Michael J. Sullivan Quotes & Sayings

Maeve could have lost a race with a tree — Michael J. Sullivan

And I wish to thank you as well, Royce."
He was puzzled. "For what?"
"For reminding me that anyone, no matter what they've done, can find redemption if they seek it. — Michael J. Sullivan

Alenda reminded herself that "normal" no longer existed. If she should see a bear in a feather cap riding a chicken, that too might be normal now. — Michael J. Sullivan

No one said a word for some time. Everyone stared at Hadrian in wonder, including Albert, whose mouth hung agape.

It was the duchess who finally found words to sum up their collective thoughts. "Well, aren't you just an astonishment topped with surprises! — Michael J. Sullivan

What is your name?"

"Finally decided to ask, eh?" Hadrian chuckled.

"I will need to know if I am going to book you passage."

"I can take care of that myself. Assuming, of course, you are actually taking me to a barge and not just to some dark corner where you'll clunk me on the head and do a more thorough job of robbing me."

Pickles looked hurt. "I would do no such thing. Do you think me such a fool? First, I have seen what you do to people who try to clunk you on the head . Second, we have already passed a dozen perfectly dark corners. — Michael J. Sullivan

You don't win battles with hate. Anger and hate can make you brave, make you strong, but they also make you stupid. You end up tripping over your own two feet. (Hadrian) — Michael J. Sullivan

Good afternoon," Hadrian offered, but no one replied. No one smiled.

Some whispered in the shelter of doorways. Mothers pulled children inside and men picked up pitchforks or axes.

"This is where you grew up?" Arista whispered to Hadrian. "Somehow it seems more like how I would imagine Royce's hometown to be."

This brought a look from Royce.

"They don't get too many travelers here," Hadrian explained.

"I can see why. — Michael J. Sullivan

You don't believe in right and wrong? Good and bad?"

"Sure, right is what's good for me, and bad is what I don't like, and those things are very, very wrong ."

"You really were raised by wolves, weren't you?"

"Yes, I was. — Michael J. Sullivan

That's why you shouldn't make vows. The moment you do, fate starts conspiring to shove them down your throat. — Michael J. Sullivan

Life is all about conflict. The pursuit of happiness - that's life, not the achievement. It's all about the journey, my friend. — Michael J. Sullivan

That night there was more than one killer in the forest, the next day a lot more ghosts.
The Book of Brin — Michael J. Sullivan

Mystics were about as common as two-headed unicorns. The few who existed lived apart from the world of men, remaining untainted by influence and corruption. Having a wolf as her best friend demonstrated the sort of wisdom he appreciated. — Michael J. Sullivan

And you? Did you find the doorknob?"
Hadrian picked up a jug and downed several swallows, drinking so quickly some of the water dripped down his chin. He poured some in his palm and rinsed his face, running his fingers through his hair.
"I didn't even get close enough to see a door."
"Well, look on the bright side" - Hadrian smiled - "at least you weren't captured and condemned to death this time."
"That's the bright side?"
"What can I say? I'm a glass-half-full kinda guy. — Michael J. Sullivan

She put her hand on his shoulder and gave a soft squeeze. She did not know what else to do. First her mother, then her father and Fanen, and finally Hilfred - they were all gone. Mauvin was slipping away as well. The boy who loved his sword more than Wintertide presents, sweet chocolate cake, or swimming on a hot day refused to touch it anymore. The eldest son of Count Pickering, who had once challenged the sun to a duel because it had rained on the day of a hunt, spent his days watching ducks. — Michael J. Sullivan

There are still eight of us," Guy pointed out. "Not exactly an even fight."
"I was thinking the same thing," Mauvin said. "Sadly, there's no one else here we can ask to join your side."
Guy looked at Mauvin, then Hadrian, for a long moment as the men glared across the ash at each other. Then he nodded and lowered his blade. "Well, I can see I'll have to report your misconduct to the archbishop."
"Go ahead," Hadrian said. "His body is buried with the rest of them just down the hillside. — Michael J. Sullivan

