Sara V.

“If we truly trust no one, we cannot survive.”
― Megan Whalen Turner, The King of Attolia

“The gold was a gift; you said so yourself."
"You are a woman," Nahuseresh said very gently. "You do not understand the world of kings and emperors, you do not understand the nature of their gifts."
"Nahuseresh, if there is one thing a woman understands, it is the nature of gifts. They are bribes when threats will not avail. Your emperor cannot attack this coast unprovoked; the treaties with the greater nations of this Continent prevent him. All he can do is stir up an ugly three-way war and hope to be invited in as an ally, and I did not invite him." The queen shook her head. "The problem with bribes, Nahuseresh, is that after your money is gone, threats still do not avail."
Nahuseresh stared, seeing a queen he hadn't guessed existed.”
― Megan Whalen Turner, The Queen of Attolia

“And the Earth had no name. The gods know themselves and have no need of names. It is man who names all things, even gods.”
― Megan Whalen Turner, The Thief

“One of us might be assassinated and then my heir will be king. Don't give up hope just because chances are slim."
"For the assassination or the heir, your majesty?”
― Megan Whalen Turner, The King of Attolia