Quotes from Storm Constantine

The dull ruby light of the fire did not seem to touch the boy. He was the lamb to the slaughter; pure, beautiful, burning with his own white light. Othman experienced a twinge which was almost regret; all that potential soon to be quenched, extinguished, gutted. He allowed himself to bask in the ray of pure love for Daniel which speared his being.

In embracing Finnigin, he embraced his own youth. In melding with Finnigin, he became young, more vital.

A ground mist, morning white, hid all but a suggestion of landscape. A dreamer could imagine green fields might be there, trees with leaves, even animals moving slowly over the grass. Concentrate hard enough and the smell of living plants might be conjured up. A psychic could probably manage it, someone good with ghosts. Leila Saatchi knew better.

If he could shut himself away from all this, hide his being deep within his mind, he might survive.

He was Caradorean, son of a conquered race. He was little more than a slave. Not like Val. Val had surrendered himself entirely to Magravandias, in body and soul. Now he was no longer the boy with whom Khaster had explored the forests above Norgance. Now he was the Dragon Lord, part of the emperor's inner circle, where Khaster would never be invited.

Do not make the mistake I made of thinking we have mystery over the elements of Caradore. What came into me on that fateful day we tried to wake the dragons was feeling intense beyond endurance. That is that nature of water. And the cost of my actions was the I lost he who I loved above all. Bitterness turned that feeling to hate, but I am not deceived. The ghost of what could have been haunts my heart. Do not think you can reach him, because you can't.

Gastern could see now that the sacred building was composed entirely of petrified gargoyles. Their grimacing faces peered out from every eave and spire. If the right words were spoken, perhaps they could come to life and fly in all directions. People would wake in the morning and there would only be an immense crater where the cathedral once stood.

Humans had to make do with what they could.

Be careful, Othman, I can have a pack of famished hounds down your back while you lie asleep at night. I can tell your little Winter friends a few things about you.

Sometimes it felt as if he telling his own story, and he realized that mixed up with the tragedy of Khaster were images and feelings from when the Magravandians had sacked home. When he related Tayven's violation, he spoke in the first person. Yet it was so different.

Will you ever accept me for what I am?

My path is lonely and made all the more so by all that I feel for you in so many ways.

They had scorned the title scientist and dubbed themselves reality speculators.

All still obeyed the words of Emilia Manden. At one time she had held the whip for the Murkasters in Little Moor.

If there were tears upon the face of the lamb, it was only fitting.

Power was gathering, swirling above them; a maelstorm of memories, emotion, and purpose.

What happened to me is not uncommon here.

How fortunate to find these creatures here; their acquaintance might provide more experience than he could have hoped for.

Some wisdom can be learned only from the young. I know this, because I do constantly.

Mine now," he said aloud, then laughed softly. "All mine.

We have given the gift of longevity to those who have worked for us, but it is a corrupting force. I could give you that, Daniel, but it would ruin you.

The serpent shook itself and its image wavered. Tentacles rose from it, which presently Tayven realized were arms. The serpent had acquired a semi-human appearance. To the waist, it had the form of a beautiful boy which melded into the flexing coils. The creature's limbs wove upon the air in a cruel dance. It smiled, showing sharp teeth, and a narrow forked tongue flickered out.

It is an addictive substance, life.

If you want the poetry and sham of romantic love, you are mistaken in me, but what you can have is loyalty and understanding. Speak to me. Tell me your heart.