And the kings were no better to their own people than they were to each others.
A consciousness was like a face you saw once and forever recognized.
It was a very hard thing to have crushed the heart, and the hopes, of a friend.
Mercy was more frightening than murder, because it was harder.
I'll teach you how to defend yourself, how to maim a man. We can use Po as a model.' 'Wonderful,' Po said. 'It's quite boring really, the way you beat me to death with your hands and feet, Katsa. It'll be refreshing to have you come at me with a knife.
The kingdoms' people were at the mercy of the natures of those who rose to be their rulers. It was a gamble, and the current generation did not make for a winning hand.