Everything we knew condemned us, and our questioning condemned us most of all. Knowledge was the way of our people, and knowledge was dangerous. It was the first thing that freed you and the thing that put you in peril. It was the key to the ten gates. I saw them clearly now, each and every one, the gates that were there for me. Ashes, Bones, Grass, Heart, Stone, Love, Sorrow, Blood, Earth, Sky.

I never even believed in happiness. I didn't think it existed. Now look at me. I'm ready to believe in just about anything.

Sometimes words drew blood, they cut your tongue, they made you know things you couldn't unknow.

Jill and I have known each other our whole lives. One house separates our houses but we act as if it doesn't exist. We met before we were born and we'll probably still know each other after we die. At least, that's the way we're planning it.

Still, I couldn't help but wonder if it was a mistake for people like us to be tied to a place. If we weren't meant to be ready and willing to wander. If everything we needed was contained in who we were. And what we remember.

I wept to think that life went on even when so much had been lost, that rain still fell and myrtle grew between the rocks.

Pride is a funny thing; it can make what is truly worthless appear to be a treasure.