“Raoul: Age and treachery!Neal: Youth and skill!”

“WE do try to eat," Raoul called back to her [Kel]. I go all faint if I don't get fed regularly. Only think of the disgrace to the King's Own if I fell from the saddle.""But there was that time in Fanwood," a voice behind them said."That wedding in Tameran," added the blonde Sergeant Osbern, riding a horse-length behind Kel."Don't forget when what's-his-name, with the army, retired," yelled a third."Silence, insubordinate curs!" cried Raoul. "Do not sully my new squire's ears with your profane tales!""Even if they're TRUE?" That was Dom. It seemed Neal wasn't the only family member versed in irony.”

“Not too fast," called Raoul. "Let's not scare anyone.""His majesty said with all deliberate speed!" chirped the courier. He flinched under Lerant's glare. "That's how we're doing it," Raoul told him. "Deliberately.”

“He's got courage," Alex said."Courage!" Raoul bellowed. "That coward almost kills him and--”

“Lord Raoul asked me to tell you that if you get yourself killed, he will never speak to you again.”

“A friend had commented once that Neal had a gift for making someone want to punch him just for saying hello.”

“I'd like to find whoever taught the Stump that extra work builds character and push him down the stairs," Neal told Kel at lunch.”