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8a52898
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Ignorance isn't prejudiced about who it afflicts,
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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4e64998
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None of you understand what love really is. It's not lust, or dependence, or infatuation, or familiarity. Love isn't a fondness or butterflies in your stomach." "Then what is it?" Elis managed to ask. "Love is the degree to which you are willing to sacrifice your own interests for those of another."
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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f85f025
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Royce started for the steps. Hadrian whirled with his hand up. "No! Just relax. Let me deal with this." Royce hesitated, more because Hadrian was blocking the way than because he agreed. Everyone turned to look at Hadrian as he began kicking at one of the pretty lathed spindles that decorated the porch railing. He snapped one off and wrenched it free. "Hey!" Abby said. "Sorry, I'll fix it later, but I need something blunt to hit them with."..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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075a17d
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That's what a good wife does, keeps your dreams alive even when you don't believe anymore.
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marriage
relationships
dreams
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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ae9695e
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You should have woken me. I would have taken a shift at the tiller." "We actually considered it when you started to snore." "I don't snore!" "I beg to differ," Hadrian chided while chewing. She looked around the skiff as each of them, even Etcher, nodded. Her face flushed. Hadrian chuckled. "Don't worry about it. You can't be held accountable for what you do in your sleep." "Still," she said, "it's not very ladylike." "Well, if that's all y..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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cc07fe6
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Caught early enough, the waking forest had no time to disguise itself into something mundane. This was a place of enchantments, a place where anything could happen.
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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f377d70
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Suri had a wolf named Minna. They were the best of friends and roamed the forest together. She had tattoos, was always filthy, afraid of nothing, and could do magic. From the first time I met her, I wanted to be Suri... I still do. --THE BOOK OF BRIN
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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19b9589
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That night there was more than one killer in the forest, the next day a lot more ghosts.--The Book of Brin
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killer
ghosts
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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4f8303c
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It's an heirloom, isn't it?" ... "I got it from my father." The tutor ran his hand along the sheathed blade. "This is a remarkable weapon--a knight's sword--tarnished with time and travel. You don't use it as often as the others. The bastard and short sword are tools to you, but this--ah--this is something else--something revered. It lays concealed in a paltry sheath, covered in clothes not its own. It doesn't belong there. This sword belon..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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5695dd2
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Royce smiled. "See, you can always count on people doing what is best for themselves." "Like I did?" Hadrian said. The smile left Royce's lips. "You're a freak of nature or the world's greatest fool. I'm still trying to figure that out."
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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6311249
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In my day, those who could weave the Art, and summon the natural powers of the world to their bidding, were considered agents of the gods--sacrosanct. Today they burn you if you accidentally guess tomorrow's weather.
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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029d3b2
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That reminds me, why were you letting Braga beat you?" "What do you mean?" "I saw you fighting when we first came up. Your stance was defensive, your strokes all parries and blocks. You never once attacked." "I was frightened," Hadrian lied. "Braga has won so many awards and tournament competitions, and I haven't won any." Pickering looked puzzled. "But not being noble born, you aren't allowed to enter a tournament." Hadrian pursed his lips..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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5bd8407
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They'll probably gang up on you this time." "Lovely! Any advice?" "Pray." "Which god?" "All of them."
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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e5ae14c
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Mouse?" Royce muttered. "I just can't seem to get rid of this horse, can I?"
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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abe1b25
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I know nothing about war. But let me tell you what I believe. I think running from responsibility breeds self-loathing and despair. I think people can, and do, rise to the occasion, and even a single person can make an incredible difference. What they need are leaders who believe in them, a belief that gives birth to hope. With hope, people can do remarkable things, amazing things.
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leadership
hope
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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3174ca5
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She noticed the bandage on Mauvin's arm. "You're wounded?" "More embarrassed than anything. But that's bound to happen when you're a Pickering fighting beside Hadrian. Doesn't really hurt that much, honest."
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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870ff18
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They came with hardly a warning, thousands both beautiful and terrible; They came on brilliant white horses wearing shining gold and shimmering blue; They came with dragons and whirlwinds, and giants made of stone and earth; They came and nothing could stop them. They are coming still.
