I love fantasy. I grew up reading fantasy. But, I wanted to put a somewhat different spin on it. The whole trope of absolute good versus absolute evil, which was wonderful in the hands of J.R. Tolkien, became cliche and rote in the hands of the many Tolkien imitators that followed.

The singers make much of kings who die valiantly in battle, but your life is worth more than a song.

When you have known the kiss of a flaying knife, a laugh loses all its power to hurt you.

Some old wounds never truly heal, and bleed again at the slightest word.

You may be as different as the sun and the moon, but the same blood flows through both your hearts. You need her, as she needs you.

We know truth for the cruel instrument it is. Beauty is infinitely preferable to truth.

Have a care how you speak to me, Imp. Doubtless he meant to sound threatening, but that absurd wisp of a mustache ruined the effect.