Voices from the Books

Lines Worth Carrying

Straight from the page. Dry wit, hard truths, and the odd gut-punch, all from The Stone Garden.

The first city burned between two rivers.
The Stone GardenMythic opening
They were everywhere. People. Hundreds of them, standing in the low red light, and every one of them was stone.
The Stone GardenThe stone garden
The seed is given. It is never taken.
NerisThe herald creed
A truth can be a knife. Knowing where to place it is not the same as knowing when to draw it.
SaelTruth as a weapon
They reach for the child you buried because a buried child is the softest thing anyone carries.
SaelThe Damned
It does not farm a city with fear. It farms one with love.
SaelThe enemy
A city cannot be held while it dies. A hand can.
SaelWhat heralds keep
I serve the people she spends.
SaelServing gods
You will have graves, Neris. Keep your good nights too.
SaelCarrying the work
Then stop calling him a boy from the river towns. His name was Perrin. Carry it properly.
NerisNaming the dead
Do not let anyone tell me you died bravely.
CalA brother's goodbye
I married you. The work came to the wedding and ate most of the food.
LiraLove and duty
I want to stand in front of something terrible and find that I do not move.
NerisWhy she goes
Horses do not ask me to explain three thousand years before breakfast.
SaelDeadpan Sael
I have been told I improve with distance.
SaelDry wit
I will try to die disgracefully.
NerisGallows humor
Everyone dislikes her. It saves time.
KessaThe prophet
Because you will look foolish saying it, and pride is already a danger at your height.
MeretNaming a weapon