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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4a76e75
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Don't you see?" She addressed the entire room. "We either fight here and win, or die trying, because there won't be anything left if we fail. This is the moment. This is the crucial point where the future of yet unborn generations will be decided either by our action or inaction. For centuries to come, people will look back at this time and rejoice at our courage or curse our weakness." She looked directly at Royce now. "For we have the pow..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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2df138b
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It amounts to the same thing. The abbot once told me that lying was a betrayal to one's self. It's evidence of self-loathing. When you are so ashamed of your actions, thoughts, or intentions, you lie rather than accepting yourself for who you really are--or, in this case, pretend something happened when it didn't. The idea of how others see you becomes more important than the reality of you. It's like when a man would rather die than be tho..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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f29ffdf
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Hadrian took the opportunity to move over and join Royce, who sat with his back to the hearth and his sight on the windows. "I'd say you're being awfully quiet, but then I might as well follow with 'Oh look, you're breathing." --
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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0daf146
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Once an idea is learned, once it settles in, it becomes comfortable and hard to discard, like an old hat. And trust me, I have many old hats. Some I haven't worn in years, but I still keep them. Emotion gets in the way of practicality. By virtue of time spent, even ideas become old friends, and if you can't bear to lose an old hat that you never wear, imagine how much harder it is to abandon ideas you grew up with.
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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c484576
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Royce sighed. The sigh was new. "You don't know this woman. This isn't your problem." "I know that." "So why are you helping her?" "Because that's what people do. They help each other. If you saw a man lying in the road with an arrow in him, you'd stop, wouldn't you?" "Of course," Royce replied, "anyone would. A wounded man is easy pickings, unless you could see from your saddle that someone else has already taken his purse." "What? No! No ..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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a70df2a
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Royce reached out and deliberately knocked Hadrian's mug over, spilling the ale across the end of the table and onto the floor. Hadrian pushed away from the table and looked at Royce, surprised. "What'd you do that for?" "You didn't get wet, did you?" He had a bemused look on his face. "No." Royce watched the ale drip off the end of the table for a moment. "That's because I knew where the ale would go. Besides, I need you sober, because if ..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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921d811
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Tonight?" Hadrian asked. "Shouldn't such things be done in the daylight? When we can both see and things with complicated names aren't flying around?" "Not if I'm right." "And if you're wrong?" "If I'm wrong, we'll both certainly die--most likely by being eaten." "The thing is, I know you're not kidding. Did I mention I lost my weapons?" "With any luck we won't need them. What we will need, however, is a good length of rope, sixty feet at l..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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8929010
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A loose board on the boat's deck creaked under Hadrian's weight and Royce glared at him. Twelve years they had worked together, and still Royce did not seem capable of understanding that Hadrian could not float. The problem was that Royce apparently could. He made it look so easy. Hadrian walked like the caricature of a thief--on his toes, his arms out for balance, wavering up and down as if he were on a tightrope. Royce walked as casually ..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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b433426
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The guards at the gate nodded and smiled at them. "I hate that," Royce muttered as they passed. "What?" "They didn't even think to stop us, and they actually smiled. They know us by sight now--by sight. Alric used to have the decency to send word discreetly and receive us unannounced. Now uniformed soldiers knock on the door in daylight, waving and saying, 'Hello, we have a job for you.'" "He didn't wave." "Give it time, he will be--waving ..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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d17291c
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Hadrian was not convinced but knew there was no reason to argue further. Gwen was not the type for debate. Most women he knew invited discussion and even enjoyed arguments, but not Gwen. There was clarity to her thinking that let you know she had already made her own journey to the inevitable conclusion and was just politely waiting there for you to join her. In her own way, she was much like Royce--except for the polite waiting.
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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05d2197
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When I was stuck in Colnora during the siege, your old friends helped get me out." "The Diamond?" Hadrian nodded. "Price arranged for me to slip away one night in exchange for delivering the letter. He preferred risking my neck rather than one of his boys." "What did it say? Who was it from?" Hadrian shrugged. "How would I know?" "You didn't read it?" Royce asked incredulously. "No, it was for Alric." "Do you still have it?" Hadrian shook h..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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b6066d9
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Losing leaves a bitter taste that lingers long after the sweetness of victory has been forgotten.
