“So, using his pride like a shield against despair, dejection, and-most important—self-pity, Raoden raised his head to stare damnation in the eyes.”

“I felt Red’s arm close around me like a shield against the rest of the world. His mouth was against my hair, and his heart thumped violently under my cheek. I shut my eyes, and held onto his shirt with both hands, and wept.”

“Brenna’s eyes widened. Raising a hand, she brushed his hair gently off his forehead.“Why do I keep telling you things I swore I’d take to my grave?”The contact shot electricity through his nerves. “Because you know I’ll always be your shield against the nightmares.”

“Raoden turned to regard the large Dula. "What does it matter? It's not like we have anything pressing to do. It's actually quite pleasant up here—you should just sit back and enjoy it."An ominous crash came from the clouds above them, and Raoden felt a wet drop splat against his head."Fantastic," Galladon grumbled. "I'm enjoying myself already.”

“He smelled the garden, the yellow shield of light smote his eyes, and he whispered, "Life is so beautiful."...Yes, he thought, if I can die saying, "Life is so beautiful," then nothing else is important.”

“Safeguard your weaknesses, for your enemy will always use them against you. But more importantly …” He raised a single bony finger, waving it rhythmically to the cadence of his words. “Safeguard your true strengths. If he knows not what you are capable of, he will always underestimate you.” He fixed his unflinching eyes on mine. “And you are not to be underestimated.”