The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England

by Brandon Sanderson

The shadows were deeper than any I’d ever seen, as if strengthened by the knowledge that I couldn’t control them with the flip of a switch.

It was strange to feel a sudden sense of loss and pain for a person whose face I couldn’t remember. But it was there, a knot—no, a suddenly audible scream—inside of me.

wished Jen was around; she could have told me how long it would take society to develop indoor plumbing and heated water spigots. When I complained to Yazad, he laughed and said they had those things in Persia.

“responsibility is important, Johnny. The way we respond to bad turns is the only thing we have control over.”

“Killing is desperation, not strength. To live without killing…that is a strong society. If the reverse were true, my lands would not be withering away, like crops long without water…”

I’d assumed an eventual rematch would be a way to take back my dignity. Turns out, nobody can take that from you. You’ve got to throw it away.

I do not speak of this to depress or discourage—but perhaps to warn. Prepare yourself for this feeling. The burden of knowledge shall come upon you, bringing with it this inevitable solitude. You