Each killing steals a bit of humanity until a murderer is nothing more than an animal. A hunger replaces the spirit. A want for what was lost, but as with innocence, the soul can never be replaced. Joy, love, and peace flee such a vessel and in their stead blooms a desire for blood and death. — Michael J. Sullivan

A - ris - ta?" Degan asked, sounding horse. "What is it?"
"A rat bit me," she said, once again shocked by her own rasping voice.
"Jasper does that if - " Gaunt coughed and hacked. After a moment, he
spoke again. "If he thinks you're dead or too weak to fight."
"Jasper?"
"I call him that, but I've also named the stones in my cell."
"I only counted mine," Arista said.
"Two hundred and thirty-four," Degan replied instantly.
"I have two hundred and twenty-eight."
"Did you count the cracked ones as two?"
"No. — Michael J. Sullivan

I hope you're planning on heading to the kitchens. I'm starved - practically eating my fingers here. He chuckled. — Michael J. Sullivan

Wake up, buddy," Royce whispered, nudging him. Hadrian was damp with sweat.

"About time you got here. I was starting to think you ran off and left me."

"I considered it, but the thought of Magnus as my best man kinda forced the issue. Nice haircut, by the way. It looks good on you - very knightly. — Michael J. Sullivan

You're too arrogant for your own good," Galien accused him defensively. "The man is an imperial wizard. What he is capable of is beyond your comprehension. For all we know, he may have been visiting her in the form of a butterfly in the garden or a moth that entered her bedroom window each night. We had to be sure."

"A butterfly?" Saldur said, genuinely amazed.

"He's a wizard. Damn you. That's what they do."

"I highly doubt - "

"The point is we didn't know for sure. — Michael J. Sullivan

When you expect nothing from the world - not the light of the sun, the wet of water, nor the air to breathe - everything is a wonder and every moment a gift. — Michael J. Sullivan

And now she has you seizing control of my army."
"Your army? I thought this was Gaunt's."
"So did he. — Michael J. Sullivan

That was why nights were so frightening. Without the distraction of light, the doors to other senses were unlocked. — Michael J. Sullivan

Love is the degree to which you are willing to sacrifice your own interests for those of another. It doesn't matter what sex you are. It doesn't matter who you are, or were. It only matters that you care more for someone else than you do for yourself. It's when you eat minlatta with tarragon oil even when you hate pasta because someone with you enjoys it. It's when you value being alone more than anything but agree to move in with someone because they need you. And believe this, Ellis Rogers, for I am quite certain that love is most certainly when you push away the one person in all the world you want to be with because you think your thoughts would cause them pain. — Michael J. Sullivan

' Bout time you married someone and stopped tempting every man from here to the Blue Sea," Padera said, slurring the words through toothless gums. "You know, wars have started over women like you."
Moya scoffed. "You're so full of crap, old woman."
"Brin?" Padera called.
Brin tore her eyes away from the doorway. "Augusta of Melen, daughter of Chieftain Eisol, started the Battle of the Red River when she refused to marry Theo of Warric. When Theo's father was killed in the fight, Theo vowed vengeance and summoned all of Clan Warric to his banner. This resulted in what became known as the Ten Year War, which claimed the lives of a thousand men and instigated a famine that lasted two years. — Michael J. Sullivan

Royce dismounted and handed the reins of his horse to Hadrian. "I'm going to scout up ahead and make sure there are no surprises waiting." He left with surprising swiftness in a hunched run. He entered the shadows of the ravine and vanished.

"How does he do that?" Alric asked.

"Creepy, isn't it?" Hadrian said.

"How did he do what?" Myron stared at a cattail he had plucked just before they left the lakeside. "These things are marvelous, by the way. — Michael J. Sullivan

That living has no value - it's what you do with life that gives it worth. — Michael J. Sullivan

I never thought you cared all that much if I ever found Gaunt." Hadrian looked up at the tower again. "At least not that much."

