Shinka

“Ten thousand swords before you,
ten thousand daggers drawn.
Ten thousand lives defend you,
ten thousand warriors strong
Our blood will spill ten thousand times
In hope, ten thousand sigh
For love we face ten thousand deaths
With joy, ten thousand die
Ten thousand Fey before you,
ten thousand fierce and tall,
Ten thousand souls protect you,
beloved of us all

~Ten Thousand Swords, a Fey Warrior’s Song”
― C.L. Wilson

“You, there, girl! Halt!"
Who in the universe ever halts when the enemy tells them to?”
― Sherwood Smith, Crown Duel

“Not all battles can be won. Not all lives can be saved. And no matter how we wish it, not all songs end in joy.”
― C.L. Wilson, Queen of Song and Souls

“Don't you know the man whose life you spare will always hate you?”
― Lian Hearn, Across the Nightingale Floor