It's a rare man who can guard against beauty.

— Anthony Ryan

I've survived revolution, war, and over a decade on this continent," the Bur grave reflected. "But by all the ghosts of the hundred emperors, I think fatherhood will finally do me in.

— Anthony Ryan

I was a slave, but never a fool. This empire is vast beyond imagining, and we have killed only a fraction of the force they will bring against us. They will kill us, all of us, for we are slaves, and we cannot be allowed even the barest hope of freedom. Without us, they have no empire.

— Anthony Ryan

Love must risk all or perish.

— Anthony Ryan

Lust? I have no desire to incite lust in anyone." Veliss turned to her with a quizzical expression, her smile suddenly genuine. "Then I'm afraid you're in for a lifetime of disappointment.

— Anthony Ryan

Nobility is a lie. A pretence that high standing comes from anything more than money or martial prowess. Any dolt can play the noble, and as you'll discover in time, daughter, it's mostly dolts who do.

— Anthony Ryan

Only in war does the madman become sane.

— Anthony Ryan

Power comes at a price, love," Relies replied through bared teeth, maintaining the smile she offered to the townsfolk lining the square." What power?"" All power. The power to rule, to kill, or, in your case this fine morning, the power to incite the lust of the old goat you're about to meet."" Lust? I have no desire to incite lust in anyone." Veliss turned to her with a quizzical expression, her smile suddenly genuine. "Then I'm afraid you're in for a lifetime of disappointment.

— Anthony Ryan

The price of stability is unpreparedness.

— Anthony Ryan

The promise of power wasn't enough, he thought. So now she tempts me with knowledge.

— Anthony Ryan