Never, he said firmly, be intimidated by a person because of the size of house in which they were born. - Sean Russell

Experience taught him that the future was uncertain and one could prepare for it only by learning indifference to disappointment and loss.

"My older cousins teased us—my sisters and brothers—with tales that Erasmus Flattery was a mage. We were all struck dumb in his presence, terrified that he would practice some enchantment upon us. In truth, we always hoped to see some magic, but of course we never did." She laughed again. "Children do love to believe such things."

Soldiers, Your Highness. Men trained not to think for themselves.