Her voice was like a portrait of her soul: wild as a fire, sharp as shattered glass, sweet and clean as clover

I am the center of creation. In doing this, let us pass over innumerable boring stories: the rise and fall of empires, sagas of heroism, ballads of tragic love.

I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.
You may have heard of me.

Call a jack a jack. Call a spade a spade. But always call a whore a lady. Their lives are hard enough, and it never hurts to be polite

And then there was Abenthy, my first real teacher. He taught me more than all the others set end to end. If not for him, I would never have become the man I am today.

I ask that you not hold it against him. He meant well.

your face,” he said with a wry grin. “Let it go, my boy. He gets full marks for honesty if not for grace. He just says out loud what other folk keep in the quiet of their hearts

Well, hear me out. I like both of you too well to let you think of me as an old fool,

“I appreciate your concern, but this is just a piece of the story, not even the worst piece, and I am not telling it to garner sympathy.”

Why? Because pride is a strange thing, and because generosity deserves generosity in return. But mostly because it felt like the right thing to do, and that is reason enough 

anger can keep you warm at night, and wounded pride can spur a man to wondrous things

I am not accusing you of engaging in boyish fancy. I am advising you to avoid the appearance of boyish fancy.

Plainly said, he was giving me enough rope to hang myself with. Apparently he didn’t realize that once a noose is tied, it will fit one neck as easily as another.

You lack the requisite spine and testicular fortitude to study under me.”

Onstage I am calm as a windless winter night.

Then the applause. A roar like leaping flame, like thunder after lightning.

smiled. “Well in that case, it’s just something I picked up.” I made a casual gesture as if tossing something away. “A remnant of my misspent youth.”

Nothing makes a man feel older than a young woman

How old are you, anyway?”
The innkeeper gave a tired smile. “Old enough to feel old.”

It is a freely given gift. I offer it without obligation, let, or lien.”

Anyone can love a thing because. That’s as easy as putting a penny in your pocket. But to love something despite. To know the flaws and love them too. That is rare and pure and perfect

Wisdom is a luxury I can’t afford

Recently, we’ve both done something rather foolish. Something we regret.” I pulled the robe more closely around my shoulders. “And while these two things certainly don’t cancel each other out, it does seem to me that they establish some sort of equilibrium

Are you sure?”
I shook my head. “There are no certainties in this, your grace. Only hopes. That is the best one I can give you.”

You’re supposed to be dead.”
“In this and many other things, I aim to disappoint