Maria Snyder Quotes & Sayings

With a touch of sarcasm. Glass is an amazing material. Versatile, — Maria V. Snyder

I didn't know whether to feel smart for figuring out Kiki's advice, or feel like a simpleton for having a horse tell me the right thing to do — Maria V. Snyder

Valek leaned back in his chair and said to me, "I don't think I would have made it past the audition,Yelena. I probably would have set my hair on fire by this point."
"What's a singed head for the sake of art?" I teased. He laughed. — Maria V. Snyder

There will always be sharks in the water. Nothing you can do about it except be careful where you swim." "Your — Maria V. Snyder

As her newest apprentice, it had been my job to go to the market every morning. I had gotten all the jobs no one else wanted, but I had treated each task as if it had been essential to do well
a trick I had learned from my father. — Maria V. Snyder

You missed the point completely! You're acting ... " The word stuck in my throat.
He didn't hesitate to say it. "Jealous?" When I nodded, he continued. "Now you're missing the point. It isn't jealousy. It's fear."
"Fear?" Not the emotion I expected.
"Yes. Fear. I'm afraid you'll be hurt or killed. I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you. I'm afraid I'll lose you to another man. — Maria V. Snyder

Did you live here?" Leif asked. I nodded. "For two years"."Where did you stay?" "I had a room in Valek's suite." Leif shot me an incredulous look. "Boy, you worked fast. — Maria V. Snyder

You asked how I can be so calm. I don't have time not to be. I would like to grieve and worry and carry on, but that doesn't achieve results. — Maria V. Snyder

Your soul fits the void in my soul perfectly. — Maria V. Snyder

Yelena." I halted in the doorway, looking back over my shoulder.
"You once said I wasn't ready to believe your reason for killing Reyad. I'll believe you now."
"But I'm not ready to tell you," I said and left the room. — Maria V. Snyder

It can't be good news," Leif said. "I'd doubt you would brave the weather just to say hello."
"You opened the door before I could knock," I said. "You must know something's up."
Leif wiped the rain from his face. "I smelled you coming."
"Smelled?"
"You reek of Lavender. Do you bathe in Mother's perfume or just wash your cloak with it?" he teased.
"How mundane. I was thinking of something a little more magical. — Maria V. Snyder

I am a Stormdancer! Mere metal is nothing compared with the power of a storm." Kade made his voice boom and spread his arms wide. His eyes sparked with humor. "I. Am. Invincible."
"Until a happy wind blows," I said.
"Curse those sunny days."
"The bane of your existence."
"The scourge of society."
"The downfall of decency."
"And boring, too. Nothing like a good gale to put a spring in your step." Kade grinned. — Maria V. Snyder

I'm your mother. I see all. Hear all. Know all. — Maria V. Snyder

How did you-"
Fool your guards? They're not very good, the forgot to check the ceiling for spiders."Valek grinned. His angular face softened. — Maria V. Snyder

Followed a step behind. My thoughts churned as my emotions seesawed — Maria V. Snyder

I needed to sit down. I'd heard other people talk about having to sit down when shocked by an event or revelation and I had dismissed the notion as pure exaggeration. Little did I realize the actual physical weakness. It felt as if my bones had dissolved and my muscles could no longer support my weight. — Maria V. Snyder

I found a few springs of rosemary and returned. Ignoring the collective sigh when I appeared, I stripped off the leaves and handed them to Loren.
He sniffed them in suspicion. "What's this?"
I guess it would take more than my word for them to trust me, "Rosemary." No glimmer of recognition. "It's to make your stew taste better. Don't you know the basic herbs and spices?"
"No. I took this job in self-defence. Quain burns everything. Belen thinks jerky is all we need to survive. Flea's idea of good meal is something that hasn't been in garbage can first. And Kerrick poisoned us
"
"Not on purpose." Kerrick said. "The meat looked done. — Maria V. Snyder

Blue Eyes pulled his sword back and tried another lunge. I pushed the weapon toward the ground, but again he flicked his wrist. A line of fire blazed on my right arm. Wonderful. Matching cuts.
He paused with his sword held in midair. My blood stained the tip.
I glanced past him. Didn't anyone hear the fight? Should I scream?
"Submit? You will have so many cuts on your arms and legs, you will faint from lack of blood."
"No. — Maria V. Snyder

