Jennifer A. Nielsen Quotes & Sayings
Enjoy the top 100 famous quotes, sayings and quotations by Jennifer A. Nielsen.
Famous Quotes By Jennifer A. Nielsen
Yeah, you're a regular Sherlock Holmes," Riq said.
"If you mean that I'm good at gathering clues for my brilliant deductions, then I take that as a compliment! — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Wh-wh-what's hap-pening t-t-to me?" Dak said.
"Oh," Sera said softly. "You've just had a Remnant. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
As they began to tie me, I wanted to yell out, to release some of my fear that way, but I held it in. Imogen wouldn't be that far from here yet, and I didn't want her to know what was about to happen.
If it was possible to scream on the inside, though, I was, and the sound of it was deafening. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
I will never sign anything over to you, ever, you dog-breath, rotting corpse of a king. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
I would love to be in public one day and see someone reading my book. I think that would be so ridiculously cool. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
The field was empty now. The grasses had been laid flat by more than one game played there, but in the center of it all, a single wildflower caught my attention. I was bright purple and stood erect where a hundred others around it had been smashed. I wondered if it had somehow escaped harm, or if it had been stepped on before but refused to lie down. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
The pirates wanted my life, Vargen wanted my country, and my regents wanted to paint rainbows over reality and claim all was well. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Nobody gives you respect in this life. You must take it, you must earn it, and then you must hold it sacred, because no matter how hard respect is to attain, it can be lost in an instant. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Darius was dead, and very soon she and I would meet as equals. But i had the feeling it wouldn't be a day she ended up celebrating — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Erick had underestimated the distance, both to the ground and the cliff above me, yet the texture of the cliff wall was better than I'd hoped for. Vines and plants grew dense and well rooted, and there were many rocks and missing chunks of earth. I didn't know whether I could make it to the top on one leg or not, but I thought it was a great day to try. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
History teaches us that people who make the brave choices are heroes. We study history to know the stories of those who stood face-to-face with real villains and won. We study history so that when it's time for us to make the hard choice, we'll know that we can do it, too.
But then it hit him. History wasn't just about understanding the past. It was about understanding the future, his future. It was about having the tools to shape the future. And all he had to know was that when it came time for him to make choices, he would make the heroic choice, just as the greatest people throughout history had done. No matter what changed in the past, his future hadn't yet been written. He had to shape it, bit by bit.
- Dak — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Once Conner was dragged out of the room, I directed the musicians to play. Then, exhausted, I fell into my father's throne. No, my throne. I was king now. The reality of that was incomprehensible. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
You stole it from the master."
"Who stole it from me. What I did simply set the universe back in order. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Our country is Germany
one country that should be reunited. We don't belong to Moscow or to the west. We belong to ourselves and I have never betrayed that. This tunnel has taken every ounce of courage we have. We're not cowards. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Kippenger suppressed a grin
I could've sworn he did. Without looking at anyone, he said, "Jargon wrote, 'You'll get nothing from me, ever, you dog-breath, rotted corpse of a king.'"
Vargas flowered at me. In return, I smiled and looked around the room, rather proud of myself for that. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Any number of hours later, Mott came with a rock that he said was as shiny as the one I'd had before. He pointed out that it was a little bigger than the other one and looked more valuable. I could have this rock. I only had to return the other one to Conner. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
I realized that I couldn't expect them to think better of me that I thought of myself. So if I believed I was too young or stupid or inexperienced to be a captain, then that's all I would ever be. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
If you hurt deeply, then it means you love deeply too. love is powerful thing, Jaron. In the end, love will help you win this war."
I chuckled, "that'd be a fine new strategy, I think. When the enemy wields a sword against me, I'll simply express my love for them. They'll be so shocked, they'll collapse on the spot and the victory will be mine."
"I daresay you will be the first to claim victory that way — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Roden wasn't convinced. "How big of a fuss will this require?"
