“He couldn't offend the gods with a pointed stick.”

“Because not wanting the prize the gods have arranged for you - that just might offend the hell right out of them.”

“Upset at the sight of blood?" he said. "Not my wife, Ornon.""Your blood, " the ambassador pointed out. Eugenides glanced at the hook in his arm and conceded the point. "Yes," he said.”

“On the bed, Eugenides stirred restlessly. "Upset at the sight of blood?" he said. "Not my wife, Ornon.""Your blood," the ambassador pointed out.Eugenides glanced at the hook on his arm and conceded the point. "Yes," he said. He seemed lost in memory. The room was quiet.”

“You're awake," he said."Phresine is not," pointed out the queen."Oh?""You gave her lethium.""She gave it to me first.”

“Costis bowed stiffly. “I am here to make sure that you stay in bed, Your Majesty, because if this offends you and you order me summarily executed, it is no loss. Politically speaking.”

“The Thieves of Eddis don't have breaking points. We have flash points instead, like gunpowder.”