"Honestly? I don't care at all. This whole quest of yours is stupid. So you find Gaunt - then what? You follow him around being his bodyguard for the rest of your life? What if he's like Ballentyne? Wouldn't that be fun? Granted it'll be exciting, as I'm sure anyone with a sword will want to kill him, but who cares? There's no reward, no point to it. You feel guilt - I kinda get that. You ran out on your father and you can't say you're sorry anymore. So for that, you'll spend your life following this guy around being his butler? You're better than that."

"I think there was a compliment in there somewhere - so thanks. — Michael J. Sullivan

Royce nodded. "Invest in crossbows. Next time stay hidden and just put a couple bolts into each of your target's chests. All this talking is just stupid."
"Royce!" Hadrian admonished.
"What? You're always saying I should be nicer to people. I'm trying to be helpful. — Michael J. Sullivan

The gods - if they existed - detested happiness. — Michael J. Sullivan

I knew him, you know, your beloved Novron. Ah, but yes, you already discovered that little fact. Here's something the books won't tell you. He was an ass. — Michael J. Sullivan

Royce turned to Hadrian. "It's supposed to make them look tough, but all it really does is make it easy to identify them as thieves for the rest of their lives. Painting a red hand on everyone is pretty stupid when you think about it."
"That tattoo is supposed to be a hand?" Hadrian asked. "I thought it was a little red chicken. But now that you mention it, a hand does make more sense."
Royce looked back at Will and tilted his head to one side. "Does kinda look like a chicken. — Michael J. Sullivan

Right. And our first job is to teach her to give a speech on the Grand Balcony in three days."
"That does not sound too difficult. Has she done much public speaking?"
Amilia forced a smile. "A week ago she said the word no. — Michael J. Sullivan

Standing in the middle of the cellar with a sickened look on his face, Alric said, "I can't believe I'm being subjected to this."

"Consider it a vacation," Hadrian suggested. "For at least one day you get to pretend you are nobody, a common peasant, the son of a blacksmith perhaps."

"No," Royce said, preparing his own sleeping space but keeping his boots on. "They might expect him to know things like how to use a hammer. And look at his hands. Anyone could tell he was lying."

"Most people have jobs that require the use of their hands, Royce," Hadrian pointed out. He spread his cloak over himself and turned on his side. "What could a common peasant do that monks wouldn't know the first thing about and wouldn't cause calluses?"

"He could be a thief or a whore."

They both looked at the prince, who cringed at his prospects. "I'm taking the cot," Alric said. — Michael J. Sullivan

Mouse?" Royce muttered. "I just can't seem to get rid of this horse, can I? — Michael J. Sullivan

Hadrian was not convinced but knew there was no reason to argue further. Gwen was not the type for debate. Most women he knew invited discussion and even enjoyed arguments, but not Gwen. There was clarity to her thinking that let you know she had already made her own journey to the inevitable conclusion and was just politely waiting there for you to join her. In her own way, she was much like Royce - except for the polite waiting. — Michael J. Sullivan

When the dead betray the living, the victims are memories.
The Book of Brin — Michael J. Sullivan

How can you regret never having found true love? That's like saying you regret not being born a genius. People don't have control over such things. It either happens or it doesn't. It's a gift - a present that most never get. It's more like a miracle, really, when you think of it. I mean, first you have to find that person, and then you have to get to know them to realize just what they mean to you - that right there is ridiculously difficult. Then ... then that person has to feel the same way about you. It's like searching for a specific snowflake, and even if you manage to find it, that's not good enough. You still have to find its matching pair. What are the odds? — Michael J. Sullivan

You realize the moment you dropped that book, we stopped being partners," Royce said.

"Oh yeah-you're right. Huh. I should have left you for dead after all."

"What's the real reason? Just before we started up, you said that you were going to kill me after the job. You were going to show me how you use that big sword."

"I did. Weren't you watching?"

"Yes, I was, but you were going to use it to kill me."

