The Shadow Throne

Nobody gives you respect in this life. You must take it, you must earn it, and then you must hold it sacred, because no matter how hard respect is to attain, it can be lost in an instant.

Villains and plots and enemies are simple things to me. But friendships are complicated, and love is harder still. It has wounded me deeper than a sword ever could.

One of the greatest kings?” My smile widened. “That’s it? Why not the greatest?” “This will only make your arrogance worse, I’m sure.” “Really? Do you think that’s possible?

Avenia thinks they're battling a king. I doubt they're prepared to fight a boy who thinks childish pranks are practical strategies for war." "Aren't they?

The last thing I needed was rational thought.

I follow my orders without question, as a good soldier would. You ask the same from your soldiers.' 'No, I ask them to be good people. That way if they follow my orders, I will know I am doing the right thing.

It would take entire lifetimes for the men of Carthya to deserve their women.

Let the winds blow, lad Let fall the deep snow. Let the stars fall, lad We'll answer the call. Let the dark come, lad Ask not where it's from. After the fight, lad We'll see morning's light

Don't make this a fight." "I won't, but you make everything a fight.

It's your storm, and the future of us all depends on you now. So who are you? Sage, an orphan boy who cares only for himself? Or the undisciplined, rebellious prince your father sent away? Life has tested your resilience and strength and willpower, and you have succeeded in ways nobody ever thought possible. But the storm has never been worse, and it will either destroy you, or define you. When everything is taken from you, can you still stand before us as Jaron, the Ascendant King of Carthya?

if you hurt deeply, then it means you love deeply too. love is powerful thing, Jaron. In the end, love will help you win this war." I chuckled, "that'd be a fine new strategy, I think. When the enemy wields a sword against me, I'll simply express my love for them. They'll be so shocked, they'll collapse on the spot and the victory will be mine." "I daresay you will be the first to claim victory that way

He’s no king,” I said. “Rulers aren’t made just because they sit on the throne. A true king serves his people, protects them, and sees to their happiness if he can.

Kippenger suppressed a grin -- I could've sworn he did. Without looking at anyone, he said, "Jargon wrote, 'You'll get nothing from me, ever, you dog-breath, rotted corpse of a king.'" Vargas flowered at me. In return, I smiled and looked around the room, rather proud of myself for that.

Once we were alone, Imogen unfolded her hand. In it, she held the key to the chains. I had passed it to her while we were in the embrace. Roden noticed it and scowled. "You gave her the key and not me? I could be free already." I smiled at him. "Yes, but I wasn't going to kiss you." "Fair enough

You made the right choice," Roden whispered. "Though you did choose his name rather quickly. "He has a skinny neck. He'd have died faster." (Jaron) "That's why you chose me? Because it'll take me longer to die?" "Yes, Roden, that's exactly why." "Enough bickering!" (Vargan)

You were wrong, commander. Whatever chains you try to place on me, I will always, always, rise from them. I'm not buying my freedom, because you never owned it. But I am taking it back, for me, and for my country.

With a grin, I told her, "I'll have more than ten minutes' notice that this battle is coming. In that way, this might be the most prepared I've ever been.

I risked my life for you. So don’t you ever again disrespect the risks I took by claiming you weren’t worth it!

... but eventually I nudged the old bandages in the corner toward me. Once I had them in my hands, I unwound them to their full length. "What are you doing with those?" Roden asked, "You're not injured." "The vigils are forbidden from harming me tonight. Vargan was very clear that I wasn't to come out tomorrow looking like a martyr." My grin widened." But don't worry, Avenia already fell for this trick once before. They love it." "That's your trick?" Roden asked. "Can't you take this seriously?" "If you understood what Vargan's men did to me, you'd know exactly how serious I am." "Hush now," I said. "Imogen needs to sleep, I need to think and you need to... let me think.

I realized that I couldn't expect them to think better of me that I thought of myself. So if I believed I was too young or stupid or inexperienced to be a captain, then that's all I would ever be.

I can’t follow behind Terrowic’s horse,” I protested. “The smell will be unbearable.” “All horses smell the same,” Kippenger replied. But I eyed Terrowic. “I wasn’t talking about the horse.

Roden wasn't convinced. "How big of a fuss will this require?" [Jaron] grinned. "Catastrophic levels of bad behavior Trust me, it'll be fun." "You have a sick idea of fun." Roden's cool expression seemed less than enthusiastic. "When we do this, will they hurt us?" That made me sigh. "You're the captain of my guard, aren't you? Surely you can take a few hits by now. Besides, the pain will be forgotten once the ropes go around our necks" "I don't want a rope going around my neck, Jaron! That's the part you need to figure out.

I never denied being a fool, that's the difference between us.

I can't remember a minute since we met when I haven't been in love with you.

Vargan grabbed the treaty and squinted to read it. While he worked at it, I sat on the desk, crushing a corner of the papers beneath me and said, “I wouldn’t sign so much as my toenail clippings over to you.” Kippenger pushed his way forward and scanned the treaty. “What did he write?” Vargan asked. Kippenger suppressed a grin – I could’ve sworn he did. Without looking at anyone, he said, “Jaron wrote, ‘You’ll get nothing from me, ever, you dog-breath, rotted corpse of a king.’” Vargan glowered at me. In return, I smiled and looked around the room, rather proud of myself for that.

Nobody gives you respect in this life. You must take it, you must earn it, and then you must hold it sacred, because no matter how hard respect is to attain, it can be lost in an instant." I nodded my head toward the garrison. "Go get it, Roden. People won't follow a leader who doesn't know where he's going. Show them what you do.

He talked whenever he was nervous, or excited, or bored, or for that matter, awake.