Scores of potential generations are lost by a single tragedy, entire armies of ghosts left to haunt what they leave behind. Those who would’ve saved the world and those who might’ve destroyed it.
Though he would give no command on this day, his actions could say that which he left unsaid.
Aisling knew from experience that peace was a fleeting thing, like rays of sunlight on a cloudy day. You reached out to catch the warmth of a sunbeam in your hand only to find it cold and lacking.
For humans to be unkind was as natural as it was for a bee to sting. Inevitable,
“Sometimes one doesn’t notice the great wealth sitting beside them because of the pile of troubles in front of it.”
They stared into the eyes of death and were barely able to draw their swords before the creatures set upon them with fury.
The question a historian might ask is this: Did She care about any of it? Most historians would, intellectually, argue that the natives’ faith was misguided and meaningless and superstitious, that who lived and died was mere happenstance. But what if it wasn’t? What if the very strength of their faith and how they proved it decided their own fate?
“I need no redemption,” Ando said. “You’re wrong there. All men need redemption, especially the ones who believe they don’t.”
But I know of revenge and vengeance. They are a pair of knives that will twist inside you until you decide to pull them out and bury them deep within the earth.”
They are gone. You are not. Do not waste the life that they no longer have.”
“Aye. Fear is good. Fear can focus you if you don’t allow it to consume you. Fear can even make you a better warrior. The line between fear and courage is thin, and the bravest men have a measure of each.”
The dwarves had the natural ability to find something to complain about no matter the situation. And given their current situation was woefully bleak, there was plenty for them to complain about, including being too hot (or too cold), too tired (or too awake), too bored (or too entertained). The dwarf that had complained about being too entertained had been sitting and watching Mrz’s antics with the healer before declaring he needed “some bloody peace and quiet”.
It made sense in an ironic sort of way. That one who enjoyed inflicting violence and one with the ability to heal those whom violence had been inflicted upon should both leave a trail of corpses in their wake.
The dog’s name was Majesty, which made for plenty of confusing situations where one wasn’t certain whether someone was calling for the dog or addressing the king.
“We cannot hope to understand the will of the gods, which involves thousands of years of existence while our own minds consider only the next few days.” “That long?” Peony said. “I was wondering what’s for supper.”
“Father, what will I do without you?” “You will be strong. You will be the woman you were always meant to be, the person I never was.”
The banquet in her brother’s honor was everything she expected it to be: Terribly perfect and perfectly terrible.
I’m sorry, Dane said. For what? Everything? That’s more like it, the dragon thought back, leveling out and then diving once more. Just to be safe, you should offer a full apology for everything at least once per day. You’re hilarious. So I’ve been told.
First, to your country, as Travail is what it is today because of the sacrifices of men like us. Second, to your dragon, who will be your greatest comfort in times of trials and tribulation. Third, to your wife, who will be an immovable rock in the stormy seas. Fourth, to your children, who are the future of our world, bright lights in the darkest of nights. And finally, after all else have been satisfied, comes your own desires.
A washroom? Dane thought. Is that a thing? Daneus asked, mirroring his own confusion. Eavesdropping again? Can I help it that your thoughts are exceptionally loud?
“No wonder your brother said you were clever,” he said. “Osric said that?” the princess said incredulously. “Indeed. It was the only thing he said that didn’t make me want to introduce his face to my knuckles.”
The dragon’s head cocked to the side and she swore the skin above one of his eyes lifted, though he didn’t have any eyebrows. Dane glanced back at her. “You’ve rendered him speechless. Teach me how to do that.”
Your courage was your beauty, your beauty your grace, your grace your courage, and so your circle continued.
YOU CHOOSE YOUR PATH, her blade reminded her. NOT YOUR FATHER OR MOTHER. NOT DANE. NOT EVEN ME. IT IS LEFT TO YOU AND YOU ALONE. IF YOU ARE ILL-CONTENTED WITH THE DIRECTION THE CURRENT IS PULLING YOU, ALL YOU MUST DO IS REACH OUT AND GRASP A BRANCH.
The fates are not easily thwarted, the dragon said. They will get their pound of flesh when they want it.
They called him the Terran Wolf, but such a nickname was an insult to the wolves of the world.
He managed one clumsy slash, which she ducked beneath, before he found himself in several places at once.
Her heart broke just a little, and it wasn’t a wound she would ever be able to heal, even with her remarkable powers.
History was written not based on fact, but by those who survived the day.
There were fresh tears in her eyes, her expression twisted with what could be construed as either anger or sadness, depending on the angle.
A boy who speaks to both heads of a two-headed dragon, which, I might add, are only reflections of the two halves of his own tempestuous mind…hmm…