Care to explain?" Ari asked.
"Didn't you see my signals?"
"Yeah. But they didn't make sense. Five into one and it's an intrusion."
"It's an illusion! Five of them are an illusion."
"That's not the signal for illusion. This is." Ari demonstrated the proper signal.
"That's what I did."
"No, you didn't. You did a weird twisty thing with your pinky."
"I had a scimitar at my throat. I'd like to see you try signaling under those conditions."
-Janco and Ari bickering — Maria V. Snyder

You could put the sass into assassin — Maria V. Snyder

I took three steps and was wrapped in his arms, where I belonged. No confusion here. No worries here. No troubles here. — Maria V. Snyder

Many have tried to kill us. All have failed.
-Valek — Maria V. Snyder

Good food, fresh water, an occasional sweet and someone to care for. That's what everyone should have. — Maria V. Snyder

He was the test I hadn't studied for, the quiz I was bound to fail. Out of my depth. — Maria V. Snyder

Valek smiled. "Good. First, send Kade a reply, asking
him not to come." He pointed at the unopened letter on the table. I had forgotten about it. Sealed with wax, the message appeared
to be secured. Valek shrugged. "I was bored. — Maria V. Snyder

Valek's thoughts returned to Yelena. An icy finger of loneliness touched the emptiness inside him. She was in Sitia, where she needed to be to learn about her magical powers, but she had taken his heart with her. — Maria V. Snyder

After almost two hours of creeping around the forest, one of the jacks discovered Belen. He had fallen asleep, and the young man had literally tripped over him. So much for his reputation. — Maria V. Snyder

My cheek stung and throbbed. I remained on the floor of the cave. Belen stood between me and Kerrick.
" ... temper in check. She's a sweet girl," Belen said.
"She's a healer, Belen. And no longer a girl. Healing Ryne is all I care about. All you should care about, as well. You know-"
"Yes, I know what's at stake." Belen spat the words. "But if you raise your hand to her again, I'll rip your arm from its socket. — Maria V. Snyder

You have slipped under my skin, invaded my blood, and seized my heart. You have poisoned me. — Maria V. Snyder

Valek had learned the best way to distribute information was to classify it as secret. — Maria V. Snyder

Yippee. I've been promoted from fire lighter to delivery boy. I'll write a letter home to Mother. She'll be so pleased.
Leif — Maria V. Snyder

Anyway, the odds were against you. Most lost big, while only a few - " Rand paused dramatically " - won big."

"Since you're here, I suppose you won big."

He smiled. "Yelena, I'm always going to bet on you. You're like one of the Commander's terriers. A tiny, yappy dog you wouldn't look at twice, but once it grabs your pant leg, it won't let go."

"Poison the dog's meat and it won't bother you anymore. — Maria V. Snyder

Words are easy. It's convincing the heart that's hard. — Maria V. Snyder

I did what any good rat would do. I bit down on the guard's hand until I tasted blood. — Maria V. Snyder

Fear can be a big motivator. — Maria V. Snyder

Reviewing our fight, I asked Janco, Why do you rhyme when you fight? — Maria V. Snyder

Ari said you screamed and raved a lot while he took care of you. In fact, he said that if Reyad was alive today, he'd gut the bastard without a moment's hesitation. I just thought you might want to know." Janco gave me a brotherly kiss on the forehead and left. — Maria V. Snyder

only one way to find out — Maria V. Snyder

Don't worry. I'm only your escort tonight. I would offer to protect you from the drunken attentions of the other men, but I know all to well that you're quite capagble of holding your own. You're probably armed. Right?
Always. — Maria V. Snyder

There's always another storm. It's the way the world works. Snowstorms, rainstorms, windstorms, sandstorms, and firestorms. Some are fierce and others are small. You have to deal with each one separately, but you need to keep an eye on whats brewing for tomorrow. — Maria V. Snyder

Oh, you made an impression. Like a stone caught in my boot. — Maria V. Snyder

Pretty stupid," I called after his retreating form. "To give up before all possible solutions have been tried. — Maria V. Snyder

