“Excuse me, Scopus," Beric said quietly, "I am perfectly ready to fight with this bragadocio, and challenge him to a contest; a few hard knocks will do neither of us any harm, therefore let us go into the school and have it out, It is much better so than to have perpetual quarrelling.”

“Don't fight them anymore.I'm going to go with them.""No. I won't let them take you.""You have to," I begged.He was breathing hard, every part of him braced and ready to attack. We locked gazes, and a thousand messages seemed to flow between us as the old electricity crackled in the air.”

“Let me tell you-no, let me quietly explain to you: the percentage of this school is no higher than that at your present school; the only difference is that this group TRIES harder, therefore it achieves more. You, as most mortals in this world do, fall into a middle or average category with respect to brains, abilities or what have you - and that is not the worst place to be, believe me. However when you join a school or group of this caliber, your work patterns and efforts automatically move up in such a way that you hardly notice because YOU ARE GOING ALONG WITH THE TIDE - one that is NOT going out.”

“Why is everyone being all quiet?" the Kid asks. "Are we having a staring contest? If so, you should have told me because I wasn't quite ready yet.”

“What is it, Angel?" she said, starting up. "Have they come for me?""Yes, dearest," he said. "They have come.""It is as it should be," she murmured. "Angel, I am almost glad—yes, glad! This happiness could not have lasted. It was too much. I have had enough; and now I shall not live for you to despise me!"She stood up, shook herself, and went forward, neither of the men having moved."I am ready," she said quietly.”

“I won’t let him retreat from me. We’ve come too far. I’ll fight for us even if it’s him I have to fight.”