Barbara

“And none at all has ridden at the king's side since Aerinha, goddess of honor and flame, first taught men to forge their blades. You'd think Aerinha would have had better sense.”
― Robin McKinley, The Hero and the Crown

“...there remained a strange formality between them, and her pleasure in his presence felt too much like missing him had felt during the last week.”
― Robin McKinley, Pegasus

“What was she to say? "The prodigal has returned? The mutineer wishes to be reinstated? The subordinate, having gone to a great deal of trouble to prove her commander wrong, has come back and promises to be a good little subordinate hereafter, or at least until next time?”
― Robin McKinley, The Blue Sword

“Mathin said: "It is best to take your opponent's sash. The kysin mark each blow dealt, but to cut off the other rider's sash is best. This you will do."

"Oh," said Harry.

"You may, if you wish, unhorse him first," Mathin added as an afterthought.

"Thanks," said Harry.”
― Robin McKinley, The Blue Sword