More men have been defeated by reports than all the steel of all the swords in history.

Altruism accrues little benefit to those lying cold in the gutter.

Some loves come unbidden like winds from the sea, and others grow from the seeds of friendship.

Every person you encounter, whom you interact with, is there to teach you something. Sometimes it may be years before you realize what each had to show you.

My dear dead mother wanted me to go into an honorable trade, like grave robbing. Would I listen? No. Be an assassin, like your uncle Gustav, she said. Would I pay heed? No. Apprentice to the Necromancer―

You would do well to know, Marcus, that irritating a better swordsman than yourself is a good way to end up dead.

The past can be a terrible weight bound to you by an unbreakable chain. You can drag it with you, forever looking over your shoulder at what holds you back. Or you can let it go and move forward. It’s your choice.