--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is the way in which the Dark returns…" description: "\"“It is the way in which the Dark returns, Harrier. I will explain, if you like.\" \"Oh, no,\" Harrier said. \"I'd much rather not know a thing about what w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/mercedes-lackey-2374_character-harrier_it-is-the-way-in-which-the-dark-returns_241331.png" --- # It is the way in which the Dark returns, Harrier. I will… ![“It is the way in which the Dark returns, Harrier. I will explain, if you like." "Oh, no," Harrier said. "I'd much rather not know a thing about what we're facing. Let me get dressed first." A few minutes later Harrier came back, dressed for the day. He made another cup of hot cordial for Tiercel…” quote by Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/mercedes-lackey-2374_character-harrier_it-is-the-way-in-which-the-dark-returns_241331.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/mercedes-lackey-2374_character-harrier_it-is-the-way-in-which-the-dark-returns_241331.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/mercedes-lackey-2374_character-harrier_it-is-the-way-in-which-the-dark-returns_241331.png) > ““It is the way in which the Dark returns, Harrier. I will explain, if you like." "Oh, no," Harrier said. "I'd much rather not know a thing about what we're facing. Let me get dressed first." A few minutes later Harrier came back, dressed for the day. He made another cup of hot cordial for Tiercel, refilled the kettle and started the water brewing for tea, and set some dried fruit to soak for griddle-cakes. "Okay. Now. Ruin my day," he invited.”” [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character avoids confronting a looming threat, preferring mundane tasks, highlighting denial and distraction as coping mechanisms. **In simple terms:** Avoiding problems by focusing on small chores. Key Takeaway Address issues directly instead of procrastinating. Themes denial distraction coping routine avoidance Mood anxious reflective ironic Type dialogue character conversational When to use this quote - workplace stress - personal crises - daily routines - preparing for conflict Key Concepts psychology behavioral response conflict avoidance Questions to Reflect On - What are you avoiding right now? - How does routine help or hinder confronting fear? A Different Perspective Denial can exacerbate the problem if not eventually faced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [James-mallory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/james-mallory/) [Mercedes-lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mercedes-lackey/) ## Related quotes > [You jackass. We're all going to die here. You know that, right?' Harrier said. Yeah," Eugens said shakily. '...Guess I might as well die…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/you-jackass-we-re-all-going-to-die-here-you-know-that-right-harrier/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [“There were times that Tiercel thought that the Wild Magic had a far greater sense of humor than the Light-Priests had ever spoken of,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/there-were-times-that-tiercel-thought-that-the-wild-magic-had-a-far/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [“So, that's okay. It's not like you're turning into an Endarkened or something, like Kellen's evil stepbrother Anigrel the Black.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/so-that-s-okay-it-s-not-like-you-re-turning-into-an-endarkened-or/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [“I'd been going to study Pre-Flowering History," Tiercel offered. "Now you're living it," Kave said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/i-d-been-going-to-study-pre-flowering-history-tiercel-offered-now-you/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) ## More by Mercedes Lackey > [“He’d parted reluctantly from Amily, thinking again with envy of Lena and Bear. One thing that they hadn’t been forced to deal with during…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/he-d-parted-reluctantly-from-amily-thinking-again-with-envy-of-lena/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [If they projected the fact that they are dangerous any harder, there would be little puddles of "danger" on the floor around them. Look,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/if-they-projected-the-fact-that-they-are-dangerous-any-harder-there/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [“Then he heard a wild, high-pitched cackling that made the hair stand up on the back of his neck. It wasn't sane, that laugh.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/then-he-heard-a-wild-high-pitched-cackling-that-made-the-hair-stand/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [Time doesn't. All that Time does is make it more distant, put more space between you and what happened. It doesn't heal anything. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/time-doesn-t-all-that-time-does-is-make-it-more-distant-put-more/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [Fanatics can justify practically any atrocity to themselves. The more untenable their position becomes, the harder they hold to it, and the worse the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/fanatics-can-justify-practically-any-atrocity-to-themselves-the-more/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [Other people can have all the children they want. Some people ask for no-smoking sections. I ask for no children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/other-people-can-have-all-the-children-they-want-some-people-ask-for/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [It isn't wise to be rude to one's mother. She knows everything about your childhood that is potentially embarassing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/it-isn-t-wise-to-be-rude-to-one-s-mother-she-knows-everything-about/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [“Tradition spoke of an elegant half-arch being only a fallen pile of stones without its counterpart to make it whole.