“I knew you'd figure it out," he said. "And I hoped that by the time you figured it out, you would be sufficiently accustomed to the situation for the realization to be less... dispiriting.”

“And when I looked up and saw you as you were, in no gaudy robes and bearing no solemn goblet - suddenly I had hope.''I did not see you looking,' said Mirasol.'I did no want you to see,' said the Master.'And I looked away quickly, because I knew the hope was false. I knew - I think I knew - that it was not really about hope, it was about looking at you. And so I looked at Horuld, and at his sword, and reminded myself that they were about to kill me.”

“I said with perfect honesty, "I have no intention of trying to take these suckers out by myself, no.”

“I smiled. "I understand now. But It doesn't matter and you needn't apologize. They have been very kind to me too. Even if we did differ a little about suitable dresses." He considered me a moment, a mischievous light creeping into his eyes, and said: "Was THAT the dress - that night you wouldn't come out of your room?"I grinned and nodded, and we both laughed;”

“All you did was sit there, he said. Why are you so tired?I sat very diligently, she said.”

“The great thing about fantasy is that you can drag dreams and longings and hopes and fears and strivings out of your subconscious and call them 'magic' or 'dragons' or 'faeries' and get to know them better. But then I write the stuff. Obviously I'm prejudiced.”

“Can you trust me, he said. Not will you. Can you.Can I trust him?What do I have to lose?”