“I don't want to be the Starwife!" Ysabelle protested. "It isn't fair!"Her mother wavered; even now, it was not too late."You must fulfill your destiny," she said at last. "The Starwifeship is already yours. All that remains is for you to bring the amulet and the Starglass together. Once that is done, the power of the heavens will be yours to command. Use it wisely, for the forces locked within the Silver Acorn may be used for good or ill. On your journey, never be parted from it; always wear it about your neck.”

“I don't want to be the Starwife!" Ysabelle protested. "It isn't fair!"Her mother wavered; even now, it was not too late."You must fulfill your destiny," she said at last. "The Starwifeship is already yours. All that remains is for you to bring the amulet and the Starglass together. Once that is done, the power of the heavens will be yours to command. Use it wisely, for the forces locked within the Silver Acorn may be used for good or ill. On your journey, never be parted from it; always wear it about your neck.”

“Woodget glanced into the dim shadows behind the trees. "What you be hiding fer?" he called."On such a night as this even the greatest may hide and not be ashamed," came the response.”

“Many grim tales stem from your green lands, and still deeds both noble and evil shall yet unfold there.”

“The path of life is strewn with many perils and the folly of knowledge is one of the greatest dangers. Wisdom is a treacherous weapon, little master, for it is sundered from compassion. All too often the end of the journey gains more import than it should and the wise become blind to the road and the method of their passing.”

“The moles came bearing their lamps and then the most ancient and magical creature that ever danced beneath the moon was lost in darkness once more.”

“Tread not into the fearsome nightBut pull the covers high,Step not into the wild dark woodFor the Hobbers are dancing nigh”

“The most harmful lies and the most hurtful, always contain a grain of truth," he said. "But nevertheless, lies they do remain.”

“Lies breed distrust, and distrust brings conflict.”

“Is the Starwife a witch?" asked Firgil. "Is any wise female a witch? Just because they have been blessed by the Green and given strange and beautiful gifts, does not mean they use them for evil purposes.”

“I come to call down my destiny - and it is tall and dangerous!”

“The time is come," he spoke quietly. "Now, when lesser folk would wither, thou must be true to the blood of thine ancestors. Much greatness is bred in thee; accept now this terrible mantle and take a step nearer thy destiny.”