“No one disputes that seeming order can come out of the application of simple rules. But who wrote the rules?”
“The rules of the jungle did not apply to those who wrote the rules of the jungle.”
“He does not rule us. No one can rule us. No one can rule anyone who does not first agree to the ruling." She smiled a trace at Aeriel and patted the little camp dog, which was whining for more tidbits. "One must rule oneself.”
“He held up his index finger. 'Rule one: in any dispute between mates, the male is always to blame, even when he is clearly blameless. Rule two'—his middle finger joined the first—'whenever in doubt, refer to rule one.”
“It was one of the many rules in the kennel, rules that didn't always make sense, or even seem important, until some situation drew the lesson out.”
“The rules are simple: the first one to lose dies.”