Maria V Snyder Quotes

Anyway, the odds were against you. Most lost big, while only a few - " Rand paused dramatically " - won big."

"Since you're here, I suppose you won big."

He smiled. "Yelena, I'm always going to bet on you. You're like one of the Commander's terriers. A tiny, yappy dog you wouldn't look at twice, but once it grabs your pant leg, it won't let go."

"Poison the dog's meat and it won't bother you anymore. ~ Maria V. Snyder

When the effort fails, is it worth the cost? ~ Maria V. Snyder

Back so soon?" he asked. "Too bad. I was just about to organize a search for your dead body. What happened when you knocked on the southerner magician's door to sacrifice yourself? Did they kick you out, thinking you too half-witted to waste their time on? ~ Maria V. Snyder

Words are easy. It's convincing the heart that's hard. ~ Maria V. Snyder

You had me tied in knots. You saved Belen's life, and I wanted to kill and thank you all at the same time. And during those nights when we didn't know if you'd live or die, I went from being angry, to worried to frustrated to scared all within a single heartbeat. If you had die, I would have killed you. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I know I hated magic for a reason," Janco said. "Congratulations. This is the first time you've had a VALID reason to hate something," Ari countered. "Remember your campaign against sand?"
"Sand! Horrid little stuff. Gets everywhere. I had a perfectly good argue
"
"Janco." Ari's voice rumbled deep in his throat.
In a heartbeat, Janco switched gears. "Well, this blood magic sounds worse than sand. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I shook my head at Janco. "I've got the situation under control. Go back to the Keep, I'll meet you there."
Janco stared at me in astonished silence. Ari, though, trusted me. "Come on, she doesn't need our help." Ari sheathed his sword. Janco recovered. He flashed me one of his mischievous grins. "I'll bet you a copper that she'll be free in five minutes," he said to Ari.
Ari grunted in amusement. "A silver on ten minutes," he countered.
"I'll bet you both a gold coin that she kills him," Valek said
from behind them. They moved aside and he entered, still dressed in his Adviser Ilom disguise. "The only way to take care of your problem. Right, love? ~ Maria V. Snyder

Good food, fresh water, an occasional sweet and someone to care for. That's what everyone should have. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Ah, Kerry. You've found your heart. Who is she?"
...
"A healer, but she's ... gone. ~ Maria V. Snyder

It's incomprehensible to me why a magician would create something that can be used against him. It's like giving your sword to your previously unarmed enemy, and then being surprised when he stabs you with it!" Bruns ~ Maria V. Snyder

Valek coalesced from the shadows and wrapped me in his long lean arms. I soaked in his musky smell, listening to his heart beat. Strong and steady. No indication that he had been sneaking around. ~ Maria V. Snyder

It's a good thing you're not my Story Weaver. You're easily distracted by the pattern of the cloth and can't see the quality of the threads." "Well ~ Maria V. Snyder

I feel an extremely annoyed thunderstorm nearby," Kade warned. "Actually, I'm the one annoyed. The thunderstorm could go either way." - Storm Glass ~ Maria V. Snyder

I never said it would be easy. Giving up is easy. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Unfortunately, diplomacy was a dance I needed to learn. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Nice Kerrick was scarier than Mean Kerrick. ~ Maria V. Snyder

[Riley] slapped his hands to his face and then dropped them as if in surrender. 'I always say the wrong thing around you. Look, can we start over?'
Over?"
Yes. Over. Wipe the board clean.'
But I would have to go back to hating you and not trusting you' I said
Oh, well don't do that.' He paused and chewed his lip. 'Does that mean you like and trust me now?' "
- Riley and Trella ~ Maria V. Snyder

