QUOTE : Although my pulse thrummed in my throat, beating wildly against the knuckles of Charon’s fist, I forced my eyes to meet his. If I was going to die, I was going to stare into the face of my death when it happened. I held my breath. But after another long moment, I saw the white fury fade from behind the slave master’s eyes. “You cost me a man, and you cost me a wagon, and yet here I am, rescuing you from the ravages of your own stupidity,” he hissed. “I must be mad.” “Leave me here among these ruins, then,” I said, half-defiant, half-afraid he would do just that, “and I’ll trouble you no more.” “Don’t tempt me,” he said. “Listen to me. You’re a fool, and you know nothing. You don’t even know what you’re worth. But I do.