“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.”

“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.”

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

“Human beings are naturally flawed when it comes to time and memory. The past is forgotten, or it is believed bad things will not recur, and people become bound in their current problems. That which afflicted the grandfathers of their grandfathers is a distant, dim thing, and not as important as present concerns, no matter how trivial.”

“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.”

“But he's the king!”