This may be my only chance to see humans before these two are made into fertilizer for Moonwind's rosebushes.

Sweetheart, never listen to what my enemies say. They're very confused people. I know they are because I've spent years making them that way.

You're more trouble than you're worth." "I'm a girl. That's my job.

That's all this job is, Daine," she explained. "Trying to please everyone and pleasing no one. And it will only get worse, not better.

I will be known forever as the Puppy who chased a cutpurse and caught fish garbage instead. My descendants will pretend I'm not in their bloodline. No – no one will want to make descendants with me. [from Beka Cooper's journal of her first day as a new Dog i.e. cop]

A cat understands how to be pleasant in the morning. He doesn't talk.

It's always better to attack than to defend," Coram had told her when they talked about fencing late at night. "Always. Ye don't win with defense--ye only hold the other feller off, or wear him down. Attack and have done with it!