That is one thing that in all my years among your folk I have never become accustomed to. The great importance that you attach to what gender one is.”
“Well, it is important…” I began.
“Rubbish!” he exclaimed. “Mere plumbing, when all is said and done. Why is it important?
“
| — |
“Assassin’s Quest” by Robin Hobb
|
Some people say there is a relief in the sharing of cares and pains. To me there was no catharsis, only an unearthing of rotting corpses of memories, a baring of still suppurating wounds
“
| — |
“Assassin’s Quest” by Robin Hobb
|
Desperation to avoid injury is not the same as determination to win.
“
| — |
“Assassin’s Quest” by Robin Hobb
|
For myself, I think some things are beyond words. The color blue can only be experienced, as can the scent of jasmine or the sound of a flute. The curve of a warm bared shoulder, the uniquely feminine softness of a breast, the startled sound one makes when all barriers suddenly yield, the perfume of her throat, the taste of her skin are all but parts, and sweet as the may be, they do not embody the whole. A thousand such details still would not illustrate it.
“
| — |
“Royal Assassin” by Robin Hobb
|
Sometimes I felt as Kettricken did, that I was drowning in what was required of me, and that there was nothing left in my life that was for me alone.
“
| — |
“Royal Assassin” by Robin Hobb
|
At fifteen years old, an age when most were coming into their full strength, I could no longer trust my body to perform the simplest task. It was damaged, and I rejected it fiercely. I felt savagely vindictive toward the flesh and bone that enclosed me, and wished for some way to express my raging disappointment.
“
| — |
“Royal Assassin” by Robin Hobb
|
It all sounded so normal and workaday and I longed for it with an intensity that surprised me. I wanted that back, the warm smell of the horses and dogs and straw, the simple tasks, done well and completely, and the good sleep of exhaustion at the end of a day. I longed for it, but the worthlessness that filled me now predicted that even at that, I would fail.
“
| — |
“Assassin’s Apprentice” by Robin Hobb
|
He cried with my pains, physical and mental. And when I stopped struggling towards the wall, he went into a paroxysm of joy, a celebration of triumph for us. And all I could do to reward him was to lie still and no longer attempt to destroy myself. And he assured me it was enough, it was a plenitude, it was joy.
“
| — |
“Assassin’s Apprentice” by Robin Hobb
|
