"Elena had died because of him. She was his daughter and he had loved her. Yet he had trapped her into death. She had never even existed. He could find no answer to it." Chapter 1, p. 13.

"When the first new Lords, and all the Land with them, had taken the Oath, articulated their highest ideal and deepest commitment by forswearing all violent, destructive passions, all human instincts for murder and ravage and contempt—when they had bound themselves with the Oath, they had unwittingly numbed themselves to the basic vitality of the Old Lords' power. Therefore High Lord Mhoram feared to share his secret. It was a strength which could only be used if the wielders denied the most basic promise of their lives. It was a weapon which could only be used by a person who had cast down all defenses against despair." Chapter 2, pp. 29-...