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

“Often, just as when they were children, it was four against one when some argument came up. At least they no longer sat on him to force him to submit to their wishes.”

“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.”

“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.”

“Every moment of life mattered. Even the perfect snowflake that alighted on his palm and melted in seconds.”

“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”

“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.”