Why is she convinced Ambrose is out to get her" Leif asked
"Ambrose?" Yelena raised a slender eyebrow. She carried a tray of tea and fruit. "You're on a first name basis with the Commander now?"
"I usually call him Amby, but not in mixed company. — Maria V. Snyder

You're right. And so was my snake."
Snake?"
He pulled my arm out to expose my bracelet. "When I carved this my thoughts were on you, love. Your life is like this snake's coils. No matter how many turns it makes, you'll end up back where you belong. With me. — Maria V. Snyder

When we reached the beach, Leif fell to his knees with a dramatic cry. "Solid ground! I'll never take you for granted again."
"Are you going to kiss the sand?" I asked.
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Now I'M the one being silly?"
"Yes. — Maria V. Snyder

Skewer is just too vague. I think if you say, 'Stand back or I'll stab him in the stomach,' then I have an idea about how serious you are. After all, Leif's stomach is his favorite body part so that's a decent threat. — Maria V. Snyder

The Commander assigned jobs based on skills and intelligence, not on gender. — Maria V. Snyder

I didn't expect a knife, though. Is it the one missing from the kitchen?"
"Did Rand report it?" I felt betrayed. Why hadn't he just asked for it back?
"No. It just makes sense to keep track of large kitchen knives, so when one goes missing you're not surprised when someone attacks you with it. — Maria V. Snyder

Sorry. An overdeveloped nurturing instinct comes with being a healer. — Maria V. Snyder

Why?" I figured they would do what they had done before and lay low.
"Because of you."
"Me? You've got to be joking."
"You're right. I am. It's really because of Sheepy. How he risked his life for them, and how he showed them that scrubs are real human beings who care and want the same things in life. Opened their eyes to the fact the Travas are our mutual enemy."
"Sheepy's a great guy ... sheep. — Maria V. Snyder

Flea stared at us, I can't decide what's worse. Losing family members or not having a family member to lose. — Maria V. Snyder

Ghost?" I asked.
Moon Man pointed to Valek. "Kiki's name for him. It makes sense," he said, seeing the look of confusion on my face. "To magical beings, we see the world through our magic. We see him with our eyes, but cannot see him with our magic. So he is like a ghost to us."
Valek listened to Moon Man. Although expressionless, I could tell by the rigid set to Valek's shoulders that he was prepared to strike.
"Another relative?" Valek asked.
A broad smile stretched Moon Man's lips. "Yes. I am her mother's uncle's wife's third cousin. — Maria V. Snyder

I'd wish you luck, but I don't think it would help.'
'Why not?'
'My lady, you make your own luck. — Maria V. Snyder

Mr. Kerrick wants your hair one color so you don't stand out so much.
Mr. Kerrick could kiss my ass. — Maria V. Snyder

I hate a mystery. I would have let the identity of the Commander's successor remain a secret, as I have for fifteen years, but tonight's opportunity was too tempting. With eight drunken Generals sleeping it off, I could have danced on their beds without waking them.
- Valek — Maria V. Snyder

You're easily distracted by the pattern of the cloth and can't see the quality of the threads. — Maria V. Snyder

Valek coalesced from the shadows and wrapped me in his long lean arms. I soaked in his musky smell, listening to his heart beat. Strong and steady. No indication that he had been sneaking around. — Maria V. Snyder

And it's always better to check than be sorry," Quain added. "'It worked' could be code for the dead are invading."
"Wow, that's ... really random, Quain. Aside from you , who would ever put those two things together? — Maria V. Snyder

I had to admit there was one good thing about staying in the south. Instead of being the only person with tan skin, I finally looked as if I belonged. Living in the north with the pale-skinned Ixians for so long, though, had not prepared me for such a variety of brown skin tones. Much to my embarrassment, I had found myself gawking at the deeper mahogany skin colors when we first entered Sitia. — Maria V. Snyder

Back so soon?" he asked. "Too bad. I was just about to organize a search for your dead body. What happened when you knocked on the southerner magician's door to sacrifice yourself? Did they kick you out, thinking you too half-witted to waste their time on? — Maria V. Snyder

In fact, he's never taken an interest in a woman before. I was beginning to to suspect he might prefer one of his male sneaks, but now ... " She paused dramatically. "Now, we have the lovely, intelligent Yelena to get Valek's cold heart pumping."
"You really should get out of your sewing room more. You need fresh air and a dose of reality," I said knowing better than to believe a word Dilana said, but unable to control the silly little grin on my face.
Her sweet, melodious laughter followed me into the hallway.
"You know I'm right, " she called. — Maria V. Snyder

