A brave man could conquer fear, he had learned that, but perhaps only for a time. It was something the young did not understand, the way it could gnaw at a man, the way it came back stronger every time, until you were alone and gasping for breath.

— Conn Iggulden

A man needs to feel a little fear, Told, if only to have the pride of conquering it.

— Conn Iggulden

As he prepared to ride on, he chuckled at the thought of the wolf entering the sheepfold. He would not ride with fire and destruction. The shepherd did not frighten his own pretty lambs.

— Conn Iggulden

Be careful in your life, Told. I want you fit and strong for when I come for you.

— Conn Iggulden

Courage cannot be left like bones in a bag. It must be brought out and shown the light again and again, growing stronger each time. If you think it will keep for the times you need it, you are wrong. It is like any other part of your strength. If you ignore it, the bag will be empty when you need it most.

— Conn Iggulden

For the khan, we will take their cities, their women, and their lands. This is the great raid, the farthest strike in the history of the nation of Genghis. We will not be stopped.

— Conn Iggulden

Get up,” she said. “Get up, my lord. If you do not have long, there is still much to do. You must not waste another day, another morning! Take hold of your life with both hands and crush it to you, my lord. You will not have another in this world.

— Conn Iggulden

God had mercy, he knew. The Mongols had none.

— Conn Iggulden

He would never understand women, he thought. They were life’s great mystery.

— Conn Iggulden

History was more than just stories, he reminded himself as the men walked forward with their burdens. It taught lessons as well.

— Conn Iggulden