A full-out rebellion would take a major amount of luck and coordination. The Tech Nos and Domotor looked at me, waiting. No one else would be able to organize both sides. I drew in a deep breath. We had the technology, the intelligence and the people - put enough sheep together and you have a herd, a force to be reckoned with. We needed a leader. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Your mother sounds like a formidable woman," Valek said into the silence.
"You have no idea," Leif replied with a sigh.
"Well, if she's anything like Yelena, my deepest sympathies," Valek teased.
"Hey!"
Leif laughed and the tense moment dissipated.
Valek handed Leif his machete. "Do you know how to use it?"
"Of course. I chopped Yelena's bow into firewood," Leif joked. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Lief. That's not nice, considering all your sister has done for you," admonished Perl.
"Oh right. How could I forget that she made me bait for a snake, left me on house arrest in Ixia, and smuggled me into the Keep in a coffin. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Whiskey Wendi," Kerrick said.
"Oh, yes," Loren said. A slow smile spread on his lips. "That was Grzebien? Wow that was ... a wild time."
"That was also over a year ago before Estrid and when the Booze Baron ruled the town. Do you really think the people would remember us?" Quain asked.
"Whiskey Wendi," Loren repeated, looking at Quain with a gleam in his eyes.
"Oh, yeah." Quain grinned. "Yeah, they'd remember. ~ Maria V. Snyder

You can't let the past ruin your future. ~ Maria V. Snyder

It can't be good news," Leif said. "I'd doubt you would brave the weather just to say hello."
"You opened the door before I could knock," I said. "You must know something's up."
Leif wiped the rain from his face. "I smelled you coming."
"Smelled?"
"You reek of Lavender. Do you bathe in Mother's perfume or just wash your cloak with it?" he teased.
"How mundane. I was thinking of something a little more magical. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Parents teach their children to share, to play fair, to be honest. But ... surprise! Life isn't fair. And it takes a while to transition from the childhood lies to the adult reality. I ~ Maria V. Snyder

Yes, I thought I'd try electrocution next. Since a bomb, a fire, Vinco's knife and a brief encounter with outer space didn't kill me. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Sieges weathered. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I'm your mother. I see all. Hear all. Know all. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Skewer is just too vague. I think if you say, 'Stand back or I'll stab him in the stomach,' then I have an idea about how serious you are. After all, Leif's stomach is his favorite body part so that's a decent threat. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I peered deeper and found my soul. A little tattered and with some holes, but there all the same. It had always been there, I realized with shock. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Generals trump Majors," Ursan said.
"True, but do princes trump generals?"
"I attacked him."
"Ryne's not the type to hold a grudge."
Ursan considered. "Isn't he a king? Both his parents died"
"Technically, yes. But he hasn't assumed the title."
"Neither has Prince Kerrick," Ursan said. " Don't you find that odd?"
"Not with Kerrick. He loved his father very much. I think it's still too painful for him to assume the title. Plus he hasn't been home in years."
Ursan remained quiet until we reached his tent. "Prince Kerrick's a forest mage. Which means his eyes change colour with the seasons. Right?"
"Yes."
He stared at me for a moment. "Lucky guy." Ursan ducked into his tent. ~ Maria V. Snyder

You certainly are real. A real pain in the ass, but that's who I fell in love with. ~ Maria V. Snyder

As far as threats went, Yelena couldn't be outdone. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Before Kiki and I headed toward the Keep, I thanked my friends.
"For what? We didn't do anything," Janco grumbled.
"For caring enough to follow my guards. And the next time, I might need the help."
"There better not be a next time," Ari said, giving me a stern look.
"How touching," Janco said, pretending to wipe his eyes.
"Get going, Yelena. I don't want you to see me cry." He faked a sniffle.
"I'm sure your ego can handle it," I said. "Or will you need to beat up some trainees to feel like a man again?"
"Very funny," he said. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Sneaks, spies, defenders, heroes, masterminds, tenacious bastards - it doesn't matter what you call us. We're the ones who will do whatever it takes to stop those who believe they're entitled to wealth and power at the expense of others."
"The family business," Yelena said, smiling. ~ Maria V. Snyder

But how many times can you upset someone and still return to normal? Isn't there a point when the person gives up on you? ~ Maria V. Snyder

I signaled when Owen's wife was linked to him, who was linked to Yelena. Valek paused, marveling at the intricacies of magical communication. Ixia really needed to find a way to keep up. ~ Maria V. Snyder