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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6c90b36
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Degan struck the wall with the back of his head, bounced off, and fell to his knees. Hadrian felt the pain in his knuckles and only then realized he had hit him. Gaunt glared up, his eyes watering, his hands cupping his face. "Crazy fool! Are you mad?" "What's going on?" Arista called back down the line. "This idiot just punched me in the face! My nose is bleeding!" "Hadrian did?" the princess said, stunned. "It was... an accident," Hadrian..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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c89e3bc
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Why didn't we ever consider sailing as a profession?" Hadrian asked Royce as he moved to the side and faced the wind. He took a deep, satisfying breath and smiled. "This is nice. A lot better than a sweaty, fly-plagued horse--and look at the land go by! How fast do you think we're going?" "The fact that we're trapped here, with no chance of retreat except into the ocean, doesn't bother you?" Hadrian glanced over the side at the heaving wave..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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f8820df
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You realize we can't go back to Sheridan." "I know." "Have to keep heading southwest now, and I don't know anything about the area. We'll probably get lost or walk into a road and a patrol." "Well"-Hadrian looked down at Royce's side-"you're bleeding again, and I think I am, too, so the good news is we'll likely die before morning. Still, I suppose it could be worse." "How?" "They could have caught us at the tavern, or we could have dr..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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cad0669
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You realize the moment you dropped that book, we stopped being partners," Royce said. "Oh yeah-you're right. Huh. I should have left you for dead after all." "What's the real reason? Just before we started up, you said that you were going to kill me after the job. You were going to show me how you use that big sword." "I did. Weren't you watching?" "Yes, I was, but you were going to use it to kill me." "Damn it-you're right. I forgot."..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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5b4da2c
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You came all this way for a whore?" Albert asked, and Royce shot him a harsh look. "Don't call her that if you want to live a long and happy life," Hadrian said as they dismounted. "But this is a whorehouse--a brothel, right? And you're here to see a woman, so--" "So keep talking, Albert." Hadrian tied his horse to the post. "Just let me get farther away." Gwen saved our lives," Royce said, looking up at the porch. "I beat on doors. I even ..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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acddd78
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Besides, when you found me, I was a much different person." "I remember," the wizard said thoughtfully. "You were like a rabid dog, snapping at everything and everyone. Clearly, my genius in matching you up with Hadrian worked wonders. I knew his noble heart would eventually soften yours." "Yeah, well, travel with a guy long enough and you start picking up his bad habits. You have no idea how many times I almost killed him when we first sta..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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47ece54
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Look,' Mercator told her. 'You can talk to a person. You can reason with an individual. Usually. But , that's another thing altogether. In a group is where they lose their way. Doesn't matter if it's humans, dwarves, or mir, if you put three or more in a room, they'll manufacture stupid like it was spun gold. They're like honeybees that way, except the product is never sweet. Don't listen to . Listen to . Don't listen to , listen to a ..
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michael-j-sullivan
riyria
riyria-chronicles
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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bb62ec2
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Shall we, partner?" "See you on the other side, pal." Hadrian threw his arms around the thief and, surprisingly, felt Royce hug him back. With one final smile, Royce pushed open the door and disappeared into the darkness of the Vault of Days."
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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c452628
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You fight like a street thug," Mauvin commented. "Because that's what he is," Royce assured them as he approached from the direction of the keep, "a big, dumb street thug. I once saw an old woman batter him senseless with a butter churn." He shifted his attention to Hadrian. "Now what have you gotten yourself into? Looks like this kid will hand you a beating." Mauvin stiffened and glared at Royce. "I would remind you that I'm a count's son,..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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b94ac66
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Hadrian walked over to where the boys were fighting and sat on the grass near Denek to watch. Denek, who was only twelve years old, glanced at him curiously. "Who are you?" "My name is Hadrian," he replied as he extended his hand. The boy shook it, squeezing harder than was necessary. "You're Denek, right? The Pickerings' third son? Perhaps you should speak with my friend Myron, seeing as how I hear you are monastery-bound." "Am not!" he sh..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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8018723
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Enough of the lessons," Mauvin said, clearly irritated at being the illustration of a fencing mistake. "Let's show him a real demonstration." "Looking for a rematch?" Hadrian asked. "Curious if it was luck." Hadrian smiled and muttered, "Pickerings." He took off his shirt and, wiping his face and hands, threw it on the grass and raised his sword to ready position. Mauvin lunged and immediately the two began to fight. The swords sang as they..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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4972769
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Getting older, Mawyndule, is like climbing a mountain. The higher you go, the greater the view. From time to time, you look back. At such heights, you can see paths behind you: the trails you took and the ones you foolishly disregarded; the blind alleys you fortunately missed, purely out of chance rather than by some greater wisdom on your part. You also spot others following you, people making the same stupid decisions. From your elevated ..
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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0ee5c07
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It took a while to master the right phrases, but once I got him going, old Gilly--boy--he took to it like a knife to a soft back." "Gilly?" Hadrian asked, laughing. "A pet has to have a name, doesn't it? Later I'm planning to teach it fetch and roll over, but for now, dig and sic 'em will do"
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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34954e9
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What length will a mother go to on behalf of her child? How long is time? What is the depth of love? --
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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b8cf92b
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Myron took the moment to sit down on the stone bench behind him and whispered to Hadrian, "You were right. Life outside the abbey is much more exciting than books."
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exciting-life
real-life
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Michael J. Sullivan |