“I love stupid plans.”

“This is the stupidest plan I have ever in my career participated in," Xenophon said."I love stupid plans," said Eugenides.”

“I am a master of foolhardy plans.”

“Eschewing ceremony, Eugenides said, "You shot the ambassador?""You gave me the gun," protested Sounis."I didn't mean for you to shoot the ambassador with it!" Eugenides told him."Oh, how our carefully laid plans go astray," murmured the magus."You shut up!" said Gen, laughing.”

“Did you send Attolia to me at the farewell?" Eddis asked."Not I," said Gen quietly. "The magus. I thought you knew that you loved him - the two of you have been like magnets drawing ever nearer to each other since you met - but the magus was concerned. He thought the grief of leave-taking might surprise you.""I feel very stupid." She leaned back into his embrace. "'I look forward to hearing of your adventures.'" She shook her head in disgust and sniffed. "I should have had something better to say, something...more appropriate."He couldn't disagree. Sounis had clearly hoped for some message of her affection to carry with him. "You could write him a letter," he said. "A fast horse will catch him before he reaches the pass.”

“Before you make a decision," he said, "I want you to know that I love you.”

“Who am I, that you should love me?""You are My Queen," said Eugenides. She sat perfectly still, looking at him without moving as his words dropped like water into dry earth."Do you believe me?" he asked. "Yes," she answered. "Do you love me?""Yes.""I love you."And she believed him.”