Quotes from Dorothy Dunnett

Sybilla said, 'If there are swords, then I suppose you must wear yours. But it is you we need.' 'We?' he said. 'Five hundred thousand people,' said Sybilla. 'You have a high opinion of my swordsmanship,' Lymond said.

Two men who dislike each other never notice the third on their backs.

Religion in recent years has become a political sport, and politicians are more skilful than honest men at extracting themselves from disasters.

So, although it was more than she ever dared hope for, it was not the same; and never would be.

Lymond, left to speak first, said agreeably, Quite so. I, King of Flesh, flourishing in my flowers. Come in. I am sensible, sober, and have no designs on your virtue.

I find your family, my dear Marthe, much more disturbing than mine.

Versatility is one of the few human traits which are universally intolerable. You may be good at Greek and good at painting and be popular. You may be good at Greek and good at sport, and be wildly popular. But try all three and you're a mountebank. Nothing arouses suspicion quicker than genuine, all-round proficiency." Kate

Now she was wiser. In this brief and dizzying apprenticeship, she had started to realize that, whatever his occupation, Lymond's life was lived on this level: the level on which the future of whole communities could be steered or reshaped, improved or jeopardized by a handful of people.

It is not easy for Brehons to decide concerning bees that have taken up their lodging in the trees of a noble dignitary; with respect to which it is not easy to cut the tree.

eside him, on a low table stood a chess set she remembered. The heavy pieces of rock crystal and silver stood, darkly glimmering below the light of the window, and the fire, seeking them, had placed within each a small tongue of living flame. She said, 'There are not many pieces now left on the board. Who is your opponent?' 'Myself. Who else?' Lymond said.

I wished to warn you about the scimitar cut, and also that your men may find it disconcerting when the Janissaries scream.' No more than amused at the tact, 'I scream too,' said Lymond gravely. 'And louder. But it is kind of you to advise.

Lymond was drawing long breaths now, his hands forced back rigid behind him, driven into the lime of the wall. 'That is as far as I go,' he said flatly. 'I have never in my life subjected you to this kind of inquisition about your purpose, your doings or your relationships. I have answered you fairly enough.

A long sea voyage with Jerott spewing drunk on every deck is not my idea of an adequate quid pro quo.

He had not moved. But, her blue eyes on his face, she did not rise. 'Lord, is there nothing in the cup for me? While you were drinking, I was singing to you.' The detachment had gone from his face, but not the strength. He shook his head; and rising, Marthe turned and walked from the room.

You will not face Sybilla because alone of all of us, she does not know you are venal. She still thinks you care for Scotland and for us, and are prepared to think both more important than riches; for our sake to govern your ambition; for the boy's sake to master your emotions. And when she sees you——' 'She will know she was wrong,' Lymond said.

A versatile commodity, death; except for those suffering it.

I prefer a society which accepts that I have no choice, and does not pretend that I have. I prefer a God who does what he wills, and rules as he desires, and enjoins on me not to prevent anything against its destiny.

Marthe said, her face streaked and silvered with tears, "I could not have done that. I fear nothing and no one. I respect nothing and no one. But I could not have done that." "You have done it," Jerott said. "It is easy to do it, out of hatred. But you are right. I know of no one else on earth who could have done it out of love.

Where there had been peace, now there was endurance. "He will awake," said Nostradamus. "You took a great risk, but he will awake, if that is what you want for him.

It was only the first stage, that was all. It was only the first knot in the snare, the first flick of the hook; the first hint of the spin in the arrow. The first letting of blood not his own.

What I desire, thou dost not possess for thyself. How canst thou render it then to another?

Then I tell you," Sybilla said, "that you have no leave to die. Nor have you leave to desert the race you belong to. I want your word that from this moment, you live. You live until no device of priest or leech will hold the web of your body together. And when you walk from this room, you turn your back on France and your face towards the place of your life's work. I want your oath that you will come back to Scotland.

This is a clever bastard, my friends. I like that word entertainment, for instance.

Richard walked over to him. It was not a long way but he walked slowly, as if he were tired, and halted, eventually, face to face with his younger brother. He said, 'Change your mind. It is the last chance in life you may have.' Spoken soberly, with all the honesty of which he was capable, it was neither threat nor impassioned appeal but a simple plea, simply put. To which Lymond, looking him in the eyes, shook his head.