"Damn it-you're right. I forgot." Hadrian reached up weakly to touch the pommel of his sword. "Can we do that later? I'm pretty comfortable right now." He let his arm slap back on the grass.

"Why'd you come back? Why didn't you just leave?"

"This really bothers you, doesn't it?"

"Yes. Yes, it does. — Michael J. Sullivan

Royce hated keeping secrets from Hadrian, and it weighed heavily on his conscience, which was amazing, because he had never known he had one. Royce defined right and wrong by the moment. Right was what was best for him - wrong was everything else. — Michael J. Sullivan

When you leave," Gwen said, "take Mouse. Give Ryn's horse to Myron."

"What does Myron need with a horse?" he asked. Gwen just smiled, and Royce knew better than to question further. "Okay, but I'm warning you now. He'll spoil it rotten — Michael J. Sullivan

This isn't the future I'd expected. Even a glowing wasteland or Mad Max desolation would have been better. No God. No family. No country or patriotism. Just a bunch of Ken dolls without Barbies. The gays and their goddamn agenda won, or should I say transsexuals, or asexuals? Liberalism has run unchecked and ruined everything. You probably don't even have guns anymore, do you?" "Of course not, we have no weapons of any kind," Hex replied. — Michael J. Sullivan

You alive?" Hadrian asked.

"If I were dead, I don't think there'd be geese." Royce tilted his head up to catch the arrow of birds heading south. "But maybe they're evil geese."

"Evil geese?"

"We have no idea what goes on in the water fowl world. They might have been a gang that stole eggs or something."

"I'm guessing you have a fever. — Michael J. Sullivan

I notice you didn't include a blade with your new attire," Royce said. "Not even a little jeweled dagger."
"Lords no." Albert looked appalled. "I don't fight."
"I thought all nobles learned sword fighting." Royce looked to Hadrian.
"I thought so too."
"Nobles with competent fathers perhaps. I spent my formative years at my aunt's at Huffington Manor. She held a daily salon, where a dozen noble ladies came to discuss all manner of philosophical topics, like how much they hated their husbands. I've never actually held a sword, but I can tie a mean corset and apply face paint like a gold-coin whore. — Michael J. Sullivan

By the way, Payne is spelled with a y and an e - not with an i," he told them, coming to a stop before a rickety shack slapped together from warped boards and cracked stones, perhaps the only building in town not covered in ivy. The priest turned and eyed the two of them carefully, then sighed. "Doesn't matter, I suppose. Neither of you is literate, correct?" "Wrong," Royce said. "Really?" Pastor Payne pushed up his lower lip. "Down here, only those in the clergy know their letters. I would have assumed that - your sort - wouldn't." "Our sort?" Royce asked. "Paid killers," Payne explained. "That's what you are, correct? I was informed that at least one of you has worked in that capacity for the Black Diamond Thieves Guild. Isn't that right?" "And for that reason you assumed we're ignorant?" Royce said. The priest nodded with enthusiasm. "People who — Michael J. Sullivan

You broke into Drumindor?" Wyatt looked impressed. "I thought that was impossible."
"Just about," Royce answered, "and we didn't get paid enough for the trouble it gave me."
Hadrian snorted, "You? I was the one who nearly died making that leap. You just hung there and laughed. — Michael J. Sullivan

The claw slipped again. It came off the edge of the stone and Hadrian felt his stomach rise as he fell. He dropped less than two stories and landed in a thick pile of straw, but it still hurt. With the wind knocked from him, he lay staring up at the sky and the wall.
Royce's shadow crossed his face. "That was pathetic."
"You're enjoying this a little too much for me to think you're honestly trying to help."
"Trust me. I want you to improve. I want you to fall from much higher up. — Michael J. Sullivan

Royce scanned the interior. "Nobody home," he said at length.

"Wasn't last time either. I'm surprised they haven't tightened security up more."

"Oh yeah, a single break-in after centuries is something to schedule your guards around."