Did she just-"
"Yes."
"But I don't-"
"Yes you do. We both stink."
"Well, I'm not-"
"Yes. You are."
He huffed. "You wont let-"
"No. No complaining. Let's go." I grabbed a clean shirt and pants from my saddlebags.
"Well, she could have handled it better," he grumped.
"No. She couldn't."
He settled into a sulky silence as we visited the bathhouse. — Maria V. Snyder

Mixing myself with the hard stone. A stone had a single purpose: to — Maria V. Snyder

And what did you give him in return?"..."My heart. — Maria V. Snyder

I had hoped to hear everyone discussing how much they missed my altruistic qualities, my legendary skills as a fighter and as a lover." He leered. "Instead, you're making plans for tomorrow. Interesting how life goes on in spite of itself. — Maria V. Snyder

Pain jabbed Janco where the lower half of his right ear used to be. He rubbed the scar. "Now, I'm not a genius - "
"Got that right," Ari mumbled. — Maria V. Snyder

Sieges weathered, fight together, friends forever. — Maria V. Snyder

I want you to have this." He extended his hand. On his palm sat the beautiful butterfly he had carved. Silver spots on the wings glinted in the sunlight, and a silver chain hung from a small hole drilled into its body.
Valek looped the necklace around my neck. "When I carved this statue, I was thinking about you. Delicate in appearance, but with a strength unnoticed at first glance." His eyes met mine. — Maria V. Snyder

Here we go. Kerrick was as subtle as a thunderstorm. — Maria V. Snyder

I understood that Valek's loyalty to the Commander was without question. His blue eyes held a fierce determination and I knew in my soul that Valek would take his own life after he had taken mine. — Maria V. Snyder

Don't judge what you don't know. — Maria V. Snyder

[Janco] paused. His eyes held a distant gleam as if seeing into his past. 'My first practice was a shock. I was a cocky smart aleck
'
[Opal] 'Was?'
[J] 'Be quiet. I'm telling a story here. — Maria V. Snyder

There's an arrest warrant out for her. Did you even consider taking her to the Commander?"
"No."
"Why not?" Valek didn't try to hide his disbelief. "Killing isn't the only solution to a problem. Or has that been yourformula?"
" My formula! Excuse me, Mr. Assassin, while I laugh as I remember my history lessons on how to deal with a tyrannical monarch by killing him and his family."
Valek flashed me a dangerous look. — Maria V. Snyder

No one is going to mess with my son or daughter."
She laughed. "You can't assassinate bullies or boys who kiss your daughter."
"Pity. — Maria V. Snyder

She put her hands on her hips and surveyed the area with a cocky smile on her face. The smirk spread when the traitor met my gaze.
"No hello for your old friend?" she asked me. "Don't be rude Baby Face."
"Go to hell, Wynn. — Maria V. Snyder

We talked through Gillie's life from start to finish, including all her accomplishments and major life events. The woman fell asleep with a dreamy half smile still on her lips.
I remained by her bedside. Cog would be amused by my efforts to comfort an upper. No. Not amused. Proud. I liked Ella. She was a good sort, much nicer than Trella, and I hoped she managed to survive the next thirty hours. — Maria V. Snyder

He huffed in amusement. She had the unique ability to attract danger even when in benign situations. Perhaps he should amend his plan and just watch her. — Maria V. Snyder

You can't let the past ruin your future. — Maria V. Snyder

Ah, Kerry. You've found your heart. Who is she?"
...
"A healer, but she's ... gone. — Maria V. Snyder

Resting, recuperating, moping, it's all the same. — Maria V. Snyder

The uniform enhanced his athletic body, and my thoughts drifted to how magnificent he would look with his uniform puddled around his feet. — Maria V. Snyder

You look stunning, I blurted. Mortified, I blushed as a rush of heat spread through my body. I must have swallowed more brandy than I'd realized. — Maria V. Snyder

There is a reason for everything. You might not be able to figure it out, and time might have made us all forget it, but the reason is there all the same. — Maria V. Snyder

