We pay for sins we do not remember, and seek to do a will we can scarce fathom. That is what it is, to be a god's chosen.

A nervous silence loosens tongues

It is a comfort, in anguish, to be reminded of the scale of one's own troubles against the mighty breadth of the world.

We may not have demon fathers dangling offers of infernal power before us, but everyone understands what it means to struggle with temptation or resist the urge to give in to our baser natures.

To my surprise, Joscelin rose. ‘Phedre-’ He began, then halted. Sitting below him, I watched him smile to himself, quiet and private. ‘Phedre yields with a willow’s grace,’ he said softly. ‘And endures with the strength of mountains. Without her, life would be calm; and yet lack all meaning.

Even a stunted tree reaches for sunlight.

Are you a minor character in my tale, or am I a lesser figure in yours?