We worship…the powers that speak to our souls, if it seems they do. We do so knowing there is more to the world, and the half-world, and perhaps worlds beyond, than we can grasp. We always knew that. We can’t even stop children from dying, how would we presume to understand the truth of things? Behind things? Does the presence of one power deny another? [p. 176]

The world could bring you poison in a jewelled cup, or surprising gifts. Sometimes you didn't know which of them it was.

What mortal knew the way their fate line would run?

Unless the perfidious wolves have the temerity to disobey the High King's plans, we should meet Shalhassan's forces by the Latham in mid-wood with the wolves between us. If they aren't,' Diarmuid concluded, 'we blame anyone and everything except the plan.

Weariness, sometimes more than anything else, can bring an end to war.

Lazy poets try to elicit a reader's response with words designed to tug at the heart.

It is always difficult, even with the best will in the world, to look back a long way and see anything resembling the truth.