“Damen said, "If you tell him, I can'tserve him.""Tell him?" said Jord. "Tell him the manhe trusts has lied, and lied again, hasdeceived him into the worsthumiliation?""I wouldn't hurt him," said Damen, andheard the words drop like lead."You killed his brother, then got himunder you in bed.”

“Damen to Jord about Laurent: 'He needs me,' said Damen. 'I don't care if you tell the world.”

“The guard said, 'Our orders are no one in or out.''You can tell the Prince that,' said Damen, 'after you tell him you let through the Regent's pet.'That got a flicker of reaction. Invoking Laurent's bad mood was like a magical key, unlocking the most forbidding doors.”

“I should make you watch, said Laurent, while he's stripped down for every man in the troop to have him."Damen stepped forward. "You don't mean this. You need him as a hostage.""I don't need him continent," said Laurent.”

“I lack," said Laurent, "the easy mannerisms that are usually shared with," you could see him pushing the words out, "a lover.""You lack the easy mannerisms that are usually shared with anyone," said Damen.”

“You fill me with horror," said Jord. Hishands were tight on his knife. Both hishands, now."Captain," a voice called. "Captain!"Damen's eyes were on Jord's face."That's you," Jord said.”

“He said, 'Damianos.'Before Damen could tell him to rise, he heard it again, echoed in another voice, and then another. It was passing over the gathered men in the courtyard, his name in tones of shock and of awe. The steward beside Nikandros was kneeling. And then four of the men in the front ranks. And then more, dozens of men, rank after rank of soldiers. And as Damen looked out, the army was dropping to its knees, until the courtyard was a sea of bowed heads, and silence replaced the murmur of voices, the words spoken over and over again. 'He lives. The King's son lives. Damianos.'”