Quotes from Dan Simmons, Hyperion

The essence of honor lay in the moment of combat between equals.

In such seconds of decision entire futures are made.

They lay together in a sheltered place among the ruins of Brasilia while deathbeams from Chinese EMVs played like blue searchlights on broken ceramic walls.

There is a fullness and calmness there which can come only from knowing pain.

You have to live to really know things, my love

... you "met" this Moneta ... or whatever her real name is ... in her past but your future ... in a meeting that's still to come