J.M. Clarke > Quotes

“danger is to life as salt is to food. Too much ruins all. Too little makes meals bland and unpleasant. But just enough? Makes a feast.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool

“No such thing as a stupid question. Only stupid people who never ask questions.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 3

“rats?” Alex leaned forward in disbelief. “Of course! Why not?” the chancellor held a look of honest confusion. “Now mind you, it wasn’t a very strong demon, but demons can make exceedingly gifted pest exterminators. They are perhaps the second most naturally gifted killing agents in all the planes.” Alex swallowed. “What’s the most gifted? Dragons? War-spirits?” “The common housecat.” “What? That can’t be right.” “Several extinct species of bird, small mammal, and reptile would beg to differ were they not, of course, extinct,” he said.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 3

“Absolutely,” Alex said. “Very likely, absolutely. It’s probably completely certain. There’s a really good chance that it’ll probably work like I want it to. Most likely.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 2

“Alex looked past Val’Rok at a small window that led to a drop hundreds of feet below. For a few heartbeats, he calculated whether he could pick up the professor fast enough to throw him through the window before the Mark stopped him.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 4

“You lifted how much?” Thundar gaped. “What… no… that can’t be right.” “Hey, man,” Alex grunted, lying in bed while his body recovered. “The numbers… don’t lie.” “No, that can’t be true. That’s impossible!” the minotaur cried, sounding a little hysterical. “It’s okay,” Prince Khalik patted him on the shoulder. “Being second strongest in the cabal is no shame.” His grin was perfectly evil. Thundar gave him a flinty look. “I hate you.” Khalik’s smile grew wider. “Oh, I know. And that? That pleases me.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 4

“his strength had shot past Khalik’s, much to the prince’s horror. “This is it…” Khalik sat on the floor of the gymnasium with his head cupped in both hands. Alex had just pressed four hundred and fifteen pounds. “The natural order of the universe is undone. Up is down. Red is blue. Cats are hyenas, worms are dragons… This is the end.” “It’s not the end, buddy.” Thundar patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t take it so hard. Third place in the cabal ain’t too bad. I mean, Alex was in third place a coupla days ago, and now look at him!” The minotaur burst out laughing while Khalik slowly looked up. Thundar’s glee faded. The look on the prince’s face was flat, like he was seeing a dead body. “Wh-what is it?” The minotaur’s eyes darted back and forth. “You’re looking at me like I was in my coffin or something.” “Mark my words, Thundar, son of Gulbiff,” Khalik pronounced like he was an oracle predicting the very doom of the world. “What has happened to me can happen to you.” The minotaur glanced at Alex who’d sprung up from the weight bench, stretched his chest, and was scurrying over to the kettlebell stand like an excited child. There was indistinct muttering coming from his mouth, and a wild look in his eyes as his biceps flexed when he rubbed his hands together. Thundar looked at those thick arms. “Humans can’t get that strong… can they? Not without life enforcement or some crazy magic or something, right?” Khalik glanced at Alex, who was swinging a massive iron kettlebell like he could pitch it clear across the room. “Does he look crazy to you?” “Yes,” Thundar said without hesitation. “Is he using magic to make himself stronger?” “I-in a way.” Khalik grinned evilly. “Then prepare yourself, because soon, it will happeeeeeen to yoooouuuu—Argh!” Thundar pushed the prince over.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 4

“Real or not—happened or not—we basically always live in our own memories. Now only lasts a second—less, really—and then it’s just part of what we remember. Almost everything in our lives, the things that make us who we are, stem from what we recall.”
― J.M. Clarke, Rune Seeker 3

“where did my cute daughter go, and who gave me this living weapon instead?”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 3

“Alex sighed. Of course. Of course his supervisor would be late, and leave him to stand out in the hall all by himself, while he was as nervous as a flea on a scratching dog.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 2

“rebels often kill their neighbours long before their kings.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 3

“Sometimes talent proves to be a chain that binds us to life choices we might not necessarily want to make. A man might find he is good with a sword, so he ends up on a battlefield when he would much rather harvest honey from kept beehives.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 8

“Magic in general is variable.” Baelin surveyed the land with his hands on his hips. “For example, if one had need to codify the damage dealt by attack spells using pen and paper, I would imagine it would require some sort of complicated dice system to simulate.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 5

“When Victor’s name was announced, Alex flashed back to the times the pale young man had tried to explain Professor Hak’s own lesson to her in the middle of class. The resulting cringe had been so powerful Alex’s whole body had wilted on itself like a prune. It seemed to be happening again and Theresa grabbed his shoulder to steady him. “Are you having a fit?” she asked him in concern. “Did someone poison you? Is your soul being drained by a demon?” ‘Father… I sense… great mental anguish coming from you… along with images of… that person in the arena who was in your class…’ Claygon said. ‘You are remembering your classmates looking at each other… as Victor went into a fifteen minute speech right before class was due to end… Father? Father, you are falling from your chair.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 7

