“You've been nipping at cook's wine!!”

“If I say you're a goatherd's son, you say, 'Yes, Lord Ralon.'"Alanna gasped with fury. "I'd as soon kiss a pig! Is that what you've been doing-kissing pigs? Or being kissed?”

“He has artistry," he repeated. "Because that's what it takes to blow things up. And cook his arm.”

“Sandry: "I am silly, now and then. My mother said I was, anyway."Daja: "If you know, you can stop it."Sandry: "Then you've never been silly or you'd know it just creeps up without any warning.”

“Mithros's spear, Kel!" he exclaimed. "When did you turn into a real girl?""You said she was a girl already," muttered one of his cousins..."But not a girl-girl, with a chest and all!" protested Owen...."I've been a girl for a while, Owen," Kel informed him."I never realized," her too outspoken friend replied. "It's not like you've got melons or anything, they're just noticeable.”

“If you've a story, make sure it's a whole one, with details close to hand. It's the difference between a good lie and getting caught.”

“Well, laddie, if you've let an old buzzard like me hurt you confidence, you couldn't have had much in the first place.”