The Runelords Quotes

“A wise king does not garner all wit, instead he also allows his cunselors to be wise.”
― david farland, The Runelords

“When you behold the face of pure evil, it will be beautiful.”
― David Farland, The Runelords

“The Days stared down at his mug, knowing he’d said too much, needing to say one thing more. ‘Your Lordship, perhaps it is well that you do not value virtue in your friends. You will know not to trust them. And if you are wise, you will not trust yourself.’
‘How so?’ Gabon asked wondering. With each Days twinned to another, they were never alone, never had the luxury of trusting themselves. Gabon wondered if this pairing was really an advantage.
‘Men who believe themselves to be good, who do not search their own souls, most often commit the worst atrocities. A man who sees himself as evil will restrain himself. It is only when we do evil in the belief that we do good that we pursue wholeheartedly.’
Gabon grunted, considering.
‘If I may be so bold, Your Lordship, I’m glad you question yourself. Men don’t become good by practicing an occasional good deed. You must constantly reexamine your thoughts and acts, question your virtue.’
Gabon stared at the thin scholar. The man’s eyes were getting glassy, and he could barely hold his head up. His thinking seemed somewhat clearer than the common drunk’s and he offered his advice in a kind tone. No Days had ever offered Gabon advice before. It was a singular experience.
At that moment, the inn door opened. Two more men entered, both with dark complexions, both with brown eyes. They were dressed as merchants fresh off the road, but both wore rapiers at their side, and both had long knives strapped at their knees.
One man smiled, the other frowned.
Gabon remembered something his father had taught him as a child. ‘In the land of Muyyatin, assassins always travel in pairs. They talk with gestures.’ The Gabon’s father had taught him the assassins’ codes. One man smiling, one man frowning – No news, either good or bad.
Gabon’s eyes flicked across the room, to the two dark man in the far corner. Like himself, they had chosen a secure position, had put their backs to the wall.
One man in the corner scratched his left ear. We have heard nothing.
The newcomers sat at a table on the far side of the room from their compatriots. One man put his hands on the table, palms down. We wait.”
― David Farland, The Runelords

“In Khuram it is said that a man with a single knife can kill two thousand men in a single night.”
― David Farland, The Runelords