Sarah

“They want the equality of man. They want freedom. You speak truth when you say that they cannot, in sanity, hope to get it—and especially by violence.” “Then they are mad!” “Nay—not mad. Ignorant and desperate and oppressed. They’re tired of paying for unsuccessful wars, they’re tired of serfdom or unfair wages for their labor. They’re tired of eating black bread while the manor lords, baron and abbot alike, eat venison and fat capons. It’s natural, and a change will come in time, I believe.”
― Anya Seton, Katherine

“Released, I am a spear in the hands of the sun.”
― Arkady Martine, A Memory Called Empire

“Three Seagrass had taken her hands away from her face, and the expression which was growing there was one that Mahit had seen before: it was Three Seagrass focusing inward, preparing to bend the universe around her will, because all other options were untenable.”
― Arkady Martine, A Memory Called Empire

“I ask for you.  I ask for all of you.”  The Princess took a small breath, let it out again.  “I ask for stories of your childhood in Terinto, of the family you scarcely remember, of the tinker who bought you, of how you escaped your second master, of your ku-sai, of your time serving my father in the Imperial Army.  I ask for your thoughts and your dreams, and in the quiet of night, I ask that you confess your fears.  You can have all of me, but that is the price I demand in return.” Joslyn stared at her without speaking, until silence itself rang loudly in Tasia’s ears. “Say something.” “It is a high price,” the guard said. “Say you’ll pay it,” said Tasia, a plea trembling”
― Eliza Andrews, Princess of Dorsa