But you're better than I am, Katsa. And it doesn't humiliate me. It humbles me. But it doesn't humiliate me.

King Drowden has given his men instructions to infiltrate the town, bribe townspeople for the secrets of their neighbors, steal the neighbors’ hidden treasures. Much more subtle than Drowden’s usual smash and burn technique. We do hope Drowden isn’t growing a brain.

Not all people who inspire devotion are monsters.

Garan snorted. "Now that we know about his indigestion, we can torture him with cake.

It was a strange monster, for beneath its exterior it was frightened and sickened by its own violence. It chastised itself for its savagery. And sometimes it had no heart for violence and rebelled against it utterly.

He leaned heavily on the desk now, as if danger had strengthened him before and its lack now made him weak.

I wouldn't marry Giddon to save my life," Katsa said. "Not even to save yours." "Well." Raffin's eyes were full of laughter. "I'd leave that part out.