“You may believe you're an excellent rider," he called, "but there are a score of Temujai back there who actually are.”

“He's of the colour of the nutmeg. And of the heat of the ginger.... he is pure air and fire; and the dull elements of earth and water never appear in him, but only in patient stillness while his rider mounts him; he is indeed a horse, and all other jades you may call beasts.”

“You'd better hurry up, they'll be waiting for 'the Chosen Captain' — 'The Boy Who Scored'— whatever they call you these days.”

“He's probably the only player who doesn't play for 10 months and, if he scores a hat trick in his first game back, no one would be surprised.”

“I nearly forgot, Ragnak had a further message for you. He said if we lose this battle and loses his slaves as well, he's going to kill you for it," he said cheerfully.Halt smiled grimly. "If we lose this battle, he may have to get in line to do it. There'll be a few thousand Temujai cavalrymen in front of him.”

“A horse can lend its rider the speed and strength he or she lacks, but the rider who is wise remembers it is no more than a loan.”