Song of the Lioness Quotes

 

 

Lord Provost: "Girls play at bein' Lioness. I saw one chasing her brother down the street, wavin' a stick and calling for the Duke Conte to submit to her sword."   Alanna: I'm not a boy. I'm a girl. George: You're a- you're a what!? Jon: Who else knows? (in response to Alanna being a girl.) Alanna: George and his mother. Jon: You trusted George?   Liam: The next time you’re told someone is Shang, pay attention.   Coram: If I'd known I'd be traveling with a legend, I would of thought twice about comin' along.   Thom: You'll have to excuse my sister, magesties.   Akhnan Ibn Nazzir: She mocks our ways! Alanna: I mock a shaman who looks at the goods I possess and calls for my death because I offend the gods.   George: Do I believe my ears?  Alanna the heartless talking for love instead of against it? Alanna: Don’t tease, George.  He’s my brother.  I love him.  George: He knows that.  And I, for one, envy him.   King Roald (as Alanna's secret is revealed): Halt!  What is going on here? You’d better do something about that thing.   Thom: I’ll explain.   Alanna: I have my duty, Highness.  This is my home, too.  I’m trained to defend it and I will defend it.   Faithful: Healing is all very well, but not if you kill yourself in the possess.  And do you enjoy snuggling up to Jonathon like a lovesick girl?   Myles (to Alanna): Get back here!  A storm’s coming up – and if it’s natural, I’m a priest!   Ylanda: In all my centuries, I have never seen such a jest!  Young lion, see your companions for what she really is! Jon: She?   Liam: I’d have to be blind not to recognize a daughter of the Wilima house. Thayet:  Sadly, I do take after my father.   Jon: I’ve made up my mind. Alanna: You'll make enemies. There’s never been a female Champion, not even when women could be warriors   Coram: She has the bluest blood in all of Tortall   Alanna (just as Alex dies): Is this what it means to be the best, Alex?   Jon: We did it, King’s Champion.  Tortall is safe.   (discussing the ceremonial bath before the ordeal) Alanna: You just don't want Gary to see me bare. Jon: You're right, I don't. Do you? Do you?    George (to Alanna): You're in love with Jon, aren't you? And me a blind fool not to have notcied it before. Coram (to Alanna): Watch your saddlebags. There are some here as would steal their own mother's teeth!                                                                                                                                             George: Who, me? Myles: You didn't kill him. He would have killed you, but you didn't kill him. Alanna: So? He was stupid. If I killed everyone who was stupid I wouldn't have time to sleep.   Duke Gareth (the elder) of Naxen: Why does this mean so much to you, Jon? Jon: Because he's my friend. Because I always know where he stands, and where I stand with him. Because I think he'd die for me and - I think I'd die for him. Is that enough?   Thom: Tell me, sister mine, when is your dragon going to make an honest woman of you? Alanna: He isn't. We were done before I came home. He doesn't like magic. Thom: Silly man. What about Jonathon, then? Everyone knows you two used to be lovers, even if he is a prig about other things. Maybe I should talk to him. Having sullied your reputation he can't be allowed to abandon you. You have a good name... Alanna: I'm not amused, Thom. Thom: I think you should take the thief, if you must take someone. If you marry George I'll give you my blessing. Alanna: If I marry anyone, I'll let you know. Can we change the subject? I love you dearly, Thom. But you're prying and I don't appreciate it.   Faithful: He would have cut you up and fed you to wild beasts if he had won. He's evil. He deserved to die.   Ali Mukhtab/The Voice: You ride as a man, you fight as a man, you think as a man... Alanna: I think as a human being. Men don't think any differently to women - they just make more noise about being able to. Alanna (to Roger): You know something? There are sandstorms that stop man and horse and bury them, I've seen them. I saw bones piled higher than my head for the folly of a bad king and those who wanted his throne. I lived through a blizzard that froze every other creature solid. Against those things, you're just a man. I can deal with you. Faithful: I've been staying with her [Moonlight] since the dragon woke and found you gone. Horses are calmer people. Also, they don't throw things at cats.   Jon: I knew you'd come and keep quiet. Alanna: That's because I'm the only one with insanity in my family.   Alanna: I fell down, Your Grace. Duke Gareth: Mithros, boy, can't you think of a better excuse? Alanna: But this one works so well, sir. It has tradition behind it.   Gary: (to Alanna) Ah. Free time. I've heard about that. Don't fool yourself, Fire-Top. What with extra hours of lessons for punishments, and the work you get every day, free time is an illusion. It's what you get when you die and the gods reward you for a life spent working from dawn until midnight. We all face up to it sooner or later-the only real free time you get here is what my honored sire chooses to give you, when he thinks you have earned it.   Myles: Do you love Jon? Alanna: Loves wonderful, but its not enough to keep us together for years of marriage. I'm not sure if I'm ready; I'm not sure if Jon's ready. I have to be sure if I want to marry King Roald's heir. Yes, I love him. That's the whole problem.   Alanna: How can Thom live in such a cursed ugly place? I'd go mad if I had to look at this all the time. George: He probably doesn't notice. Most scholars don't.   Jon (to Alanna): Hello. That's a pretty dress. Are you wearing it for anyone in particular?        Alanna: Yes. Myself. Jon: Ouch. You should be nicer to your king, my champion.  Alanna: No I shouldn't. Duke Gareth says a champion must always be honest. Even when others lack the courage. Jon: Lacking the courage to speak out has never been one of your problems I admit. Jon (to George): Must I list what you made me learn? The reaches of men's trickery. Making even those who mistrust me follow where I lead. The extent of human greed. The things that can't be bought. The need for ruthlessness. The ability to recognize and trust loyalty. Faithful: He [Ali Mukhtab] has very good taste: he likes cats. Alanna (to Duke Hilam): You are brave kicking a chained prisoner. They must sing heroic ballads about you on winter nights. Alanna: Do you need help getting back to your rooms? Myles: (shakes his head) I'm going to stay and watch the pretty little Eldorne girl try to hook every eligible male at court. Alanna: If she doesn't succeed it won't be because she didn't try.   Faithful: Be careful in your choices - particularly if you want to marry. You need somebody who isn't as noble-minded as you are. Otherwise you take yourself much too seriously. I won't always be around to correct you. Alanna: I am not noble-minded!   Thom: I am more than able to handle my own affairs. George: Is that why you're shakin' so? Best have a shot of brandy to steady your nerves, My Lord. I'd hate to think there was anythin' in this world of ours could be beyond the skills of one such as yourself. Alanna (upon meeting Roger after he'd been brought back to life by Thom): Hello Roger. You look pale. Not enough time in the sun? Gary: How would I learn anything if I didn't eavesdrop? Roger: Do you trust me? Thom: Of course I don't. I don't trust anyone.   Jon: Could I love anyone so much I'd forget that I have a duty to my people?   George (to Alanna. Obviously.): So, I finally tamed myself a lioness.