First Test

“I'd like to find whoever taught the Stump that extra work builds character and push him down the stairs," Neal told Kel at lunch.”

“You know, ogres only sound stupid. Most are pretty smart.""And it's a shallow person who judges anyone by the way they sound. I'm so shallow I'm surprised I don't reflect myself.”

“Well, label me very impressed and ship me to Carthak!”

“You aren't a bit romantic, are you?" he asked, amused.She sat back and stared at him. She was beginning to think that Neal required a keeper. He seemed to have the craziest ideas. "Romance? Isn't that love stuff?" She asked finally."It's more than just love. It's color, and-and fire. You don't want things magnificent and filled with-with grandeur," he said, trying to make her understand. "You know, drama. Importance. Transcendent Passion.""I just want to be a knight," Kel retorted, putting her used tableware on her tray. "Eat your vegetables. They're good for you.”

“What if custom is wrong? demanded the part of her that believed in the code of chivalry. A knight must set things right.”

“Don't you ever get tired of asking questions?''Never. They're mother's milk to me.”

“If I were useful, you wouldn't know it was me.”

“She promised herself that from now on she would try to sit as close to Neal as possible. She could not kick someone eight chairs away.”

“You'll see. I'm as good as any boy. I'm better. - Kel”

“Reflect as if you have all of time, even when time is short.”

“If he were any stiffer, Alanna thought wryly, I'd paint a design on him and use him for a shield.”

“This is what I've come to," he said mournfully. "Following little birdies”

“Don't go thinking you can bounce me all over the ground just because I look like somebody's grandmother," the woman said dryly. "Some grandchildren need more raising than others, and I supply it," she grinned, showing very white teeth. -- Esa Bell, Shang Wildcat”

“You can smack some people in the face with a haddock and they’ll still call it a mouse if a mouse is what they want to see.”

“Gods of fire and ice, bless my new home," she whispered in Yamani. "Keep my will burning as hot as the heart of the volcano, and as hard and implacable as a glacier.”

“Besides, haven't you noticed how tiring losing your temper is?""I've noticed it gets you punishments," the redheaded boy replied with a shrug. "Maybe it's the same thing.""Well, you're tired at the end of both, so there you are," Kel said practically.”