The Black Star of Kingston

My place beside you. My blood for yours. Till the Green Ember rises, or the end of the world!

We may find pleasure in our duty, but our duty is not our own pleasure.

I am afraid... But I keep on loving what's on the other side of this fight, and that will have to make me brave.

Being a ruler is, contrary to popular notions, a calling of self-sacrifice. That is, if one wants to be a good ruler.

He had always been wise enough to see and bold enough to act, now he was becoming brave enough to hope.

My place beside you. My blood for yours. We are in this together, my friend. As you are bound to me, I am bound to you. So long as you remain loyal to the king, I am loyal to you. I am on your side. I am a brother to you.

Whitson felt a great wave of sadness then. But it crashed, as always, on a shore of hope. At least when he looked at his son.

* * * The week wore on, and the vigilance Fleck had always called for was now a matter of course for all the rabbits in the king’s service. As he recovered his strength, he worked on the boats, giving orders and drilling the bucks. In the early days of Black Star Company, before the fateful first voyage, Fleck had always ended each exercise by reciting the vow. When that time came on his first day back, the rabbits were reluctant, awkward. It was clear that Galt had not continued this rite during Fleck’s absence. As their drills ended, they began to break up and walk off. “The vow!” Fleck shouted, and he drew his sword. They slowly reformed and raised their swords, Galt last of all. “My place beside you! My blood for yours!” they called, though less enthusiastic than in the past. “I know, bucks,” Fleck said. “I know we all feel we let Gavin

If your face ain’t murky

Remember your duty. We may find pleasure in our duty, but our duty is not our own pleasure.

lieutenant on the first journey. Lieutenant Walters was

find pleasure in our duty, but our duty is not our own pleasure.

place beside you. My blood for yours. Till the Green Ember rises, or the end of the world!

I would trade my life for yours in a moment.

I am afraid," Fleck said, tenderly touching the prince's head. "But I keep on loving what's on the other side of this fight. And that will have to make me brave.

But I still say that vigilance is our clear duty. We can easily underestimate what we cannot easily understand." "Mysteries are only perils in disguise," King Whitson said...

The argument got quieter, and more civil. In fact, all across the docks and on board the ships, the loud shouts and constant chatter died down as the king approached and rabbits suddenly all looked sharp. That is, all except Jimmi Docker, who burst into an exuberant, unintelligible song. He was singing with his pipe in his mouth as he worked. Fleck shook his head as his

young, of course. But perhaps it will ground him a little.” “He’s a hard one to wrangle, that’s for sure. He