David Petersen

“There is no such thing as a leap into literacy.”

“The 'will to peace' is the best answer that we can imagine to the 'will to war', which unfortunately seems as strong in this century as it was in the middle of the last.”

“Physicality is the basis of performance.”

“You should always aim to be your own mouse, Lieam. In fact...you already are. You are not so quick to jump into danger as Saxon and not as pensive of mind as Kenzie. They rely on each other too much. Saxon knows he can afford to be reckless since Kenzie acts as his conscience. And Kenzie can linger in his thoughts and plans, because he knows Saxon can defend him. I tested Kenzie earlier. I wanted to see if he would be swayed by my advice. It took Saxon's coaxing to make up the greyfur's mind. Be compleete with in yourself young redfur...you will never disappoint. Even in solitude.”

“On a long journey to Glen-StoneIsailed into its shadethere before me she proudly shonemy decision was already made.A lass who bore the light of the townher fur of ivory threadhow she danced is stuck in my crownand back to this glen my boat led.Twenty some seasons have since passedsince her eyes and mine both metthrough lands unnamed and wildly vastmy blade slaying every threatWolf, hawk, fox, and snakecan't stand in my waymy body is weak and it may break,but not today.Living in blackness wrought with frightmy steel shattered facing the foesdusks and dawns darker than nightmy fallen companions in rowsLife spilled past me staining the groundmylimbs growing ever so coldabove villians let out a cackiling soundtelling me i'd never grow oldOne dance and one mouse played in my mindcalling me back from the doomthe courage to carry on i did findto raise me out of my tombWolf, hawk, fox, and snakecan't stand in my waymy body is weak and it may breakthough not todayBattered and bruised i stood to my pawsraised what little i ownedpredators growled caring not for my causeof the mouse that shone light off Glen-stoneWolf, hawk, fox, and snakecan't tand in my waymy body is weak and it may breakthough not today. -The Ballad Of The Ivory Lass”

“It matters not what you fight but what you fight for.”

“Clouds, leaves, soil, and wind all offer themselves as signals of changes in the weather. However, not all the storms of life can be predicted.”

“Take no duty of the Guard lightly. Friends must not be enemies Just as enemies must not be friends.Discerning the two is a life's work.”

“The natural world is the only reality, thus the only valid base for spirituality there is.”