Duty Quotes

“You can be whatever you want to be, Gen. Some people seem born to a profession. Others are so blessed in character and intelligence that they must choose. The one is miserable until he finds his calling, the other miserable until he has tried them all.”
― Brian K. Fuller, Duty

“Some people seem born to a profession. Others are so blessed in character and intelligence that they must choose. The one is miserable until he finds his calling, the other miserable until he has tried them all.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“for just as those who usually tell the truth are the best liars, those presumed innocent are the best cheaters.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“Spring would only be half as beautiful if winter weren’t before,”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“Answers, like roads, are the most fun when crooked.”
― Brian K. Fuller, Duty

“Both of you think you’re right all the time.” “We do not,” Gen disagreed. “Yes you do! Name one time since you came into my service that you’ve honestly said ‘I was wrong’ to anyone.” “Name one time when I have been wrong.” “All right.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“You’re both brave to the point of being reckless—or reckless to the point of seeming brave—and”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“You’re too beautiful for your own good. Seeing a face like yours would make a man think all his dumb jokes were funny.” “It wasn’t a dumb joke.” “Yes it was.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“Chertanne will also not think better of you for not having done so. I think the fact that you wouldn’t touch me is completely beyond his understanding. Fenna and my mother will believe anything I tell them. Ethris and the Pontiff will know the truth regardless of what anyone says. As for anyone else, I care little.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“So what are you going to teach me today, Gen?” the Chalaine asked happily, coming to stand in front of him. “I could do without any more talk of how to survive bear attacks. I had the most awful dreams last night.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“I can feel the words coming already! Tell me what you think:       Rain and mud, dark and fog,     Don’t look down. Press on, press on,     Drenched gray wood and gloomy bog,     Don’t look back. Walk on, walk on.   “We didn’t go through a bog, at least technically,” Gen interjected through his mouthful of stew. Geoff turned indignant. “Surely, Gen, you—you of all people—realize that this song would not be historical but metaphorical in nature. I am trying to represent the journey of life, not merely our travels.” “Forgive me; muse”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“Gen” he greeted excitedly, ignoring Mirelle. A wild anticipation shone in his eyes. “It seems we shall have a fight after all! Everyone is scared, but not you and I. We were fashioned for this hour. They will watch us fight and know that we two, we are the ones to fear!” Gen wasn’t sure how to respond. He had no enthusiasm for a bloody run in with an Uyumaak horde.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“For what seemed like half the night, Mirelle laid waste to anything Gen might be thinking good about himself and pointed out repeatedly that she was before Eldaloth himself when it came to Gen getting permission to do anything besides stay within earshot of the Chalaine. He was fairly sure she would have impugned his parentage for all of his faults if he had any parentage to speak of. At one point, he thought she might actually make up some parents for him just for that purpose, but mercifully, she did eventually tire and tell him to get out of her sight.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“A hearty group of squirrels could see you dead for all you know of the blade!”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“I think so,” Gen replied. “The terrain is easy and the weather cooperative. Unless they greatly misjudged the distance to the river, which I doubt, then I see little excuse for them to be as late as they are.” “Maybe they got lost.” “If the best scouts in Rhugoth got lost following a river, then we really are doomed.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“Talking with Fenna and Geoff at the same time was like trying to woo a girl while her talkative, drunk father sat on the porch between you.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“When we give our friendship to others, we agree to accept both the blessing and the burden of tying ourselves to another person’s life.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“The one is miserable until he finds his calling, the other miserable until he has tried them all.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“The first small section was the hardest to build, given the size of the Portal,” Ethris recounted. “They were quite enthusiastic once they completed it and quite disappointed the next day when they stepped through the Portal and fell into the water after it had drifted away during the night. It is well-anchored, now.