“I won’t be second-rank.” An expression of the drive that ultimately caused Killashandra to become a crystal singer, but here it is being expressed in resentment that her dream of becoming a top-ranked opera singer can never be realized.

“She’d be at the top in whatever she did or die in the attempt.” Killashandra’s vow to herself.

“Danger was relative.” Killashandra’s first response to the dangers of Ballybran and the crystal singing profession.

“It depends on what you’re willing to consider a hazard.” Killashandra soothing Carrik, when the Ballybran symbiont makes it necessary that he return to Ballybran.

“A two-cell in a one-cell pond?” Carrik’s response to Killishandra’s statement that she prefers the odds of succeeding in a small guild.

“A dead hero in preference to a live coward?” Carrik continues to bait Killashandra.

“Beauty that enhanced his value was worth the effort.” Homecoming, by Sue Ann Bowling. Roi is still thinking like a slave, concerned with keeping his market value high enough to give him some measure of protection.