And personally, I've lost my thirst for vengeance.

If the gods sent you to fight here, then the gods are fools.

These Stepsons tread where mortals don't belong, some of us think. They seek out battle high above their station. Who knows what powers may yet take them and their mystic allies to task, bring them their comeuppance?

Valor was in Nikodemos, unquestionable, and commitment like trees to stand or night to fall.

"Learn what can, and cannot, be asked from destiny."

The meaning of life, Nikodemos, is to live life with meaning. The purpose of life is merely to live it, perhaps to give it.

Niko's angular face caught a flicker of firelight and Tempus saw his future there: sharp purpose, discipline, and power in perfect balance; love of man and gods, and mercy transcending all. If war ever wore a more humane face, this one would make it so.