“Real friends are hard to come by, and as annoying as Henry is, he'd throw himself in front of dragon's fire for you.""And that's the definition of a real friend?""Oh, yes, just ask Owain." He laughed.”

“Seeing that my words had done absolutely nothing to pull North from whatever depths he was clinging to, Owain did what came naturally. He smacked North upside the head hard enough to send him sprawling into the window. And when it seemed that North would turn around and return the favor, Owain hit him again, harder.”

“Owain told me about the beautiful, fair-haired Vesta. It took me several minutes to work out that Vesta was a horse, and that Owain was possibly in love with her.”

“Where in the world did you get that dress?""Present from Zu.""You look like you want to throw it in a fire.""I can't promise there won't be an unfortunate accident later on.”

“Owain crossed his arms over his chest. "I've gone straight. Only good, clean jobs for me now.""So, in other words," North said, "you're living in poverty?”

“You're a wizard," I snapped. "Can't you just use magic to make your own food?""Ah, yes," he retorted. "Because mud pies are so very delicious and the wind fills empty stomachs quite nicely.”

“I'm trying to feel sorry for you, really I am,"North said."If you wait just a moment I'm sure the tears will come.”