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“Pelewen still wanders the night Under the canopy of long-dead days, A knight sword-sworn to duty and might, A knight faith-sealed with truth and right.   Nerena still wanders the misty eve, Under the canopy of long-dead days, A witch evil-sworn to lies believe, A witch dark-sealed to darkness wreathe.   What brought you, knight, to wander that wood? What brought the thieves who cut you down? Where, dark witch, did you find the good, To succor he who for goodness stood?   With secrets whispered in secluded shade, She healed you, knight, your life returned, With kisses, witch, the first he gave, Your soul was healed and holy made.   Love, you too we see this night Under the canopy of long-dead days; A blessing sworn to the good and right, A love that sealed a witch and knight.   What partings made upon the morn, Under wind and sun and forest song: One body whole and one soul born, Four eyes wet and two hearts torn.   What drove you, Knight, to the distant glade? What drove you to confess, dear maid? Why, Knight, did heart turn horse ‘round again? And why, Pureman, could you not forgive her stain?   One maid burned at morning’s light. One horse rides through ash at night. One soul to tell the Knight the tale. One Knight upon his sword impaled.   Death, you too we see this eve, Under the canopy of long-dead days; A death dark-sworn to love bereave, A death dark-sealed to sadness wreathe.   “Well, that was depressing,” Chertanne derided”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“Blessed One!” the Magistrate intoned reverently. “We welcome you to our unworthy establishment. We hope everything is to your satisfaction.” “My satisfaction?” Chertanne laughed. “I have seen better. . .” “What his Grace wishes to say,” Kaimas interrupted, “is that we could expect no better inn anywhere and that it is no doubt more than adequate.” “Yes, yes,” Chertanne reversed. “A fine establishment, indeed.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“Gen caught Shadan Khairn wandering about, face reflecting a childlike glee, though Gen had to believe he was disappointed about not getting to kill anyone that afternoon.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“Is it so hard,” Gen said, “to believe I could make a woman feel . . . relaxed?” “Yes.” “Why? I have ample evidence to the contrary. Fenna, Mirelle, Marna, streets full of crazed, ravenous young women. Maybe it’s just you.” “We’re not talking about me. We’re talking about you.” “Actually, we were talking about your mother.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“Flirting is at its most successful when the recipient can neither confirm nor deny it.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“Did she cry from gratitude or perhaps sob from the awful memory? A hug or royal kiss? Promises of wealth?” “You don’t know the First Mother very well,” Gen answered. “Oh, come now! Don’t be so close-mouthed. It should be recorded for history!” “It was a private conversation. Suffice it to say that she thanked me and we shared a bit of sweetbread.” “You have sweetbread?” Fenna asked. “From whom?” “Marna.” Gen answered. “Who is Marna?” Geoff inquired, scribbling quickly. “Is she the beautiful daughter of a Duke or Regent giving you a token to remember her sweet embrace by?” “Well, no, Geoff,” Gen grated, starting to feel irritated. “She is the rather plump cook of the castle. She has five children and a husband who love her dearly. I really must be about my duty.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“Determination in the hands of the powerful, intelligent, and vengeful created disaster as often as not,”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“Once you get over the initial shock of almost losing your life, I think you will find you have a keener appreciation for simple things.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“If Chertanne had even a diseased shred of intelligence, he would have at least paid an assassin to kill someone near him so it would appear as if he were a target, as well. As it is, he might as well have stood up on his horse and yelled, ‘Heap all suspicion on me!”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“But the sheer stupidity of it! Already the tale of the ‘Ilch’s attack spreads through the caravan! The Ilch! So people are expected to believe that the Ha’Ulrich rode exposed through a busy street, but instead of attacking him or the Chalaine, the Ilch decides to unleash his assassins on two people completely irrelevant to the prophecy!”
― Brian Fuller, Duty

“Don’t toy with me, Lord Blackshire. If you don’t share, I will let it drop within Padra Athan’s hearing that you taught my daughter to cheat at cards. She needs a bit more practice, by the way.”
― Brian Fuller, Duty