“I need a sword first," I said. "People here keep taking mine.” — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share Image
“Erick had underestimated the distance, both to the ground and the cliff above me, yet the texture of the cliff wall was better than I'd hoped for. Vines and plants grew dense and well rooted, and there were many rocks… — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share Image
“Kneel, please," Connor said. "I wish to study you better." Come as close to me as you'd like," I answered. "Study me here, on… — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share Image
“I need a sword first," I said. "People here keep taking mine.” — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share Image
“No offense, Jaron, but I don't want your life. Even locked away behind closed doors I got a taste for how awful it can… — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share Image
“I thought you were from a civilized country," he said. "How have you come to look more like Carthya's whipping boy than its king?" "I have a habit of irritating some of our less civilized people," I answered. "But you seem like a civilized...pirate. I'd much prefer it if you didn't have me whipped." "And why shouldn't I?" With some… — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share
“Above all else, I think that you are a compulsive liar." My laughter was tense, but sincere. "Hardly. In fact, I consider myself a… — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share Image
“This is for you." i pressed the stone in Kerwyn's hand. Kerwyn turned it over in his hands, unimpressed. "imatator's gold? It's worthless." "No, it's real gold. I am real Kerwyn." ... He pulled a creased and worn paper from his pocket and unfolded it. His hands shook increasingly as he read it. Then he turned to the audience and… — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share
“As part of the grand joke that had become my life, the gods had given me a master with the wit of a withered carrot and compassion of a wasp. He also smelled like toe fungus, though that’s less relevant. More significant is that of the hundreds of slaves who worked in the mines, Sal hated me the most. This… — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share
“How is it that you can see your enemies so clearly and never your friends?” — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share Image
“It would take entire lifetimes for the men of Carthya to deserve their women.” — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share Image