Home > Work > The Crown Tower (The Riyria Chronicles, #1)
41 " Hadrian turned to look out at the lake. “I hear they have good fishing.” Royce lifted his head to look at him. “You’re a very odd man.” “You were the one talking about evil geese . "
― Michael J. Sullivan , The Crown Tower (The Riyria Chronicles, #1)
42 " She was too proud to eat her share of what little food we had. She told me she had. She swore she did. But every time I complained about being so hungry it hurt, she always offered me a nut or a partially rotted turnip, claiming she had just found two and already ate hers.” Rose sniffled and wiped her eyes again. “After she was gone, I left my pride in that little hut and begged my way to Medford. I’d do anything. Once you’ve spent an afternoon chasing a fly around your house for dinner, once you’ve eaten spiders whole and drooled over worms found while burying your mother with your bare hands, there’s nothing beneath you. All I wanted was to live-I’d forgotten everything else. A clod of dirt doesn’t have dreams. A bit of broken stone doesn’t understand hope. Each morning, all I wanted was to see the next dawn. "
43 " Perhaps one of us should talk to him?” Eugene suggested. “If we find out his story, there might be nothing to fear.” “Our young apprentice has a point,” Sebastian said with enough surprise in his voice to draw a scowl from the younger man. “It’s upsetting to have a tiger about and not know if it’s hungry. Go speak to him, Eugene.” “No thank you. I had the idea.” “Well I certainly can’t,” Sebastian said. “I’m far too talkative. It’s a trait that has often led to problems. We don’t want to provoke the man unnecessarily. What about you, Samuel?” “Are you insane? You don’t send a lamb to question a tiger. The soldier should go. He has nothing to be afraid of. Even a murderer would think twice before challenging a man with two swords.” They all looked at Hadrian. “What do you want to know?” “His name,” Sebastian suggested. “Where he’s from. What he does-” “If he’s the murderer-” Vivian burst in. “I’m not so sure you’ll want to lead with that,” Samuel said. “But isn’t that what we all want to know?” “Yes, but who would admit to such a thing? Better to get enough information to build a picture and then infer the truth from that.” “But if you ask straight out, that will serve as a warning that we’re wise to him and on our guard. Any plans he might have will be spoiled and abandoned.” “How about I just see how things go,” Hadrian said, rising. "
44 " That won’t change anything. Can’t you see the danger we are all in? You’re blind and a fool!’ Samuel said. Hadrian laid a hand casually on the pommel of his short sword and Samuel stiffened. ‘I’ll add deaf to that list, but only this once,’ Hadrian said softly. "
45 " From now on, no talking,” Royce told him, having to shout to be heard over the wind as he hoisted the coil over his head. Is that supposed to be a joke? "
46 " Yes, a team, partners, as in two people working together, pooling their talents for a common goal. In elvish they have a word for it. They call it—” “Riyria,” Royce finished for him. "