Tamora Pierce

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

Mistresses, have you ever noticed that when we disagree with a male _ I hesitate to say __an_ _ or find ourselves in a position over males, the first comment they make is always about our reputations or our monthlies?__ne of the new women snorted. Others snic

Don't die on me," she whispered when the clock struck midnight and he still had not moved. "It's only a little shoulder wound. Goddess, George-don't die on me."His eyes flickered open and he smiled. "I didn't know you cared," he whispered. "And why insult me? I won't die for a wee nick like this; I've had worse in my day."Alanna wiped her wet cheeks. "Of course I care, you unprincipled pickpocket!" she whispered. "Of course I care.

She's all over us like maggots on garbage, just because I interfered with one pickpocket yesterday.

He was stupid. If I killed everyone who was stupid, I wouldn't have time to sleep.

Thus went my first Court Day.I think I'm going to puke.

You're more trouble than you're worth." "I'm a girl. That's my job.

Cats aren__ special advisers. They advise us all the time, whether we want them to or no.

Curiosity killed the cat,_ Fesgao remarked, his dark eyes unreadable.Aly rolled her eyes. Why did everyone say that to her? __eople always forget the rest of the saying,_ she complained. ___nd satisfaction brought it back.

Oh, Daja," moaned Jory, "you sound just like my parents." She ran from the schoolroom."Well, there's no reason to insult me, "muttered Daja, half offended.

I forgot my purse of laughter when I dressed this mornin'," she told me. "Have you not bought anythin' the last few days? Prices have gone up. Pay or starve, it's all one to me.

Never break a promise to an animal. They're like babies__hey won't understand.

Once she was certain, she didn't waiver. I had to make her stop for water or a bite to eat. She obeyed, but she was restless. As clear as if she spoke to me, she was saying, "Very well, I know you want to keep my strength up, but scent fades, you know!"And I'd say, "I know, girl, but you're what I have and I'm going to take care of you.

That night, the Raka conspirators had plenty of news to report, particularly Ochobu. Aly had not known that the mages of the Chain had been laboring to eliminate any mages who had worked magic on the Crown__ behalf. So far they had killed seven of the most powerful.Chelaol would call this count of the dead another __ood start,_ Aly thought grimly. This crude business of counting up lives taken struck her as a bad idea. It took the horror from death. When Ochobu named four mages on Lombyn who had had been killed in the streets of their towns, it had been about numbers, not lives. Maybe this is how you become a Rittevon, she thought. You get used to the dead being described as numbers, not fathers or daughters or grandparents.She turned to Dove when Ochobu finished, 'don__ ever be like this,' she urged. 'don__ think that it doesn__ matter if you only hear of murder as a number. If you keep it at a distance.

We're on a hunt, Cooper. When you're on a hunt, you do whatever it takes.

Lark: "You shouldn't yell at

There's plenty more fish in the sea than Prince Jonathan," he told her softly. "And this particular fish loves you with all his crooked heart."-George to Alanna

You know something? There are sandstorms that strip man and horse and bury them _ I've seen them. I saw bones piled higher than my head for the folly of a bad king and those who wanted his throne. I lived through a blizzard that froze every other living creature solid. Against those things, you're only a man. I can deal with you.