Better to be a laughing-stock than lose the fort for fear of being one.

That is our Shield Ring, our last stronghold; not the barrier fells and the totter-moss between, but something in the hearts of men.

Esca tossed the slender papyrus roll onto the cot, and set his own hands over Marcus’s. “I have not served the Centurion because I was his slave,” he said, dropping unconsciously into the speech of...

See now, for a good blade, one that will not betray the man in battle, rods of hard and soft iron must be heated and braided together. Then is the blade folded over and hammered...

The young Centurion, who had been completely still throughout, said very softly, as though to himself, “Greater love hath no man–” and Justin thought it sounded as though he were quoting someone else.

And what will they do to you when you have told them this story?’ Esca said very simply, ‘They will kill me.’ ‘I am sorry, but I do not think much of that plan.’ Marcus...