[Jaron] grinned. "Catastrophic levels of bad behavior Trust me, it'll be fun."
"You have a sick idea of fun." Roden's cool expression seemed less than enthusiastic. "When we do this, will they hurt us?"
That made me sigh. "You're the captain of my guard, aren't you? Surely you can take a few hits by now. Besides, the pain will be forgotten once the ropes go around our necks"
"I don't want a rope going around my neck, Jaron! That's the part you need to figure out. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Let's begin with an easy agreement. Before his death, your father and I were negotiating for a small area of land on our borders, near Libeth. The Carthyan land has a spring that my farmers need for their crops. Carthya has other spings nearby, so you won't miss it."
"My father wouldn't have missed it, but I would," I said, with no actual idea of what spring he meant. "It happens to be my favourite water source in all of Carthya, and I won't part with it. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
You'll address me by my title," I said sharply. "And bow until your pointed chin scrapes the floor. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
A person can be educated and still be stupid, and a wise man can have no education at all. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Sal could have killed me for trying to escape the mines, but he didn't. I'd certainly given him plenty of reasons to do it before then as well. I had to help him now. The — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Wherever our lives lead us, one thing is certain. You and I will always be connected. You might be able to deny that, but I can't. Even I am not that good a liar. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
This is real, then?" Jaron's heart pounded, though he couldn't tell whether it was from sadness or fear for his future. "When you leave, I'm no longer Prince Jaron. I'll be nothing but a commoner. An orphan. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
That brought a faint smile to my face. Then let's hope Conner chooses Roden, so that Carthya has some hope of an honerable king. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Tomorrow we will rejoin the war. So it's time to decide who you are. Will you be carried off by this wind coming at us, or stand and face it? — Jennifer A. Nielsen
How will it look to everyone at dinner if the servant who left with Amarinda fails to return?
How will it look if that servant's bandages bleed through and he drips blood on Conner's dinning table? — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Hail His Majesty, the scourge of my life," Conner said to Roden and Tobias as he stomped up the stairs. "I fear the devils no longer, because I have the worst of them right here in my home! — Jennifer A. Nielsen
This is for you." i pressed the stone in Kerwyn's hand.
Kerwyn turned it over in his hands, unimpressed. "imatator's gold? It's worthless."
"No, it's real gold. I am real Kerwyn."
...
He pulled a creased and worn paper from his pocket and unfolded it. His hands shook increasingly as he read it. Then he turned to the audience and said,
"This note was given to me by King Eckbert
...
to read it only if someone ever came forward claiming to be the prince. This is what it says." He read aloud,
"'Many may one day claim to be the lost prince of Carthya.
...
You will know the Prince Jaron by one sign alone. He will give you the humblest of rocks and tell you it's gold.'"
...
"Lords and ladies of Carthya, I present to you the son of King Eckbert and Queen Erin. He is the lost royal of Carthya, who lives and stands before you. Hail, Prince Jaron. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Your pants are filthy, as if you rolled in the dirt before coming here. I would expect nothing less from the boy I remember — Jennifer A. Nielsen
No, my lady. If I cannot look at you as an equal, i will not look at you at all — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Everyone gets scared at times. It's only the fools who won't admit it. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Do you laugh at me?"
He was quiet for a moment and finally the tention drained from him. "No, Jaron," he said darkly. "I curse you with every breath I exhale, but I do not laugh. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
It would take entire lifetimes for the men of Carthya to deserve their women. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Above all else, I think that you are a compulsive liar."
My laughter was tense, but sincere. "Hardly. In fact, I consider myself a compulsive truth teller. It's only that everyone else seems compelled to misunderstand me. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Ah. How's your leg where I stabbed you?" "It hurts." "Good. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Erick: "I think I may grow to hate you before this is over."
Jaron/Sage: "But you don't already and that's got to be some sort of record. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Kneel, please," Connor said. "I wish to study you better."
