“A hush of expectancy descended in the chamber as all waited to hear the request. What treasure could he want? Laren inventoried in her mind all the precious trappings of the castle she could think of -jewels, weapons, art-and she saw that the others must be doing the same. What did the Sacoridians possess that would be good enough for the Eletian prince?"My brother," Graelalea said, "requires many pounds of dark chocolate fudge and Dragon Droppings. We must visit the Master of Chocolate.”

“Do whatever you must, Karigan," he told her, his voice so quiet it would not carry, "to come back. You must come back. To me." ~King Zachary”

“It's good to leave behind all that is comfortable and known every so often. It opens one's mind to the wide world.”

“Identify you as messenger...to other Riders." The words were gasped as if hewere forcing air in and out of his lungs by sheer will to extend his life. "Fly...Rider, withgreat speed. Don't read m-message. Then they can't tor-torture...it from you. If captured,shred it and toss it to the winds." Then, because his voice had grown so faint, she had tolean very close to hear his final words. "Beware the shadow man."A cold tremor ran through Karigan's body. "I'll do my best," she told him.”

“You're a stubborn, ill-trained horse." she saidThe horse snorted and walked towards the North Road of his own volition. "Hey!" Karigan pulled back on the reins. "Whoa. Who do you think is in charge here?”

“Do you love your country and your king?"Karigan paused. What a curious question. King Zachary was relatively new to the throneand she knew little of his policies or methods, but it wouldn't do to sound disloyal to adying servant of Sacoridia."Yes.""I'm a messenger...Green Rider." The young man's body spasmed with pain, and blooddribbled over his lip and down his chin. "The satchel on the saddle...important messagefor...king. Life or death. If you love Sacor...Sacoridia and its king, take it. Take it to him.”

“Not all is certainty in our world, Karigan. If it were there'd be no opportunity for faith; and then it would be a very dull existence.”