He jumped down, started waving his arms around while he went to squeaking and squealing in one of those languages wizards use so the rest of us will … - Glen Cook

I am not religious. I cannot conceive of gods who would give a damn about humanity’s frothy carryings-on. I mean, logically, beings of that order just wouldn’t. But maybe there is a force for greater good, created by our unconscious minds conjoined, that becomes an independent power greater than the sum of its parts. Maybe, being a mindthing, it is not time-bound. Maybe it can see everywhere and everywhen and move pawns so that what seems to be today’s victory becomes the cornerstone of tomorrow’s defeat.
Maybe weariness did things to my mind.

I began to back away.
This is how I handle my women. Duck for cover when they get distressed.

But, no. It was too late. Fortune’s die was cast. The cruel game had to be played to its end, no matter what anyone wanted.