"They'll be kicking themselves tomorrow. — Michael J. Sullivan

Alric looked up at the thief with a scowl. "I just want to say for the record that as far as royal protectors go, you're not very good."
"It's my first day," Royce replied dryly.
"And already I'm trapped in a timeless prison. I shudder to think what might have happened if you had a whole week. — Michael J. Sullivan

Before you were born, the year ninety-two,
lost what was precious, and that what was new.
The blink of an eye, the beat of a heart,
Out went the candle, and guilt was my part.

A king and his knight went hunting a boar,
A rat and his friends were hunting for love.
Together they fought, till one was alive.
The knight sadly wept, no king had survived.

The answers to riddles, to secrets and more,
Are found in the middle of legends and love.
Seek out the answer, and learn if you can
The face of regret, the life of a man. — Michael J. Sullivan

What's going on?" Royce asked as throngs of people suddenly moved toward him from the field and the castle interior.
"I mentioned that you saw the thing and now they want to know what it looks like," Hadrian explained. "What did you think? They were coming to lynch you?"
He shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a glass-half-empty kinda guy."
"Half empty?" Hadrian chuckled. "Was there ever any drink in that glass? — Michael J. Sullivan

You think he's still alive?" Royce asked, nodding his head toward Alric.
"Sure," Hadrian replied without bothering to look. "He's probably sleeping. Why do you ask?"
"I was just pondering something. Do you think a person could smother in a wet potato bag?"
Hadrian lifted his head and looked over at the motionless prince. "I really hadn't thought about it until now. — Michael J. Sullivan

The abbot told me once that lying was a betrayal to one's self. It's evidence of self-loathing. You see, when you are so ashamed of your actions, thoughts, or intentions, you lie to hide it rather than accept yourself for who you really are. The idea of how others see you becomes more important than the reality of you. It's like when a man would rather die than be thought of as a coward. His life is not as important to him as his reputation. In the end, who is the braver? The man who dies rather than be thought of as a coward or the man who lives willing to face who he really is? — Michael J. Sullivan

You're a bastard, you know that?"

"Being an orphan, I have no idea, but you might be right. Now, can we eat? — Michael J. Sullivan

Come for your revenge at last, elf?"
Royce stepped forward. He looked down at Thranic and then around the room. "How could I top possibly top this? Sealed alive in a tomb of rock. My only regret is that I had nothing to do with it — Michael J. Sullivan

From now on, no talking," Royce told him, having to shout to be heard over the wind as he hoisted the coil over his head.

Is that supposed to be a joke? — Michael J. Sullivan

Will nodded toward Hadrian. Look at the swords he's carrying. A man wearing one - maybe he knows how to use it, maybe not. A man carries two - he probably don't know nothing about swords, but he wants you to think he does. But a man carrying three swords - that's a lot of weight. No one's gonna haul that much steel around unless he makes a living using them. — Michael J. Sullivan

I need your help."
Royce looked up as if his head weighed a hundred pounds, his eyes red, his face ashen. He waited.
"One last job," Hadrian told him, then added, "I promise."
"Is it dangerous?"
"Very."
"Is there a good chance I'll get killed?"
"Odds are definitely in favor of that."
Royce nodded, looked down at the scarf in his lap, and replied, "Okay. — Michael J. Sullivan

It was possible he had no idea his head was gathering material fit for a squirrel's nest; it was also possible he knew and thought it made him more attractive in a rustic, manly sense — Michael J. Sullivan

I think comfort can be a curse, an addiction that without warning or notice erodes hope. — Michael J. Sullivan

The moment the two men entered, she leapt from her seat, knelt, and bowed her head.

"Hey! Watch it, that's a new dress," Hadrian said with a smile.

"Oh!" She scrambled to her feet, blushing, then curtsied and bowed her head once more.

"What's she doing?" Royce whispered to Hadrian.

"Not sure," he whispered back.

"I'm trying to show the proper reverence, Your Lordships," she whispered to both of them while keeping her head down. "I'm sorry if I'm not very good at it."

