Quotes from Sherwood Smith

I'm not certain what you mean by that last bit," I said at last. "As for the first, you said 'until last year.' Does that mean that Lady Tamara has someone else in view?" "But of course," Nee said blandly. "The Marquis of Shevraeth." I laughed all the way up the steps into the Residence.

You'll be in the race tomorrow?" "Of course," I said, lifting my hands. "I have to prove whether my wins last time were luck, skill--or the kindness of well-wishers." Tamara smiled a little. "And once you've proved which it is?" "Why then I either celebrate, commiserate--or fulminate!

I did not dance again but once, and that with Savona, who insisted that I join Shevraeth and Elenet in a set. Despite his joking remarks from time to time, the Marquis seemed more absent than merry, and Elenet moved, as always, with impervious serenity and reserve. Afterward the four of us went our ways, for Shevraeth did not dance again with Elenet. I know, because I watched.

I just wanted to see if you traitors would dare to face me," Galdran said, his caustic voice making me feel sick inside. Sick--and angry. The Marquis bowed low over his horse's withers, every line of his body indicative of irony. Galdran's face flushed dark purple. "I confess," Shevraeth drawled, "we had a small wager on whether you would have the courage to face us.

I'd learned something, all right, about the power of attraction, and Nee was right, it was potent. But I'd also learned that the self might want one thing, but that didn't mean it was right. Isn't that why we have minds?

No matter how far diverged by their singular histories, every human culture in the Thousand Suns resonates to its tragic echoes.

I didn't want that kiss to ever stop. He didn't seem to, either. But after a time, I realized the drumming sound I heard was not my heart, it was hoofbeats, and they were getting louder. We broke apart, and his breathing was as ragged as mine.

Is politics just another word for injustice?

You might contemplate the purpose of a court…" You brainless, twaddling idiot, I thought scornfully. I wished he were before me. I wished I could personally flout him and his busy searchers, and make him look like the fool he was. And watch the reaction, and walk away laughing.

I do not like to remember that trip. Not that I was awake for much of it--for which I am grateful. I kept sliding in and out of consciousness, and believe me, the outs were much more welcome than the ins.

I promised myself that next time Shevraeth tried to talk to me, I'd listen, and even if he insulted me, my family, and my land, I'd keep my tongue between my teeth.

Not one of the passerby showed the least interest in the proceedings. I wondered if I had missed yet another chance at escape, but if I did yell for help, who knew what the partisanship of the Lumm merchants was? I might very well have gotten my mouth gagged for my pains. This did not help my spirits any, for now that the immediate discomforts had eased, I realized again that I was sick. How could I effect an escape when I had as much spunk as a pot of overboiled noodles?

All I can report is that I felt pretty sick, nearly as sick as I'd been when I fell into Ara's chickenyard. Sick at heart as well, for I knew there was no escape for Meliara Astiar after all; therefore I resolved that my last job was to summon enough presence of mind to die well.

In my mind I saw, clearly, that straight-backed figure on the dapple-gray horse, his long black cloak slung back over the animal's haunches, his plumed helm of command on his head. With either phenomenal courage or outright arrogance he had ignored the possibility of our arrows, the crowned sun stitched on his tunic gleaming in the noonday light as he directed the day's battle.

Suddenly I felt an overwhelming desire to be home. I wanted badly to clean out our castle, and replant Mama's garden, and walk in the sunny glades, and think, and read, and learn. I no longer wanted to face the world in ignorance, wearing castoff clothing and old horse blankets.

Instead my inner eye kept returning to the memory of our people running before a mass of orderly brown-and-green-clad soldiers, overseen by a straight figure in a black cloak riding back and forth along a high ridge.

So my only hope, therefore, was to make him so angry he'd kill me outright and save us both a lot of effort. These were my cheery thoughts--not that my head was any too clear.

Except, what is normal at any given time? We change just as the seasons change, and each spring brings new growth. So nothing is ever quite the same. I realize now that what I wanted was comfort, but that, too, does not often come with growth and change.

You're drunk as four skunks, you idiot.

I can see her struggling to make what she considers courtly banter, but if she's ever been kissed before, I'll eat my hat. I'll eat your hat, which has more lace on it.

It is a shame that so few have the time or inclination for scholarship these days. There is much entertainment to be afforded in perusing the mistakes of our forbears.

So let me end with the wish that you find the same kind of happyiness, and laughter, and love, that I have found, and that you have the wisdon to make them last.

The only noise now was the rain, pattering softly with the magnificent indifference of nature for the tangled passions of humans.

You, there, girl! Halt!" Who in the universe ever halts when the enemy tells them to?