“You learn something new everyday.""What are you learning?" Sophos asked."To keep my mouth shut, I hope.”

“I know that if you don't look for an alternative, Sophos, you certainly won't find one.”

“So Sophos thinks you're going to marry me.""While I think you'll marry Sophos.""I might. We'll see what he's like when he grows up.”

“Why didn't you tell me to take Attolia's advice from the beginning?""I thought you should figure it out. What you learn for yourself, you will know forever," said Eugenides."Pol used to say that," said Sounis, surprised."I learned it from him. I just wish to my god that I had his patience for the process.”

“I was not so comfortable with my new authority that I could say 'We eat the chicken now!' but the magus had seen that I was considering it..."My purse is full enough," said the magus, "to keep you supplied with roast chickens.""So, so, so," I said. "We know who the power behind the throne is," and the magus laughed."You eat more than Gen did after prison," he said."I have more sympathy with him all the time. Are you going to finish that drumstick?" I asked."I am. Stop staring at it.”

“Sophos turned red, and I wondered about the circulation of his blood; maybe his body kept an extra supply of it in his head, ready for blushing.”

“My beautiful queen. Your entire court is staring at you, and I can't blame them."They were, too. The queen turned to look. Her glance swept through the crowd like a reaping sickle through grain. Mouths slammed shut on every side. There was a scuffling sound as the people in the back shifted, trying to screen themselves from view. The queen looked back at the king, who was broadly smiling.”