Royce rolled his eyes and Hadrian began to laugh.

"Why are you whispering?" Hadrian asked her.

"Because you two were. — Michael J. Sullivan

Were you really that powerful before?" Esrahaddon showed him a wicked smile. "Oh, my dear boy, you couldn't begin to imagine. — Michael J. Sullivan

Gwen," Etta said, "I don't know what in the kingdom you were thinking when you told us to pack our stuff-you know we ain't got no stuff. — Michael J. Sullivan

What length will a mother go to on behalf of her child? How long is time? What is the depth of love? - — Michael J. Sullivan

Don't you see?" She addressed the entire room. "We either fight here and win, or die trying, because there won't be anything left if we fail. This is the moment. This is the crucial point where the future of yet unborn generations will be decided either by our action or inaction. For centuries to come, people will look back at this time and rejoice at our courage or curse our weakness." She looked directly at Royce now. "For we have the power. Here. Now. In this place. We have the power to alter the course of history and we will be forever damned should we not so much as try! — Michael J. Sullivan

Royce cast a harsh and anxious look at the prince.
"What?" Alric asked.
"I thought we discussed the importance of keeping a low profile."
"Oh, please." The prince waved a hand at the thief. "I don't think it will
get me killed if this monk knows I'm the king. Look at him. I've seen
drowned rats more formidable. — Michael J. Sullivan

You're not going to charge us for the tower, I hope," Hadrian said. "But if you are, it was Royce's fault and should come out of his share. — Michael J. Sullivan

I am officially turning him over to you. He's your problem now. You'll have to watch out for him and that won't be easy. He's naive, gullible, immature, horribly unsophisticated, ignorant about anything worth knowing, and idealistic to a fault." He paused to make a show of thinking harder. "He's also indecisive, pathetically honest, a horrible liar, and too virtuous for words. He gets up twice each night to relieve himself, wads his clothes rather than folds them, chews with his mouth open, and talks with his mouth full. He has a nasty habit of cracking his knuckles every morning at breakfast, and, of course, he snores. To remedy that, just put a rock under his blanket. — Michael J. Sullivan

They left us for dead, didn't they? We told them this would happen. We came all this way to try and save them. You'd think they'd have the decency to let us out when they saw we were right."

"Probably think we're behind it. We're lucky they didn't just kill us."

"Not sure that's lucky. A nice, quick decapitation is kind of appealing right now."

"How long do you think before the Ba Ran find us?" Royce asked.

"You in a hurry?"

"Yeah, actually. If I have to be eaten, I would sort of like to get it over with."

Hadrian heard the sound of breaking glass.

"Ah, well, that didn't take long, did it?" Royce muttered miserably.

Footsteps shuffled in the outer room. There was a pause, and then the steps started again, coming closer. There were sounds of a struggle and a muffled cry. Hadrian braced himself and watched the door as it opened. What stood in the doorway shocked him.

"You boys ready to go? — Michael J. Sullivan

Oh, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Slaying a villain in the service of your king is the stuff of legends and what heroes are made of." [Fanen told Myron]
"It didn't feel very heroic. It made me sick. I don't even know why I ... no, that's a lie. I really have to stop doing that." [Myron said]
"Doing what?"
"Lying. ( ... ) It's evidence of self loathing. You see, when you are so ashamed of your actions, thoughts, or intentions, you lie to hide it rather than accept yourself for who you really are. The idea of how others see you becomes more important than the reality of you.
"It's like when a man would rather die than be thought of a coward. His life is not as important to him as his reputation. In the end, who is the braver? The man who dies rather than be thought of as a coward or the man who lives willing to face who he really is?" [Myron finished]
"I'm sorry, you lost me there" Fanen said with a quizzical look. — Michael J. Sullivan

Success," he continued, "is achieved most consistently through cruelty and deception. Determination of the spirit certainly helps, but faith in Ferrol is a currency as valuable as a pair of shoes two sizes too small. — Michael J. Sullivan

She noticed the bandage on Mauvin's arm. "You're wounded?"

