Leviathan

Maybe this was how you stayed sane in wartime: a handful of noble deeds amid the chaos.

And a special thanks for not burning up the whole ship. Including yourself, you daft bum-rag.

Deryn felt brilliant, rising through the air at the center off everyone's attention, like an acrobat aloft on a swing. She wanted to make a speech: Hey, all you sods, I can fly and you can't! A natural airman, in case you haven't noticed. And in conclusion, I'd like to add that I'm a girl and you can all get stuffed!

The man was allergic to sleep.

Suddenly a pair of searchlights lanced out from the frigate. They swept across the dark expanse - bright knives slicing the night into pieces.

Volger looked out across the glacier, his hands deep in his pockets. "May I be frank?" Alek laughed. "Feel free to put aside your usual tact." "I shall," Volger said. "When your father decided to marry Sophie, I was one of those who tried to talk him out of it." "So I have your dismal powers of persuasion to thank for my existence." "You're very welcome.

Boys had something else...a sort of swagger about them.

That was the trick- to keep punching, no matter what.

And what can we conclude from this lesson, Your Highness?" Alek glared at the man. "We can conclude, Count Volger, that discussing politics while fencing is idiotic.

Barking machines!" Dylan exclaimed. "Didn't I tell you? I've never seen a beastie that couldn't get up on its own. Well, except a turtle. And one of my auntie's cats." Alek raised an eyebrow. "And I'm sure your auntie's cat would have survived that aerial bomb." "You'd be surprised. He's quite fast.

She was a soldier, not some girl twisting her skirts at a village dance.

There was a long pause. "Um, I'm afraid I don't know the word in English." "The word for what?" "I just said I don't *know* it!

Alek coughed politely, "If I promise to avoid funny business, could you perhaps remove this knife from my throat?

Deryn put her own arms around herself, but it didn't feel the same. "Barking spiders," she muttered softly,

Do you promise?" He demanded again. "I can't let you go, Alek." She said softly. "You...what?

Don't. Shoot. The air is full of hydrogen!

That was the trick - to keep punching, no matter what.

My compliments," Alek said slowly and evenly. "Your contempt was most convincing." "I am your servant.

And barking famous, these friends are

He took his own saber by the blade and handed it to Alek, pommel first, as if offering it to a victor.