“I know what husbands do,” Favela said. Hiral quickly looked up at Seeyela, but Favela continued, “They make breakfast when moms are too lazy to get up. And they buy pretty things when moms start yelling. And they always say moms are right, even if their faces look like they just ate a lemon.”
― J.M. Clarke, Rune Seeker 3

“In many societies—such as clan societies that earn their fortune through raiding other clans—battle and killing becomes natural, for it is part of their culture from the time they are born. It is easier for people to engage themselves in armed-struggle when they know they have their deities’ edict and a nice reward awaiting them in the afterworld. Some deities even reward only those who die in battle for this very reason.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 3

“It’d look pretty suspicious if make-up started running from under your illusionary patch… Hey, wait a minute, that’s not half-bad as names go. This spell’s called Disguise Self, but it’s gonna be so custom that it doesn’t make sense to call it that anymore. So, what about Illusionary Patch? It’s an illusion that covers a specific area, like a patch in a cloak. I think it sounds pretty good.” “Hmmm, I was already thinking of a name for it, though,” Alex said. Thundar gave him a grim look. “’Kay. What kinda name were you thinking about, Alex?” “Localized Illusionary Flesh Alterer,” Alex said proudly. “It says precisely what it is, since⁠—” Thundar held out a hand, like he was trying to ward off evil. “Alex… no. Just no. This is why we don’t let you name things.” “You all just don’t have good taste,” Alex sniffed. “Yeeeeah, if everyone around you ‘doesn’t have good taste,’ y’ever think it might be you who doesn’t have it?” “Let’s just get into the spell.” “Wait… are you sulking?” “I am not! I’m just getting focused!” “Riiiight…” Thundar rolled his eyes.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 4

“She pat Alex gently on his shoulder. “Just a couple of weeks until you turn nineteen too.” “Yep,” he said. “And I expect you all to absolutely spoil me. I can even come up with a gift list. An expensive one!” “Pfeh,” Thundar grunted. “So much for ageing gracefully. You didn’t even get me anything for my birthday!” “You didn’t tell anyone when your birthday was!” Alex protested. “Excuses, excuses,” the minotaur snorted like he was offended. “I think we should get him the greatest gift of all,” Khalik began. “Oh no,” Alex groaned. “—Expulsion.” “Oh, come on!” “Perhaps we should frame him for a crime,” Isolde tapped her chin in thought. “He probably already did something. You know how much of a hardened criminal he is. I heard they even dragged him down to the station. Shady, if you ask me,” Thundar glared at him suspiciously. “You’re all traitors!” Alex shouted. “Oh dear, Theresa, I didn’t know you were dating a hardened criminal.” Mrs. Lu looked at Alex with feigned worry. “Ugh, with friends like you, who needs the Ravener?” he said mournfully.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 3

“C’mon, show me. I’ll tell you if it’s nothing or not.” He turned his cards toward her. Her smile faded. “Yeah, that’s a whole lot of nothing, alright.” The Champion swore, tossing his cards on the table. “This game is dumb.” “Aaaaah, my friend.” Khalik smiled. “Only those who do not taste victory curse the game. You should not be so small-minded! Now, who’s next? Tyris! Show us what the mighty master of Vesuvius has to offer?” “Cold Iron, Dexterity—” she started. Khalik’s grin widened at the redundant cards. “—Tempest, Frost and Lightning!” Tyris cried, slamming the cards down in front of her. “Hah! Expert of the Sea Storm! Read ’em and weep! The saltier the tears, the better!” Khalik’s smile faded. Snorting with disgust, he tossed his cards away. “This game is dumb.” “You’re a hypocrite, Khalik. That’s why you lost.” Thundar cackled with glee. “Laugh now.” The prince gave him a flinty look. “I will enjoy watching you fall. Reveal your cards.” The minotaur’s grin was outright evil. He laid them down one by one: “Dexterity, Strength, Wisdom, Vitality, aaaaaand⁠—” “No,” Khalik murmured. “—Presence! Paragon of Mind, Body and Soul! Hahahaha!” There was a round of cursing from everyone at the table,”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 4

“Things can’t get any worse for you,’ Alex thought. Until they did. “What’s going on here?” a new voice demanded from above. Gasps went through the crowd, and they looked skyward. Floating down was the Chancellor of Generasi, flanked by four wizards in robes that looked to be worth more than Alex’s entire building. One of them was a woman with six arms. “I was just coming to support a young friend, bringing some friends from the city’s ruling council to have a bit of a meal, but what is all this, I wonder?” His stony gaze swept across the crowd. “Complaints? Treachery? Lies? Who is responsible for this?” Without hesitation, Alex jerked a thumb to the man and woman who’d been paid to discredit him. Baelin slowly turned to them. They gulped loudly.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 7