What we do with our free time is none of your business. Now, why don't you shuffle off to Parffet. I saw him heading toward the latrines. He'll need you to wipe his ass soon. It's the one skill you're most suited for. - Ari, pg. 188. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Devlen: Stop second-guessing yourself. Do what you need to do. Don't apologize. When the time comes, you'll know what is important and what isn't.
Opal: I thought you said there weren't any easy answer.
Devlen: I didn't say it would be easy. Sometimes being true to yourself is the hardest thing to do. ~ Maria V. Snyder

You asked how I can be so calm. I don't have time not to be. I would like to grieve and worry and carry on, but that doesn't achieve results. ~ Maria V. Snyder

But you've slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Pain jabbed Janco where the lower half of his right ear used to be. He rubbed the scar. "Now, I'm not a genius - "
"Got that right," Ari mumbled. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Run," he whispered. "Run."
"No, Rand," I said, brushing the dirt from his face. "I'm tired of running."
"Forgive me, please." He clutched my hand as his eyes beseeched me through tears of pain.
"You're forgiven."
He sighed once, then stopped breathing. The shine in his brown eyes dulled. I pulled his hood over his head. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Leif: Getting killed would have been easier. No guilt. No worries. No fear. Caring for someone is terrible and wonderful. I don't know if I have the strength to do it for another. How do you deal with it?
Yelena: I focus on the wonderful parts and suffer through the terrible parts, knowing it will end eventually. ~ Maria V. Snyder

It had been wishful thinking, plain and simple, dangerous for me to indulge in. Hope, happiness and freedom were not in my future. ~ Maria V. Snyder

My cape caught fire. I dived to the sand and rolled on the ground to snuff the flames. So much for my grand entrance. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Valek's thoughts returned to Yelena. An icy finger of loneliness touched the emptiness inside him. She was in Sitia, where she needed to be to learn about her magical powers, but she had taken his heart with her. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Stay Safe,' I ordered.
He smiled. 'I'm not the one getting pulled into fires, love. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I left Kiki in the yard, and fetched my pick and brushes.
She lifted her leg and I dislodged the stone then pulled the shedding blade through her copper hair. After a while, I removed my cloak. When I finished, clumps of horse hair clung to my sweaty clothes.
You're beautiful and I need a bath, I said to her. Pasture or stall?
Stall. Nap time.
And what about your snooze before I groomed you?
Pre nap. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Pretty stupid," I called after his retreating form. "To give up before all possible solutions have been tried. ~ Maria V. Snyder

To Yelena, our newest food taster. May you last longer than your predecessor. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I offer my heart, entrust my soul and give my life to you. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Nothing says you care for me better than offering to torture my enemies."
He grinned. "No sense doing things halfhearted. And to think, some girls have to endure listening to poetry. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Your soul fits the void in my soul perfectly. ~ Maria V. Snyder

The creator had nothing to do with her rescue." "Yeah, he should have cried, thank the Flea!" Quain said. "Ooh, I like. We should use it all the time," Loren added. They tried out variations of it as they headed inside with Flea trotting behind them. "Guess ~ Maria V. Snyder

You have slipped under my skin, invaded my blood, and seized my heart. You have poisoned me. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Your life is like this snake's coils. No matter how many turns it makes, you'll end up back where you belong. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Poisoned, pursued and living with a psychopath. Not what I would consider the good life. Death has its perks. ~ Maria V. Snyder

You look like hell,' he said to me in a low voice.
'Gee, Dax, don't coat it with honey. Tell me what you really think,' I said. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Riley - "Don't worry, there are many safeguards in place. Unless you want me to have Logan explain - "
Trella - "No! I trust you."
He clutched his hands to his chest. "She ... Gasp ... Trusts me! Call for medical aid stat!"
I swung at him, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to my feet.
Snaking his arms around my waist, he said, "We need to celebrate this momentous occasion."
"What are we celebrating?" Jacob Ashon, Riley's father, asked from the doorway. ~ Maria V. Snyder

