Wheel of the Infinite Quotes

“Maskelle remembered that Rian had never mentioned how the old Holder Lord of Markand died. She suspected strongly that it had been from exasperation. “How did the Holder Lord die?” There was a hesitation, then suspiciously, “From a fit, why?” “Just confirming a supposition. If you can’t be quiet, go sit with Old Mali.” “If that old woman slaps me on the ass one more time—” “Rian.” Maskelle took a sharp breath, opening her eyes. “Come here.”
― Martha Wells, Wheel of the Infinite

“Rian asked, “Who was that other woman, who looked daggers at you?” Maskelle glanced at him. He was ostensibly relaxed, but not without that edge of watchful tension. She said, “That was Lady Disara, my husband Sirot’s mother. The husband I killed.” Rian stared at her. “You could have told me before.” He looked sharply at the people who had come with the two Court Ladies and managed to lower his voice. “How can I protect you if you don’t tell me these things? What is wrong with you? Were you run out of the Empire for being reckless?”
― Martha Wells, Wheel of the Infinite

“She started along the path toward the temple. “But I’m more used to looking for evil than they are.” “That’s why the Celestial One sent for you,” Rian pointed out. That, she thought, is true. She added, “And the problem with looking for evil is that you then have to do something about whatever you flush out.”
― Martha Wells, Wheel of the Infinite

“He looked at her staff. “What’s a Voice of the Ancestors doing on the Great Road with a traveling Ariaden puppet show?”
― Martha Wells, Wheel of the Infinite

“She was uncomfortably aware that the last time she had been this close to a man had been two months ago when she had helped hold Rastim down so Old Mali could lance his boil. Before that … Well, she wasn’t going to add up the days, but it had been a long time.”
― Martha Wells, Wheel of the Infinite

“She reminded herself to tell Rastim that she had been lying to authority before he was conceived.”
― Martha Wells, Wheel of the Infinite

“But Rastim and Firac were voted down by the others and it was decided that they would do a kiradi comedy of manners, which could be read without scenery or costumes. Knowing Rastim, he would still try to work in a few puppets.”
― Martha Wells, Wheel of the Infinite