“It had been a full day for everyone. It began with paying respects, sorrow, and recognition, and ended with a much-needed celebration. Wounds had begun to heal into scars, and some folks could think about moving forward to brighter tomorrows. All in all, it had been a bittersweet day. Alex looked forward to getting his sling off. Though he was worried about what his arm would look like under the magically treated bandage. Wounds might heal, but scars tended to stay.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 3

“Take a final piece of advice, my young friend. Should you choose to extend your lifespan… ensure you know what you are doing. If you are not careful, then you might find that the things you love have a terrible habit of turning to dust.” His beard-clasps clinked in the light wind. “And most mortals are not terribly fond of dust.” The two wizards and the golem stood for a time. Two watched only empty space. The third saw something else. Someone who had left his world long, long ago.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 4

“This would place you close to your daughter, which is what she and your daughter’s… friend have arranged. I trust this will be suitable?” “Yes, it wou—By Uldar, did that bench just move!” Mr. Lu cried. “No, no, no!” Hobb half-rose from his chair. “Rebellious seat! Back to your post or it is off to the carpenter for you! I will see to it that you are cobbled into a fine pair of wooden shoes!” The bench—which had been halfway out of the hall—scuttled back to its place. “Apologies.” The devil grinned. “The furniture needs discipline sometimes. Is there anything else you might need?” “Whiskey,” Mr. Lu said, not sounding like he was remotely joking. Mrs. Lu quickly nodded in agreement.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 3

“Professor Jules gave a devastating sigh. “Of course. You have a new mind to shape. You have a new form of life to study. And what does everyone want to do? Teach him how to hit others with a sharp piece of metal! Gah!” She threw up her hands. “You’ll just infect your little sister with such urges.” ‘Too late,’ Alex thought,”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 6

“How do I look? How do I look?” Selina asked the three young men excitedly. “Like a fairy,” Thundar said. “Like a princess.” Khalik smiled. “Like a goblin princess—Aargh!” Alex cried out as Selina punched him in the arm. “You little rat! Who taught you to do that?” She stuck her tongue out at him. He stuck his out right back. “Oh, by the elements, this was a mistake,” Isolde groaned. “This was a mistake. We are going to get there, you are going to humiliate all of us, and then I am going to have to beg for my cousin’s forgiveness…” “Yeah, Selina, don’t ruin Isolde’s night,” Alex said. “I was referring to you.” “What did I do?” “Instigated everything. As usual.” “Oooh bah,” Alex said. “I’ll behave, grandmother.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 2

“Oh, by the Traveller, power really does change you.” He laughed. “Oh well, ethics and all that. I’m sure someone will stop me if I go mad with power. And speaking of power.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 4

“You are so beautiful, Theresa,” he started. “You’re beautiful in mind, body, heart, and soul. Beautiful in so many ways that I couldn’t even begin to finish listing them, even if I had a thousand years. I adore you, and being here beside you is the best part of my life.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 10

“I am going to drink like it’s my last day on earth,” Thundar grunted as he shifted around in bed. “I don’t care if it’s wine, ale, cider, harder stuff; I don’t give a damn. If your cousin is offering, I will drain everything. I’m not gonna be happy unless all of you have to carry me back home.” Isolde made a similar sound to a dog regurgitating a clump of grass. “Now, see, Isolde?” Alex said, handing the minotaur a bag of ‘get well’ cookies he’d baked. “Claygon’s going to be useful! He’ll be able to carry Thundar back using only two of his arms!” Isolde’s ‘sick-dog’ sound upgraded to ‘dying dog.’ Alex could barely stifle his laughter and Khalik was grinning.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 2

“What’s a heel?” Selina had asked. “It can mean a few different things,” Isolde had explained. “But in this context”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 7

“an event during the clean up nearly caused Professor Jules to have an apoplexy. “We have extra protective equipment,” she said, her eyes like flint behind her mask. It was clear that her voice was coming through clenched teeth. “We have masks, gloves, aprons, boots and coats. It would be no trouble for you to wear one, young man.” “Oh, bah!” Cedric waved his hand, his muscles flexing across his shirtless torso. “I fight like this all the time! Blessin’ o’ Uldar keeps the disease away. Just a little prayer and I’m good to deal with all kinds o’ nasties.” Professor Jules’ eyes bugged out of her head within the lenses of her beaked mask. “It is always good protocol to have redundancies in protection. There are spells that hedge out gases, but a mask is very effective at ensuring your safety, as is a coat. Safety is no joke, young man!” Cedric laughed as though she had in fact made a joke. “I fight terrible beasts near every day, missus. I think I’ve been in worse spots than dealin’ with a bit o’ dried blood.” She threw up her hands, muttering to herself and leaving the Chosen to his ways. Cedric blinked. “Was it somethin’ I said?” The wizards nearby chose not to answer, busying themselves with sample collection.”
― J.M. Clarke, Mark of the Fool 4