“Not that I want to be a god or a hero. Just to change into a tree, grow for ages, not hurt anyone.”

“Every decision you make can change the world. The best life is the one the gods don't notice. You want to live free, boy, live quietly.""I want to be a soldier. A hero.""You'll grow out of it.”

“I didn’t want to invade hisprivacy; I didn’t want to fight with him; I didn’t want anyone else to ever hurt him. I just wantedhim to be a child forever.” She glanced up, crying harder now. “But you can’t do that, if you’re aparent. Because part of your job is letting them grow up.”

“Old powers waken. Shadows stir. An age of wonder and terror will soon be upon us, and age for gods and heroes.”

“God lets the guilty live right among the good, hurting them all they want; he lets the tares grow amid the corn.”

“But God knows, I don't want anyone but you. I don't even want to want anyone but you.”