We are searching for the same thing," Stripey said.
"How do you know?" Janco asked.
"I read his mind." The Sitian pointed to Ari. "Yours was too ... chaotic. Too many useless thoughts to wade through."
A compliment or an insult? Janco guessed compliment and preened. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Mr. Kerrick wants your hair one color so you don't stand out so much.
Mr. Kerrick could kiss my ass. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Some Queen of the Pipes, I thought. I'd believed I was better than a mindless drone. But I was the mindless one, hiding away. Even now I referred to them as if I didn't belong. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Well, Valek, any new promotions?" the Commander asked
"No. But Maren shows promise. Unfortunately she doesn't want to be in my corps or even be my second.She just wants to beat me." Valek grinned, delighted by the challenge.
"And can she?" the Commander inquired. His eyebrows rose.
"With time and the proper training. She's deadly with her bow; it's just her tactics that need work."
"Then what do we do with her?"
"Promote her to General and retire some of those old wind-bags. We could use some fresh blood in the upper ranks."
"Valek, you never had a good grasp of military structure."
"Then promote her to First Lieutenant today, Captain tomorrow, Major the next day, Colonel the day after, and General the day after that."
"I'll take it under advisement. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I wanted to dissolve into the floor, mixing myself with the hard stone. A stone had a single purpose: to be. No complicated promises, no worries and no feelings. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Yelena, you've driven me crazy. You've caused me considerable trouble and I've contemplated ending your life twice since I've known you." Valek's warm breath in my ear sent a shiver down my spine.
"But you've slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart."
"That sounds more like a poison than a person," was all I could say. His confession had both shocked and thrilled me.
"Exactly," Valek replied. "You have poisoned me. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Should haves lead to death ~ Maria V. Snyder

Did you live here?" Leif asked. I nodded. "For two years"."Where did you stay?" "I had a room in Valek's suite." Leif shot me an incredulous look. "Boy, you worked fast. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Love trumps logic. And when it comes to you, love, I can be extremely irrational. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Here we go. Kerrick was as subtle as a thunderstorm. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Pushing magic toward the candle, I willed it to light. Nothing happened.
Irys made a strangled sound and the candle burned. "Are you directing your magic to the candle?"
"Yes. Why?"
"You just ordered me to light the candle for you," Irys said in exasperation. "And I did it. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I do know I felt as if my heart had been shredded when I found you in our storeroom, unconscious and bleeding. And leaving you with Vinco in the holding cells was the hardest thing I've ever done.
- Riley to Trella ~ Maria V. Snyder

So who gave him his name?" I asked.
"Kerrick," Belen answered.
Not who I'd expect. "Why 'Flea'?"
A full-out grin spread across Flea's face. "Cause I'm fast and hard to catch."
"Because he's a pest and hard to squash," Belen said.
"Because he jumps about three feet in the air when you scare him," Loren added.
"Because he's annoying and makes us itch with impatience," Quain said.
"Thanks, guys. I love you too." Flea made exaggerated kissing noises and patted his ass. ~ Maria V. Snyder

He huffed in amusement. She had the unique ability to attract danger even when in benign situations. Perhaps he should amend his plan and just watch her. ~ Maria V. Snyder

One, and two, and three, four, five. Keep fighting like this and you will die, Janco sang. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Lavender Lady not go again," Kiki said in my mind.
"I'll try to avoid it. No promises, though."
She huffed. "Next time Kiki go."
"A Horsefinder?"
"Help Lavender Lady. ~ Maria V. Snyder

It's a dirty way to fight, but I'm late for lunch.
- Valek to Yelena ~ Maria V. Snyder

... Yelena? Hello?" Leif poked my arm.
"I'm here."
"What are we going to do?" Leif asked me.
"It's too late to go anywhere else. Kiki and the horses will watch the outside of the building and alert me if anyone approaches."
"Ooh, guard horses. How quaint. ~ Maria V. Snyder

There is a reason for everything. You might not be able to figure it out, and time might have made us all forget it, but the reason is there all the same. ~ Maria V. Snyder

