Age of Legend

Pain, fear, drudgery, boredom, lots of boredom—these are the things that build character. And you need to experience loss and remorse because falling down gives you the opportunity to rise once more. Overcoming challenges turns a self-centered infant into a caring adult. Empathy—the ability to understand and appreciate the feelings of others—is the cornerstone of civilization and the foundation of our relationships. Lack of it . . . well, lack of empathy is as close to a definition of evil that I can come up with.

We have but the roads that lie before our feet, and all too often our choices are limited to walking or standing still. And standing still gets us nowhere.

People always believe their problems are the worst and the rest of the world has it easier, but that can not be true. Someone has to be wrong. Right?

We humans have one advantage: We’re more experienced at loss.

The dwarf?” Malcolm paused and thought a moment. “Well, I wasn’t referring to him specifically. But now that you bring it up, I should point out that you run the risk of painting a whole race with the same ugly brush, which could have unexpected consequences in the future.

A person needs hardships. Overcoming trials through perseverance, self-reliance, and sacrifice is what you missed out on. Pain, fear, drudgery, boredom—lots of boredom—these are the things that build character. And you need to experience loss and remorse because falling down gives you the opportunity to rise once more. Overcoming challenges turns a self-centered infant into a caring adult. Empathy—the ability to understand and appreciate the feelings of others—is the cornerstone of civilization and the foundation of our relationships. Lack of it . . . well, lack of empathy is as close to a definition of evil that I can come up with.” “Then

Things that were obvious in the confines of the heart often failed to translate well when expressed through the inadequate filter of language.

Overcoming challenges turns a self-centered infant into a caring adult. Empathy—the ability to understand and appreciate the feelings of others—is the cornerstone of civilization and the foundation of our relationships. Lack of it . . . well, lack of empathy is as close to a definition of evil that I can come up with.

That’s how it can be carried into Phyre. You see, all living things come from the union of Eton, God of the Heavens, and Elan, Grand Mother of All. He is the sky, the eternal, the unending. She—Elan—is the world that brings forth life and reclaims it. All life born of Eton and Elan has two parts: eternal spirit and temporary body. When the body dies, Elan takes it back. That

The truth is that everyone can achieve greatness, but many don’t try because they think of themselves as merely ordinary.

heroes aren’t born, they’re made, grown from ordinary stock and fertilized by crisis.

Along with everyone else, Tressa carried the entirety of her belongings across one of the seven bridges that spanned the Bern River chasm. She chose the southernmost one because it was the least crowded. Her worldly belongings weren’t much: a few sacks of food, a too-thin blanket, and her ratty breckon mor, so threadbare it could no longer be considered decent. Tressa also carried a gourd of water and what remained of Gelston’s possessions. Gelston came with her, and she coaxed him across the bridge like a goat being put out to graze. The old shepherd had never recovered from being hit by Miralyith lightning, and he followed her without saying a word.

Tesh continued to wade forward through hip-deep water and neck-high fear.

Time had sneaked in and stolen her recklessness.