Come as close to me as you'd like," I answered. "Study me here, on my feet."
"You won't kneel?"
"Would a prince?"
Conner raised his voice. "You're not a prince until I say so."
"I don't need you to say so, sir. As you see me standing here, I am the prince of Carthya. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
I follow my orders without question, as a good soldier would. You ask the same from your soldiers.'
'No, I ask them to be good people. That way if they follow my orders, I will know I am doing the right thing. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
I've got to go."
"Go where?"
"To go. I'd have just taken care of it myself, but it looks like you want to come along."
Mott cursed. "Wait for morning."
"Wish I could. I've been cursed with my mother's pea-size bladder. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
You made the right choice," Roden whispered. "Though you did choose his name rather quickly.
"He has a skinny neck. He'd have died faster." (Jaron)
"That's why you chose me? Because it'll take me longer to die?"
"Yes, Roden, that's exactly why."
"Enough bickering!" (Vargan) — Jennifer A. Nielsen
With introductions out of the way, Erick got down to the business of having abducted me.
"Why were you asking Fink about the priest?"
"I have some sins to confess," I said. "For ruining the life of the last man to kidnap me. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
How is it that you can see your enemies so clearly and never your friends? — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Once we were alone, Imogen unfolded her hand. In it, she held the key to the chains. I had passed it to her while we were in the embrace. Roden noticed it and scowled. "You gave her the key and not me? I could be free already."
I smiled at him. "Yes, but I wasn't going to kiss you."
"Fair enough — Jennifer A. Nielsen
When we drew up to the soldiers, Felix told them who he was and about the griffin he was bringing in. A soldier eyed me. You have new slaves too? — Jennifer A. Nielsen
But eventually I nudged the old bandages in the corner toward me. Once I had them in my hands, I unwound them to their full length.
"What are you doing with those?" Roden asked, "You're not injured."
"The vigils are forbidden from harming me tonight. Vargan was very clear that I wasn't to come out tomorrow looking like a martyr." My grin widened." But don't worry, Avenia already fell for this trick once before. They love it."
"That's your trick?" Roden asked. "Can't you take this seriously?"
"If you understood what Vargan's men did to me, you'd know exactly how serious I am."
"Hush now," I said. "Imogen needs to sleep, I need to think and you need to ... let me think. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
There's an old saying in Avenia that goes, Just because it's calmer than a hailstorm doesn't mean it's calm. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Is it true?" Devlin asked me. "You're Prince Jaron?"
"KING Jaron, actually. News must travel slower amongst the illiterate." I glared at Gregor with every inch of disdain I felt. "Shouldn't you be groveling to me or bowing or something?"
Gregor smiled. "I think before I have the chance, you will already be dead."
"Ah. So much for all your toasts to my long life. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
By now, Gregor had recovered. "Sage? Devlin, forgive my accusation, but you are a fool. Don't you know who this is?"
Devlin didn't appear to forgive the accusation. With a sneer on his face, he folded his arms and said, "Enlighten me."
Gregor looked at me and frowned. "He can perform the Avenian accent as well as his own Carthyan tongue. And although he has a reputation for being able to steal the white off snow if he chooses to, this boy is far from being a mere thief. Devlin, you are facing the boy who has haunted the pirates for the past four years. This is Jaron, the lost prince of Carthya. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Not friends. Nor did I have any idea of how to fix things with her, if that was even possible. Conner lowered his voice and continued, — Jennifer A. Nielsen
The last thing I needed was rational thought. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Mincemeat!" Dak said. "Yes, Sera, you're brilliant! So am I, by the way. We're still waiting on Riq. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Conner answered, "Mrs. Turbeldy warned me that you have a history of running away. Where did you go?"
To the church of course. To confess my sins. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
If he put us in dresses, we wouldn't suddenly become women — Jennifer A. Nielsen
You eat with your left hand. That's unacceptable. Can you do it with your right?"
