The Novice Quotes
"A difficult shot, but the lack of wind brought its own rewards."
"Let me in, Didric. You and I both know that the gates should be open until the ninth bell."
"Is that it then? You think you’re very clever, don’t you?"
"It’s just the logical conclusion to a situation in which I happen to be the beneficiary."
"I would much rather sleep out in the woods than watch you take my kill."
"Fight dirty, and go for the face. Gentlemen’s rules are for gentlemen."
"Nothing to say? That wasn’t as satisfying as I thought it would be."
"I’ve let you down, Berdon. I’ve been a fool."
"You are my son, even if we do not share the same blood."
"You’re not a bad fighter, but you’re going to need to learn how to fight against an orc."
"The competition for ranks is fierce, and they don’t like to help first years in case you steal what would have been their promotion."
"It’s possible to capture another, more powerful demon in the ether, and add it to your roster."
"I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of it before."
"Standards are slipping. I’m sure when Father was here this place was twice what it is now."
"The commoners can have the commissions we don’t want."
"Our best bet will be to befriend some of the older commoners."
"I doubt it. One of the servants told me that the nobles often spend their free time in Corcillum."
"Our traditions date back to the first King of Hominum, over two thousand years ago. And though we are few in number, the battlemages that graduate from this institution go on to serve as the finest officers in the military."
"It is only out of respect for your father that I don’t send you up to your room like a child."
"You will treat them with the respect they deserve and remember that whilst they are here educating you, good soldiers on the front lines suffer without their leadership or protection."
"The winner will also receive a place on the King’s council and be given the right to vote on matters of state."
"You’ll go in whatever division you’re damned well put in! And don’t speak out of turn!"
"Let us hope this is the first step in a long and fruitful alliance."
"Your annual income will be that of one thousand shillings, minus room, board and tuition."
"I was never given one," in response to having no surname.
"Trust me, I know. Those of you who have been trained by your parents are to practise on the summoning circles on the other side of the room."
"If even the false war we pretend to fight has created so much hate between our peoples, what would a real one do?"
"The orcs were summoning long before we were. But theirs was a rough, nascent art, small imps and nothing more."
"If he had not, I would never have specialised in demonic capture. You can all own a powerful demon such as this, as long as you work hard."
"Once you feel that, pull the demon through it."
"You may struggle initially, but that is normal for the first infusion."
"His mind was filled with extraordinary happiness and clarity."
"Demons are prepared for the situation as soon as they reappear."
"The answer is that fulfilment levels grow naturally at varying rates for each summoner as time goes by."
"He was cursed with a fulfilment level of three, poor fellow."
"It forms in almost every colour, but large, transparent pieces such as this are incredibly hard to find."
"We can also see and hear what they can in the crystal."
"A demon is not an item to be tossed aside like an old shirt."
"The horizon began to fall away, darkening dramatically."
"The land cut off in a neat line, creating the perfect precipice of a cliff that fell away into murky darkness below."
"You were cool under pressure and took a calculated risk."
"We need summoners, Fletcher, but they do not need to be battlemage officers."
"Nobles inherit the older and rarer demons from their parents."
"Patience was one of a swordsman’s most important virtues."
"Both speed and reliability are essential for success as a battlemage."
"I have come to realise that taking the blame for Atilla has only served to make him live a life without consequences."
"I was wrong about humans. But that does not change the many atrocities we have suffered at their hands."
"A warrior’s greatest enemy can also be his greatest teacher."
"War is unfair – the weak fail and the strong survive."
"If they’re impressed, they commission us directly after the tournament to fight in the King’s army."
"It’s the bastard, Father; the one with the Salamander."
"It will be interesting to see what your demon can do."
"I’m sure he will take great pains to make sure everything is as fair as possible."
"Don’t let him faze you, Fletcher. We’re going to wipe the floor with the Forsyths."
"I hope you do watch. It will be nice to have someone cheering for me."
"We need to hunt down the other demons, take them out before they get a chance to fly up there."
"I hope you’re as good as you say you are, Athol. I need this tattoo to be perfect."
"Every minute away from the front lines is a minute your soldiers are without your fine leadership."
"I’m afraid I must agree with Inquisitor Rook."
"I see. Well, let’s hope it works; I don’t fancy getting my head cut off tonight."
"It will be nice for you to have your family here to support you. Why don’t you wave hello to your father?"
"This isn’t a race, this isn’t emotional. Your career is war, and this is just business."
"You are under arrest for the attempted murder of Didric Cavell."