“What did it mean to be called “lord”? I’ll assume you’ve never had the honor, since I doubt any of you happen to be British royalty. (And, if by chance you are, then let me say, “Hello, Your Majesty! Welcome to my stupid book. Can I borrow some cash?”)”

“I never did thank you," Breeze said."For what, Lord Breeze?""For pulling me out of myself," Breeze said. "For forcing me to get up, a year ago, and keep going. Ifyou hadn't helped me, I don't know that I would ever have gotten over . . . what happened."Sazed nodded. On the inside, however, his thoughts were more bitter. Yes, you saw destruction anddeath, my friend. But the woman you love is still alive. I could have come back too, if I hadn't losther. I could have recovered, as you did.”

“I ask of you your lives,” Elend said, voice echoing, “and your courage. I ask of you your faith, and your honor—your strength, and your compassion. For today, I lead you to die. I will not ask you to welcome this event. I will not insult you by calling it well, or just, or even glorious. But I will say this.“Each moment you fight is a gift to those in this cavern. Each second we fight is a second longer that thousands of people can draw breath. Each stroke of the sword, each koloss felled, each breath earned is a victory! It is a person protected for a moment longer, a life extended, an enemy frustrated!”There was a brief pause.“In the end, they will kill us,” Elend said, voice loud, ringing in the cavern. “But first, they shall fear us!”

“Regardless, you ask why Idid not greet you. Well, let us assume that I had acted as you suggest Ishould. Upon your approach, you would have had me gush over you?”“Naturally.”“You would have me point out how stunning you appear in that gown?”“I wouldn’t complain.”“Mention how your dazzling eyes glisten in the fireworks like burningembers?”“That would be nice.”“Expound on how your lips are so perfectly red that they could leave anyman breathless with wonder, yet drive him compose the most brilliant ofpoetry each time he recalled the moment?”“I’d be flattered for certain.”“And you claim you want these reactions from me?”“I do.”“Well blast it, woman,” Lightsong said, picking up his cup. “If I’mstunned, dazzled, and breathless, then how the hell am I supposed to greetyou? By definition, won’t I be struck dumb?”She laughed. “Well, then, you’ve obviously found your tongue now.”“Surprisingly, it was in my mouth,” he said. “I always forget to checkthere.”

“...Regardless, I still do not believe that your duty is to do as the people wish. Your duty is to lead as best you can, following the dictates of your conscience. You must be true. Your Majesty, to the man you wish to become....”

“You are out of control, Rand al'Thor,' she declared.I do what must be done,' he said, speaking now from the shadows. He sounded exhausted. ...I hate what you just did, Rand,' Nynaeve snarled. 'No, "Hate" isn't strong enough. I loathe what you've done. What has happened to you?'Test him!' Rand whispered, voice dangerous. 'Before condemning me, let us first determine if my sins have achieved anything beyond my own damnation.”

“I continue to wonder,' he said, glancing down at Min, 'why you all assume that I am too dense to see what you find so obvious. Yes, Nynaeve. Yes, this hardness will destroy me. I know.' ...You all claim that I have grown too hard, that I will inevitably shatter and break if I continue on. But you assume that there needs to be something left of me to continue on. ...That's the key, Nynaeve. I see it now. I will not live through this, and so I don't need to worry about what might happen to me after the Last Battle. I don't need to hold back, don't need to salvage anything of this beaten up soul of mine.”