"More embarrassed than anything. But that's bound to happen when you're a Pickering fighting beside Hadrian. Doesn't really hurt that much, honest. — Michael J. Sullivan

You ready?" Royce asked. "For what?" "Turn around. Let's go back-to-back and link arms. — Michael J. Sullivan

City of Percepliquis

Ever sought, forever missed

Pick and shovel, dig and haul

Search forever, fall the wall.



Gala halted, city's doom

Spring warmth chilled with dust and gloom

Darkness sealed, blankets all

Death upon them, fall the wall.



Ancient stones upon the Lee

Dusts of memories gone we see

Once the center, once the all

Lost forever, fall the wall — Michael J. Sullivan

We've talked about this before, Royce," Arcadius yelled at him. "You aren't to hurt the students."
"You said don't kill," Royce replied. "If you don't want misunderstandings, then be specific. The little baron boy will live. Trust me, I know where to stick a knife. — Michael J. Sullivan

The empire took Rhenydd through deceit, murder, and trickery. I don't speak treason. I speak loyalty- loyalty to the monarchy. To sit by and let the empire rape this kingdom and burn this city is treason and, what's more, it's foolhardy cowardice! — Michael J. Sullivan

Why are you here?"
"Oh - I came to tell the chieftain we're going to die." The girl said it quickly and with the same casual indifference as if she were announcing that the sun sets in the evening.
Persephone narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me? What did you say? Who's going to die?"
"All of us."
"All of whom?"
"Us." The girl looked puzzled, but this time Persephone wasn't certain if it was the tattoos or not.
"You and I?"
Suri sighed. "Yes - you, me, the funny man with the horn at the gate, everyone. — Michael J. Sullivan

See, that's the difference," Mauvin said. "I suffer a loss and people console me. Royce suffers a loss and whole towns evacuate. — Michael J. Sullivan

Fools believe silence is a void needing to be filled; the wise understand there's no such thing as silence. — Michael J. Sullivan

After catching an arrow in the back and passing out in Tom the Feather's barnyard, Hadrian had woken up on a comfortable bed surrounded by lovely women. He thought he'd died and regretted every time he'd ever cursed Maribor's name. — Michael J. Sullivan

Raithe enjoyed a good campfire. Something comforting about the dancing light, the smell of smoke, and the way his face and chest were hot but his backside cold. He sensed a profound meaning in this duality as well as in the enigma of flickering flames. The fire spirit spoke in spitting sparks and shifts of choking smoke, but the meaning of each remained a mystery. Everything in nature was that way. All of it spoke to him
to everyone
in a language few could understand. What secrets, what wisdom, and what horrors might he learn if only he knew what it all meant. — Michael J. Sullivan

Myron took the moment to sit down on the stone bench behind him and whispered to Hadrian, You were right. Life outside the abbey is much more exciting than books. — Michael J. Sullivan

We'd get out of it." She stared at the huge bell for a moment and then added, "I hate the sound of that bell." A gusty breeze rustled the leaves and threw a lock of hair in her face. She brushed it back and turned away from the oak and the bell. "Over there" - she pointed — Michael J. Sullivan

(Hadrian Blackwater while poisoned) Gill the fish ... rest is best ... time is now ... it feels so good to ... — Michael J. Sullivan

She's different."
"Everyone is different."
"Then let's say I like the ways in which she's different. A wise man once told me no man can escape death, but it's how we run that defines us. And if I have to run, I think I'd like to go where she's going. — Michael J. Sullivan

You look concerned."
"Just that if you've started another war, I'd like a heads-up is all."
"The level of confidence you have in my diplomatic skills is overwhelming."
"What diplomatic skills? — Michael J. Sullivan

