"Omi began to laugh uproariously. The street was empty now. When his laughter was exhausted, he grasped his sword with both hands and began to hack the body methodically into small pieces." Chapter 1, p. 34.

"In spite of Blackthorne's hatred he had to admire Yabu's courage. Half a dozen times the waves almost engulfed him. Twice Rodrigues was lost but each time Yabu dragged him back, and held his head out of the grasping sea, long after Blackthorne knew that he himself would have given up." Chapter 9, p. 175.

"One thing is certain: the barbarian will never leave. Neither alive nor dead. He is part of the realm forever." Chapter 13, p. 210.

"The position of the Church here is, regrettably, so intermixed with politics and with the silk trade, that everything touches the safety of the Church. And while I live, by my hope of salvation, no one will jeopardize the...