Quotes from Tamora Pierce

Excuse me, she said politely. But you can't have him. Not yet. He's going to come back with me.

Faithful: When will you learn to leave well enough alone? Alanna sighed. When I want to stop learning, I guess.

Hello, he greeted her cheerfully. You must be Alan of Trebond. You're very hardy to have made it this far the first day. Has anyone said what we try to learn in here? Alanna said the first thing that came to her lips. The only thing I know is that I jump when I'm told to and I have no free time.

I want to marry her, when I grow up to be a man.

We're on a hunt, Cooper. When you're on a hunt, you do whatever it takes.

She's all over us like maggots on garbage, just because I interfered with one pickpocket yesterday.

You've been nipping at cook's wine!!

Well, laddie, if you've let an old buzzard like me hurt you confidence, you couldn't have had much in the first place.

Daja: He and Rosethorn work together? They hate each other. Lark: I didn't say they liked it. - Daja and Lark referring to Rosethorn and Crane's cooperation on finding the cures for new diseases

Lark: You shouldn't yell at her. Frostpine: Of course I should. Gods bless us all, Lark, but our Water dedicates would try the patience of a stone . — Dedicates Lark and Frostpine when the latter found out that the Water Temple had run out of warded boxes

When it was her own doing, she was always tempted to skip a day, or just glance down, then get back to the ground. Kel had to force herself to keep her vow.

Daja doesn't exactly need to be tested on whether she's honorable or not. Doesn't she? Don't all of you? This is your first taste of the things which may come from your being powerful mages. People will offer you gold, status, even love. I want to know how you will react. If want to know if your teachers will release greedy, thoughtless monsters into the world.

I would apologize for my rudeness, if I had any manners. Happily, I don't.

If her rump were any stiffer, she'd break it every time she rides', I thought to Pounce. 'If she fell on the steps, they would never be able to put her together again', he replied.

I'm to attend balls and banquets without my squire? demanded Raoul, all innocence. I can't handle things like requesting water to shave with, or getting my clothes pressed. I need Kel.

Would I serve you or (Prince) Jon stolen goods? he asked. No, don't answer me.

Alanna didn't approve of lying, but in a pinch a lie was sometimes better than the truth.

If I have to 'catch' a man to get a husband, I don't want one.

Tortall and the Queens Riders!

Sandry: There has to be something we can do. Lark: We're mages. We do what we can, but some problems are too big to fix. Sandry: Then I wish I weren't a mage. What good is magic, if you can't use it to help people.

He has artistry, he repeated. Because that's what it takes to blow things up. And cook his arm.

What if custom is wrong? demanded the part of her that believed in the code of chivalry. A knight must set things right.

Don't you ever get tired of asking questions?' 'Never. They're mother's milk to me.

Once she was certain, she didn't waiver. I had to make her stop for water or a bite to eat. She obeyed, but she was restless. As clear as if she spoke to me, she was saying, Very well, I know you want to keep my strength up, but scent fades, you know! And I'd say, I know, girl, but you're what I have and I'm going to take care of you.