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/tradition-spoke-of-an-elegant-half-arch-being-only-a-fallen-pile-of/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [“I'm not out to disturb anybody's faith. I happen to be happy and comfortable with a belief system that has a dual deity and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/i-m-not-out-to-disturb-anybody-s-faith-i-happen-to-be-happy-and/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [“Thought it has certainly taken you long enough to realize what should have truly been precious to you. Not your own self-importance, nor how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/thought-it-has-certainly-taken-you-long-enough-to-realize-what-should/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [“Healer Myrim made no attempt to conceal the fact that Orthallen's treachery had not surprised her. Nor did she conceal that his demise gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/healer-myrim-made-no-attempt-to-conceal-the-fact-that-orthallen-s/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [I think canceling a game that is making a profit, along with destroying jobs and an online community, is entirely unethical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/i-think-canceling-a-game-that-is-making-a-profit-along-with/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [Doctor MacKenzie says "Sometimes I think the Victorians had the right idea. When you lost a family member back then you were suppose to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/doctor-mackenzie-says-sometimes-i-think-the-victorians-had-the-right/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [“Priests confine broad truths into narrow doctrines, because more rules mean that they have more power. Priests mistake their own prejudice for conscience and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/priests-confine-broad-truths-into-narrow-doctrines-because-more-rules/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [How DARE the villainous cads be as clever as the heroes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/how-dare-the-villainous-cads-be-as-clever-as-the-heroes/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) [Explore all 165 Mercedes Lackey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) ## More Character-harrier quotes > [“There were times that Tiercel thought that the Wild Magic had a far greater sense of humor than the Light-Priests had ever spoken of,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/there-were-times-that-tiercel-thought-that-the-wild-magic-had-a-far/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [“You have a long history," he said, when Lanya indicated her story was finished. "Ah, Harrier, were I to tell you a long story,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/you-have-a-long-history-he-said-when-lanya-indicated-her-story-was/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [“Yeah, and if I have to choose between being eaten by the Endarkened and telling my Da I'm a Wildmage, I'm not sure which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/yeah-and-if-i-have-to-choose-between-being-eaten-by-the-endarkened/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [“Well, we could have just given him a horse and sent him on his way, but... Ancaladar ate the horse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/well-we-could-have-just-given-him-a-horse-and-sent-him-on-his-way-but/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [“Every time people give me presents, it just makes trouble." He thought of his Naming Day party, and the gift from his Uncle Alfrin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/every-time-people-give-me-presents-it-just-makes-trouble-he-thought/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [“The idea that they were going to have to-eventually-go someplace that was even hotter than this was now was worrying Harrier, but there wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/the-idea-that-they-were-going-to-have-to-eventually-go-someplace-that/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [“Among the dragons, the prohibition against asking direct questions did not exist, and-as Harrier discovered immediately-dragons were even more outrageous gossips than sailors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/among-the-dragons-the-prohibition-against-asking-direct-questions-did/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) > [“So, that's okay. It's not like you're turning into an Endarkened or something, like Kellen's evil stepbrother Anigrel the Black.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/so-that-s-okay-it-s-not-like-you-re-turning-into-an-endarkened-or/) [Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/) Browse all 9 Character-harrier quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It is the way in which the Dark returns, Harrier. I will explain, if you like.\" \"Oh, no,\" Harrier said. \"I'd much rather not know a thing about what we're facing. Let me get dressed first.\" A few minutes later Harrier came back, dressed for the day. He made another cup of hot cordial for Tiercel, refilled the kettle and started the water brewing for tea, and set some dried fruit to soak for griddle-cakes. \"Okay. Now. 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