"Can you do it with your left? — Jennifer A. Nielsen
You're such a young king. I barely remember being your age."
"Then clearly we're talking about how old you are, not how young I am. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
I can't do that," I said. "Who'll make sure Tobias gets back safely? He can hardly cross a road without endangering himself. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
You were wrong, commander. Whatever chains you try to place on me, I will always, always, rise from them. I'm not buying my freedom, because you never owned it. But I am taking it back, for me, and for my country. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
And I want you to find something in the hills for the vigils to protect, like a rock or a thornbush. I don't want them around here. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
It's your storm, and the future of us all depends on you now. So who are you? Sage, an orphan boy who cares only for himself? Or the undisciplined, rebellious prince your father sent away? Life has tested your resilience and strength and willpower, and you have succeeded in ways nobody ever thought possible. But the storm has never been worse, and it will either destroy you, or define you. When everything is taken from you, can you still stand before us as Jaron, the Ascendant King of Carthya? — Jennifer A. Nielsen
The saddest thing is there won't be anyone to miss us when we're gone. No family, no friends, no one waiting at home."
"It's better that way," I said. "It'll be easier for me, knowing my death doesn't add to anyone's pain."
"If you can't give anyone pain, then you can't give them joy either. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
I won't start the battle, but if it comes, I'll finish it. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
I risked my life for you. So don't you ever again disrespect the risks I took by claiming you weren't worth it! — Jennifer A. Nielsen
If I don't stand for freedom, then I must sit in chains. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
I replied with an Avenian accent. "Is the priest of this church still here?"
"No." He squinted at me. "Never seen you before. You from out of town?"
"I've never seen you before either," I said. "So maybe you're the one from out of town."
That amused him. "My name is Fink. Well, that's not really m name, but it's what everyone calls me."
"What's your name, then."
"Dunno. Everyone just calls me Fink."
"Don't you have anywhere else to go?"
"Not really. Why d'you want the priest?"
"A doctrinal question. What punishment does the Book of Faith recommend for a kid who's being too nosy? — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Ust because it's possible doesn't mean its wise — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Real spies don't have all the cool gadgets you see in the movies," Dak said, watching Sera struggle with the lock. "Though I sure wish we had a sonic screwdriver right about now. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Let the winds blow, lad
Let fall the deep snow.
Let the stars fall, lad
We'll answer the call.
Let the dark come, lad
Ask not where it's from.
After the fight, lad
We'll see morning's light — Jennifer A. Nielsen
I never denied being a fool. That's the difference between us. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
I can't follow behind Terrowic's horse," I protested. "The smell will be unbearable." "All horses smell the same," Kippenger replied. But I eyed Terrowic. "I wasn't talking about the horse. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
You are the biggest fool of a boy I've ever known," Mott said. Then his tone softened. "But you will serve Carthya well."
"I wish I felt ready to do this," I said. "The closer we come to the moment, the more I see every defect in my character that caused my parents to send me away in the first place."
"From all I'm told, the prince they sent away was selfish, mischievous, and destructive. The king who returns is courageous, noble, and strong."
"And a fool," I added
Mott chuckled. "You are that too. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
I couldn't see much, but it somehow seemed brighter across the wall, as if the sun gave more of it's light to the west. Maybe the people there were more selfish, I thought. Because we needed that sunlight far more than they did. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
You wouldn't want to be king of my country," I said.
"Why is that?"
"Well, you're rather fat. I doubt you'd fit onto my throne. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
I'm still a king. My title isn't determined by my crown; it's in my blood. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
It's better that your queen pretends to love you, because if she truly did, she would only love a lie. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Avenia thinks they're battling a king. I doubt they're prepared to fight a boy who thinks childish pranks are practical strategies for war."
"Aren't they? — Jennifer A. Nielsen
My hands folded into fists. "As king, that is my order."
