Why do the Gods make kings and queens if not to protect the ones who can't protect themselves?

The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. If you would take a man's life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words. And if you cannot bear to do that, then perhaps the man does not deserve to die.

Ruling is hard. This was maybe my answer to Tolkien, whom, as much as I admire him, I do quibble with. Lord of the Rings had a very medieval philosophy: that if the king was a good man, the land would prosper. We look at real history and it's not that simple... Real-life kings had real-life problems to deal with... My people who are trying to rule don't have an easy time of it. Just having good intentions doesn't make you a wise king.

The air smelled of paper and dust and years.

Show me the path I must walk and do not let me stumble in the dark places that lie ahead.

The heart lies and the head plays tricks with us, but the eyes see true.

Everything's better with some wine in the belly.