Another last-minute, good-deed job," Royce grumbled as he stuffed
supplies into his saddlebag.
"True," Hadrian said, slinging his sword belt over his shoulder, "but
this is at least a paying job."
"You should have told him the real reason we saved him from Trumbul
because we wouldn't see the hundred tenents otherwise."
"That was your reason. Besides, how often do we get to do royal contracts?
If word gets around, we'll be able to command top salaries."
"If word gets around, we'll be hanged. — Michael J. Sullivan

Royce looked back down at the stream below. "She doesn't even know me. What if she doesn't like me? Few people do."
"She might not at first. Maribor knows I didn't. But you have a way of growing on a person." He smiled. "You know, like lichen or mold. — Michael J. Sullivan

There you are!" he shouted at them. "Father has half the castle turned
out looking for you."
"Us?" Hadrian asked.
"Yes." Fanen nodded. "He wants to see the two thieves in his chambers
right away."
"You didn't steal the silver or anything, did you, Royce?" Hadrian
asked.
"I would bet it has more to do with your flirting with Lenare this afternoon
and threatening Mauvin just to show off," Royce retorted.
"That was your fault," Hadrian said, jabbing his finger at him. — Michael J. Sullivan

Sharks don't eat seafood because they like it, but because chicken can't swim. — Michael J. Sullivan

Stained upon my hands, the blood of innocents brands my soul with such a crime forgiveness gapes appalled. — Michael J. Sullivan

You accidentally punched him?" Wyatt asked, suppressing a chuckle. "I'm not sure you have a full understanding of the whole bodyguard thing. — Michael J. Sullivan

Oh my,' Myron said to Hadrian as he twisted to get a better view. 'I don't even think of horses when I look at her. — Michael J. Sullivan

Very slowly Royce pushed the door inward, peering through the gap. He looked left and right, then closed it once more and replaced the bolts.
"What is it?" Hadrian asked.
"He's right," Royce said dismally. "No one is getting through."
Thranic smiled and nodded until he was beset by another series of coughs that bent him over in pain.
"What is it?" Hadrian repeated.
"You're not going to believe it."
"What?"
"There's a
a thingy."
"A what?"
"You know, a thingy thing."
Hadrian looked at him, puzzled.
"A Gilarabrywn," Thranic said. — Michael J. Sullivan

That we're both right. One truth doesn't refute another. Truth doesn't lie in the object, but in how we see it. Hadrian — Michael J. Sullivan

Fulfillment comes from striving to succeed, to survive by your own wits and strength. Such things make each of us who we are." Using the blanket, he rubbed his hair. "You lose that in captivity, lose yourself, and that loss saps your capacity for joy. I think comfort can be a curse, an addiction that without warning or notice erodes hope. You know what I mean?" He looked at each of them, but no one answered. "Live with it long enough and the prison stops being the walls or the guards. Instead, it's the fear you can't survive on your own, the belief you aren't as capable, or as worthy, as others. I think everyone has the capacity to do great things, to rise above their everyday lives; they just need a little push now and then. — Michael J. Sullivan

Why does this always happen?" Royce asked. "Why are we always hanging on a wall, waiting to die by slow vivisection? I just want to point out that this was your idea - again."

"I've been waiting for that. But I believe I told you not to come." Hadrian shifted in his chains and sighed. "I don't suppose there's much chance of a beautiful princess coming in here and saving us again."

"That card's been dealt. — Michael J. Sullivan

And why would she do that?" Hadrian shouted to the upper story.
"She told you herself. Farlan was going to have the sheriff investigate." "Yeah, investigate you!"
"But I didn't kill anyone. Well, not anyone in Vernes ... well, not recently. — Michael J. Sullivan

Arcadius was nothing but an old hack, what Cenzars used to refer to as a faquin, an elven term for the most inept magician - knowledge without talent. — Michael J. Sullivan

How terrible it must be to give up your life when you've never taken the chance to live it. How cheated you must feel, like losing a coin before spending it. To what can you hang on to and feel pride? Nothing. - Mauvin on lack of Nobility — Michael J. Sullivan