Always take responsibility for your past. It is your only collateral in life. Unless you despise yourself now, you cannot despise yourself then. Everything you did is a part of the process that brought you here. All your past is as alive and real as your so-called 'present.'

Die never for a god, Nikodemos who should know better - not your soldiers' god, nor any other.

All gods are tricksters, and war gods worst of any.

But she has found real love, and love can heal and save.

I want to live like a man.

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?

Every man heals himself.