It was all a part of being trustworthy - of being a piece of sea glass. High tides, low tides, storms, sand and mistakes all contributed to the polishing process. Though difficult to endure at the time, the demanding elements helped smooth the surface, transforming one into a better person, not worse. A person who learned from the harsh environment, who knew the storm would end, and who felt confident she would still be in one piece. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Ari grunted a greeting. "What took you ... so long?" His breath huffed with the effort.
"I stopped for a snack, and ordered us a couple beers," Janco said. "We should finish him soon. I hate warm beer. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I am Trella the victorious leader of the Force of Sheep rebellion. Yes the name sounds ridiculous, and I still can't believe we named a major life changing event after livestock - or actually a stuffed animal - but it made sense at the time. ~ Maria V. Snyder

You missed the point completely! You're acting ... " The word stuck in my throat.
He didn't hesitate to say it. "Jealous?" When I nodded, he continued. "Now you're missing the point. It isn't jealousy. It's fear."
"Fear?" Not the emotion I expected.
"Yes. Fear. I'm afraid you'll be hurt or killed. I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you. I'm afraid I'll lose you to another man. ~ Maria V. Snyder

You are afraid." Leif challenged.
"Am not."
"Are too."
"Am not."
"Then prove it."
I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.
Finally, I said, "I hate you."
Leif smiled. "The feeling is mutual ~ Maria V. Snyder

Knife fighting was his forte, but he wouldn't have time to have a proper match. Pity. ~ Maria V. Snyder

After almost two hours of creeping around the forest, one of the jacks discovered Belen. He had fallen asleep, and the young man had literally tripped over him. So much for his reputation. ~ Maria V. Snyder

There, that's better. Now you look like the wild scrub that fell into my life."
"Because you loosened the vent's screws."
"Best. Decision. Ever. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Sorry. An overdeveloped nurturing instinct comes with being a healer. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I did what any good rat would do. I bit down on the guard's hand until I tasted blood. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Mixing myself with the hard stone. A stone had a single purpose: to ~ Maria V. Snyder

In the war room, love? What if someone comes in?"
I stood and removed his shirt. "Then they'll have a good story to tell."
"Good?" He adopted the pretense of being offended.
"Prove me wrong. ~ Maria V. Snyder

There might be plenty of rainy days, but those perfect ones will make all the memories of rain disappear. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Did she just-"
"Yes."
"But I don't-"
"Yes you do. We both stink."
"Well, I'm not-"
"Yes. You are."
He huffed. "You wont let-"
"No. No complaining. Let's go." I grabbed a clean shirt and pants from my saddlebags.
"Well, she could have handled it better," he grumped.
"No. She couldn't."
He settled into a sulky silence as we visited the bathhouse. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I doubt I would ever be missed. Noted absent, charged delinquent, reprimanded but never missed. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Sleep? What's that? A new type of casserole? ~ Maria V. Snyder

I didn't know whether to feel smart for figuring out Kiki's advice, or feel like a simpleton for having a horse tell me the right thing to do ~ Maria V. Snyder

My plans had seemed straightforward, then my road kept dipping and turning and I kept getting caught in its traps. No I felt mired in mud in the middle of nowhere. Lost. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Oh, you made an impression. Like a stone caught in my boot. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Exactly. You can shoulder all the blame and become a martyr. Provided anyone knows what or who you're martyring for. Or you can accept that some things are important enough to fight for and realize there will be sacrifices along the way. ~ Maria V. Snyder

She put her hands on her hips and surveyed the area with a cocky smile on her face. The smirk spread when the traitor met my gaze.
"No hello for your old friend?" she asked me. "Don't be rude Baby Face."
"Go to hell, Wynn. ~ Maria V. Snyder

No problem. I know you'll want to take a closer look. It's irresistible, like candy and babies."

"I know I'm going to regret asking this, but you find candy and babies irresistible?" Ari asked.

"Hell no. They're both sticky."

His partner waited.

"Some people find them irresistible. And, you know..." Janco waved his hand. "They're easy to steal...or something like that."

"I was right."

"About what?"

"I regret asking that question. ~ Maria V. Snyder