1
" Child, use your brain. Think on your feet. Being polite and reserved is how we were raised, but we learned the hard way that the rest of the world isn't that way. I've perceived from conversation that you comprehend such things, like that swordplay with whatsit... that Titmouse, or whatever his name was. In other words, child, propriety has its place, but don't let your guard down. In real life, you never know who the plagers of Intrigue really are, or what they stand for. "
― Kristen Britain , Green Rider (Green Rider, #1)
7
" What about me?” Karigan asked.
“Hmm?”
“What part do I play?”
“You have already done more than your share,” he said. “You will rest here with the day’s other wounded and the remainder of Marshal Martel’s troops. Should we fail . . . well, I can depend on you to move these people out of harm’s way.”
“No,” Karigan said.
The king raised a brow. “No?”
Karigan shoved the blanket off and raised herself to her feet. “I’m going with you. King or not, you can’t stop me. My father is being held in the throne room.”
“You are wounded and exhausted,” Zachary said. “I don’t want you to slow us down.”
“You have a broken arm,” Karigan retorted. “Who will be slowing who?”
The king’s eyebrows shot up, and his mouth was quirked in a half smile he couldn’t quite hide. It was as if he wanted to laugh, but he knew better than to do so.
“I see,” he said.
Horse Marshal Martel appeared at the king’s side, his face impassive. “I told you, my lord, we should have left her while she was asleep.”
“I should have listened more closely,” he said. "
― Kristen Britain , Green Rider (Green Rider, #1)
16
" By the end of the fight,” he was saying, “I saw enough to recognize she had some natural talent with the sword. It was the way she moved. It was raw and instinctual, but I saw promise. You must understand that most of the students who come to me are there mostly because it is part of their coursework, or a clan tradition to receive weapons training. They hone traditional skills it is unlikely they will ever use. Minstrel students are more musician than warrior, but weapons training is required for them. The Guardians believe they should be prepared for the world they wander in, and I quite agree. But it is rare to find a student with actual interest and talent.”
Stevic stared out the window. The courtyard had fallen into shadow and silence, empty of students. Even the pigeons seemed to have fled the grounds, giving it a gloomy and abandoned feel. “I had hoped Karigan would find a talent for something, but I never expected the sword.”
“Ah, but the sword is just a beginning. I had heard about her from other instructors. Complaints, mind you, except from her riding instructor, Master Deleon. Del said she excelled at riding. When I saw Karigan put Timas Mirwell on the ground, I thought maybe I could get her to work for something else and the sword would be just a beginning, that it would inspire her to seek out whatever it was she wanted to do with her life.”
Stevic turned his gaze to the arms master. “I am fortunate my daughter had such an instructor.”
Rendle grinned. “She was fortunate to have such a father.”
Stevic raised a brow.
“I once asked her what she wanted to do with her life,” Rendle said. “She told me, something adventurous. She wanted to be a merchant like her father. It is not many children who choose to follow their parents’ footsteps.”
Stevic stilled, letting it sink in. Then he slowly shook his head and turned back to the window and the shadows. He felt buffeted by a variety of emotions: elation, fear, sadness, desperation. Where was she? “She never told me.” His voice was taut. "
― Kristen Britain , Green Rider (Green Rider, #1)
17
" Let me tell you, Forester, I’ve killed an evil creature from Kanmorhan Vane, a mercenary, and a swordmaster.” The latter claim was somewhat dubious; it had been F’ryan Cobblebay, using her body, who had defeated Torne, but it would serve to impress the giant.
He nodded solemnly. “I’m sure you’ve done a great many things, even as young as you are. Perhaps you can tell me of your adventures. It’s been a while since a Green Rider has passed this way. Please let me help you in. I promise I won’t harm you.”
Abram’s quiet voice was sincere. “Fine,” Karigan said, “but I won’t put up with anything. You make a wrong move, and I can’t promise you’ll live through the night.” She wasn’t sure, but Abram might have been smiling. "
― Kristen Britain , Green Rider (Green Rider, #1)