The Elves and the Otterskin Quotes

“What fools you are! Regin, you especially disgust me. You could have gone far as my assistant, and even the Scipling and his sword could still have possibilities, if you’d only realize your purpose is to be used as tools for great ones such as I.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“I shall keep your head and preserve it so I can listen to all your threats and insults every day and laugh.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“What does it matter now if I’m killed? We’ve got the gold, and the sword is lost forever. I’m the most expendable member of the group.”

“That’s not true!” Finnvard said. “We’d be devastated if anything happened to you! Regin, don’t let him go!”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“My mettle is more like kettle metal, but I think we must go and face Svartarr like proper Alfar.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“Who’s there, and what’s the idea of attacking a wizard in his own home? Speak and identify yourselves and your grievance or I shall be forced to return your arrows with firebolts.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“Your scepter is much more likely to be a blackthorn stake through your heart,” Regin said. “I only regret I shan’t see the day it happens.”

Grus exclaimed, “Now there’s a wizard after my own heart, and I do mean that literally.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“Have you anything more than you wish to say, Regin?” Lorimer demanded. “I’ve given you every chance. I wasn’t deceived long by your ruse in Bondhal. I could have seized you and destroyed those wretched elves long before this, if I wanted to.”

Regin shrugged with as much dignity as he could muster in such a position. “Nonsense. You wanted the treasure, and you wanted Ord’s ring. Well, now you’ve got them, but you’ll never get Ivarr and Glimr.”

Lorimer made an impatient sound. “Yes, but I’ve got those five Alfar. I’m sure I can force one of them to tell me where the Scipling is hiding. I hope that’s a thought you dwell on when you’re dying in the bog. It won’t be pleasant for them, I assure you.”
“You’ll get nothing from them. I’m the only one who knows where Ivarr is, and it seems I’m going to be dying very shortly, so you’ll never find out until one day when he slits your weazand with his sword.”

Inside Lorimer’s pocket, Grus cackled appreciatively. “And I shall be there to see it! Bless the Scipling and bless the sword!”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“Fafnir is a very old dragon. You can tell by the quantities of smoke. In old age they lose much of their flame and get very sooty.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“Nothing like having a young sprat around to make a fellow feel old. Should have let the river have him, you young fool. No, no, no, not my little Imp, the precious plague, bless and drat him. Yes, we’re glad we saved him, usually.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“He was the only teacher I ever liked. I could have learned a lot from him.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“It seems to be my fate to be the doom of wizards, I fear.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“By the wizard’s gizzards, Flosi’s a hound! How shall my cat fylgja ever stand him?”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“In a matter of moments, the battlefield was deserted except for the seven travelers, who were cautiously creeping from their hiding places like sooty lizards.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“I am a necromancer and we live as a law unto ourselves and trouble Svartarr as little as he troubles us or anyone else who cares to meddle with us.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“I understand that you had the Scipling and his Alfar and their wizard all in your power at one time, and you let them walk away from you. I hope you live never to forgive yourself for that mistake.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“If only the light were a bit stronger, or his imagination weaker, he could be sure something or someone was following them.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“The Maze without the continual chatter and grumbling of the Alfar was a place of portenous silence.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“We all know the sum total of our powers is at best a tricky conglomoration of mismatches, mistakes, and mysteries, which is not likely to get us anywhere but into further trouble.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“The old woman who was my teacher was preparing me for something and she believed a person was able to do anything he set his mind to.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“I devoted my life to him, and now he expects me to be his slave.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“As a black dwarf myself, I have made a study of the conflict of darkness and light, of ice and fire: thus I know that the forces of fire and light have also prepared an antithesis to Lorimer.” He bowed slightly to Ivarr. “As long as you exist, so does the possibility that Lorimer may be overthrown and finally destroyed, and all this plots with him.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“You’re not afraid, are you?” Flosi taunted maliciously.

“I was born frightened,” Finnvard said, “and it has preserved my life a thousand times. Anyone who isn’t frightened simply isn’t thinking clearly.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“Flosi folded his arms and looked insufferable.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“What can we do without Gizur? We’re not clear of the jotuns yet. They’ll grab Ivarr and his sword without the least compunction.”

“Sword?” Egills grunted. “What sword? Do you see a sword? Maybe your eyes are playing tricks on you, Flosi. There is no sword, and I have my doubts there will ever be a sword.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“Is that your final answer, Gizur? You refuse to surrender the Scipling?”

Gizur drew his own sword and stepped forward, holding it aloft. It beamed like a torch, illuminating his face and casting his eyes into shadow. “That’s right, Lorimer. You shall take Ivarr over my dead body-then and only then.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“Lorimer!” he called. “I’m the one you want!”

“No,” came the reply. “It’s Ivarr who put out my eye, just as he would put an end to my plans for Svartarrstrike. No, he’s the one I’ve got plans for. I’ll get you later, Gizur.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“Ivarr!” called the voice in whispery tones. “Ivarr, I’ve come for you!”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“I may not be a Guild wizard, but mind you, what I lack in reputation and fancy degrees I make up for in sheer determination.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“Ivarr listened and grinned, exchanging a wink with the silent Eilifir. It was good to be out from under a roof again and listening to his friends picking fights with one another and trading friendly insults.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin

“Our pretty play didn’t fool you, but if you think you’ve seen the last of us, you’re mistaken. Jotuns have protected that sword for centuries, and jotuns must have it when it is brought out again. We’ll get you too, my smart young Scipling.”
― Elizabeth H. Boyer, The Elves and the Otterskin