“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.”

“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.”

“His breath was a sucking gasp that sounded more like a draining tub than a man filling his lungs with air. Then she heard him form the words “Play dead.”So Livia did. She closed her eyes as much as she dared. She could still see outlines through her lashes. She squeezed her hands against Blake’s chest. Hold on, Blake. Stay with me.”

“She couldn't have told you whether it was because she was afraid, or because such a voice in the darkness seemed of necessity a boon; but she listened to him as she had never listened before; his words dropped deep into her soul.”

“Words that had looked so strong on the page, which ran through his mind like music, now shriveled in the air around him.”

“Whatever he writes will mean You have not silenced me. Despite all your power, you are not all powerful. Men have often reduced his voice to gasps and weeping. They have crushed the power to speak from his body, from many bodies. But words written down outlive the vulnerability of the flesh. His songs will fly through the air like swallows. Recorded words can be passed along. In one form or another, they will be passed along. Movement is their essential nature.”