Maximum damage. It was the beginning of the end. Either we would fail or not. At least we could say we tried. — Maria V. Snyder

Your soul is drenched black with the blood of your victims, my dear, and that is why you can't see it. When you die, that heavy blood filled essence will sink to the bottom of the earth where you will burn in eternity for your crimes. — Maria V. Snyder

How touching," Janco said, pretending to wipe his eyes. "Get going, Yelena. I don't want you to see me cry." He faked a sniffle.
"I'm sure your ego can handle it," I said. "Or will you need to beat up some trainees to feel like a man again? — Maria V. Snyder

My sanity threatened to take a holiday without me. — Maria V. Snyder

Your mother sounds like a formidable woman," Valek said into the silence.
"You have no idea," Leif replied with a sigh.
"Well, if she's anything like Yelena, my deepest sympathies," Valek teased.
"Hey!"
Leif laughed and the tense moment dissipated.
Valek handed Leif his machete. "Do you know how to use it?"
"Of course. I chopped Yelena's bow into firewood," Leif joked. — Maria V. Snyder

So who gave him his name?" I asked.
"Kerrick," Belen answered.
Not who I'd expect. "Why 'Flea'?"
A full-out grin spread across Flea's face. "Cause I'm fast and hard to catch."
"Because he's a pest and hard to squash," Belen said.
"Because he jumps about three feet in the air when you scare him," Loren added.
"Because he's annoying and makes us itch with impatience," Quain said.
"Thanks, guys. I love you too." Flea made exaggerated kissing noises and patted his ass. — Maria V. Snyder

It's incomprehensible to me why a magician would create something that can be used against him. It's like giving your sword to your previously unarmed enemy, and then being surprised when he stabs you with it!" Bruns — Maria V. Snyder

Leif: Getting killed would have been easier. No guilt. No worries. No fear. Caring for someone is terrible and wonderful. I don't know if I have the strength to do it for another. How do you deal with it?
Yelena: I focus on the wonderful parts and suffer through the terrible parts, knowing it will end eventually. — Maria V. Snyder

We don't take orders from you, Sergeant." Quain said. "Your man tried to assassinate-"
"He isn't mine. My man has eyes that change color with the seasons. — Maria V. Snyder

Before Kiki and I headed toward the Keep, I thanked my friends.
"For what? We didn't do anything," Janco grumbled.
"For caring enough to follow my guards. And the next time, I might need the help."
"There better not be a next time," Ari said, giving me a stern look.
"How touching," Janco said, pretending to wipe his eyes.
"Get going, Yelena. I don't want you to see me cry." He faked a sniffle.
"I'm sure your ego can handle it," I said. "Or will you need to beat up some trainees to feel like a man again?"
"Very funny," he said. — Maria V. Snyder

I shook my head at Janco. "I've got the situation under control. Go back to the Keep, I'll meet you there."
Janco stared at me in astonished silence. Ari, though, trusted me. "Come on, she doesn't need our help." Ari sheathed his sword. Janco recovered. He flashed me one of his mischievous grins. "I'll bet you a copper that she'll be free in five minutes," he said to Ari.
Ari grunted in amusement. "A silver on ten minutes," he countered.
"I'll bet you both a gold coin that she kills him," Valek said
from behind them. They moved aside and he entered, still dressed in his Adviser Ilom disguise. "The only way to take care of your problem. Right, love? — Maria V. Snyder

The big man shifted in his seat, appearing uncomfortable. "Do you really believe we would eliminate someone you're in love with?"
I sputtered. "I'm not - "
Ari held up a hand. "He's helping you, then. That's important to us."
Staring at him in shock, I finally asked, "Love trumps logic?"
"Every time," Valek said. — Maria V. Snyder

If you put enough sheep together you have a herd- a force to be reckoned with. — Maria V. Snyder

It's the effort, not the results that matter. — Maria V. Snyder

Lying to yourself is easy, too. I know. It's much harder to stay and deal with consequences. — Maria V. Snyder

I always remember the faces and names of my enemies. I don't want to forget to kill anyone. — Maria V. Snyder

I wanted to dissolve into the floor, mixing myself with the hard stone. A stone had a single purpose: to be. No complicated promises, no worries and no feelings. — Maria V. Snyder