Achilles’ eyes lift. They are bloodshot and dead. “I wish he had let you all die.

— Madeline Miller

Achilles weeps. He cradles me, and will not eat, nor speak a word other than my name.

— Madeline Miller

Because you made me feel, Flick. Everyone is so predictable, but you? You showed up and rocked my world.

— Emma Winters

Besides," said Suriyawong. "This was not a rescue operation."" What was it, target practice? Chinese skeet?"" An offer of transportation to an invited guest of the Hegemony," said Suriyawong. "And the loan of a knife." Achilles held up the bloody thing, dangling it from the point. "Yours?" he asked." Unless you want to clean it," said Suriyawong. Achillese handed it to him. Suriyawong took out his cleaning kit and wiped down the blade, then began to polish it." You wanted me to die," said Achilles quietly." I expected you to solve your own problems," said Suriyawong.

— Orson Scott Card

Bury us, and mark our names above. Let us be free.

— Madeline Miller

For Achilles, the death of Patrols pushed him into a fury, but it was not only grief that drove him. It was also a sense of shame and guilt because he had not been there to protect his friend. Sometimes men in combat feel this sort of survivor’s guilt even though, realistically, they could have done nothing to prevent their comrade’s death.

— Nel Noddings

He looked different in sleep, beautiful but cold as moonlight.

— Madeline Miller

He looked different in sleep, beautiful but cold as moonlight. I found myself wishing he would wake so that I might watch the life return.

— Madeline Miller

I have done it," she says. At first, I do not understand. But then I see the tomb, and the marks she has made on the stone. A C H I L L E S, it reads. And beside it, P A T-ROC L U S." Go," she says. "He waits for you." In the darkness, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out of the sun.

— Madeline Miller

Indeed, he seemed utterly unaware of his effect on the surrounding boys.

— Madeline Miller