"Forgive me, but the king's order is the most reckless thing he's ever said, which we both know is quite an accomplishment. If you want to stop me from dragging you back to Drylliad, then you'll have to kill me here."
"I can't do that," I said. "Who'll make sure Tobias gets back safely? He can hardly cross a road without endangering himself."
"I can too," Tobias said. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Sage: "Conner's held you down for so long, you've forgotten what it's like to breathe free air."
Imogen: "And you've given your life to his control forever. You'll never breathe free air again. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Any chance we can bypass the cruelest method of death and settle this over a game of cards? — Jennifer A. Nielsen
One of the greatest kings?" My smile widened. "That's it? Why not the greatest?"
"This will only make your arrogance worse, I'm sure."
"Really? Do you think that's possible? — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Afraid of a wooden sword?"
"Just demonstrating my skills in evading an attack. Impressed? — Jennifer A. Nielsen
He's no king," I said. "Rulers aren't made just because they sit on the throne. A true king serves his people, protects them, and sees to their happiness if he can. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Kerwyn pulled me aside as the last of the supplies were being loaded. "Please, Jaron, don't go."
Despite his pleas, I could only shake my head. "There's no other choice now."
"I thought a little sleep would change your mind."
Placing my hand on Kerwyn's shoulder, I said, "I had the same concern, so I kept myself awake. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
We all smiled, but not that much, and frowned but rarely cried. Nobody could succeed here, but most people around me seemed to be okay with that . It meant they wouldn't fail either.
I didn't want to be like them. And at the same time, I was beginning to forget how to be different, how to be my own self. It was the feeling of being swallowed up, and I hated it. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Villains and plots and enemies are simple things to me. But friendships are complicated, and love is harder still. It has wounded me deeper than a sword ever could. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
She placed a hand on my cheek and softly kissed the other one, then whispered, Remember this moment, then, Sage, when someone of my status offered a kindness to someone of yours. Because next time we meet, if Darius is dead, I will no longer be anyone of importance. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
You should thank me for tolerating you. I had hoped that becoming a royal would cure your foul manners."
"That's interesting. My father hoped that stripping me of royalty would do the same thing. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
I haven't don anything wrong. At least, not for a few hours — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Finally I grinned and said, "I won't eat meat if it's been overcooked." She (Amarinda) glanced up at me, confused, and I added, "I thought you should know that, since we're going to be friends now."
Amarinda's smile widened. "I think it's unfair that women aren't allowed to wear trousers. They seem far more comfortable than dresses."
I chuckled. "They're not. Every year I think fashion invents one more piece I have to add to my wardrobe."
"And one more layer to my skirts." She thought for a moment, then said, "I think it's funny when you're rude to the cook. I shouldn't admit that, but his face turns all sorts of colors when you are and there's nothing he can do about it."
"He can overcook my meat. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Master Graves was incensed and said, as punishment for my disruption, I would have to write my letters an extra ten times that day.
"Ten times the better I'll know them, then." I said. "How strange that you should punish me by ensuring I come out more educated than Roden, who has tried to obey you. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Don't write for who your reader is. Write for what your reader wants to be. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
I thought you were from a civilized country," he said. "How have you come to look more like Carthya's whipping boy than its king?"
"I have a habit of irritating some of our less civilized people," I answered. "But you seem like a civilized ... pirate. I'd much prefer it if you didn't have me whipped."
"And why shouldn't I?"
With some effort, I forced a smile to my face. "Because it will hurt. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Her eyes scanned the dark skies. "Did it rain? Why are you all wet?"
"A nighttime bath."
"Fully dressed?"
"I'm modest. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Fink had a full bowl and grinned at me as he sat back on the bench. "It would help if you used words like 'please' and 'thank you.'"
"Then I'll thank you to please stay out of my business. — Jennifer A. Nielsen
Don't make this a fight."
"I won't, but you make everything a fight. — Jennifer A. Nielsen