Lost race?” The Prince studied Orayna, trying to see something inhuman in her. “Why have I never heard of these ‘Rathiuel’?”
“Because,” Azaroth rapped his knuckles on the Prince’s skull, “you do not care to read.

:She still didn’t have to lock you in a box,: said the wolf, emerging from Cricket’s thoughts. :If she does that again, I will eat her.:
Cricket laughed. :You wouldn’t do that.:
:No, I would not. But as your companion and protector, I must bristle and play the part.:

The first time I saw Cricket, I loved her. Little did I know that skinny, goofy girl would one day grow up to be a great dragon slayer. I would have pegged her for a shoemaker.

:We aren’t leaving here,: Cricket answered sleepily
:Oh, but we are,: insisted the wolf with confidence. :You have bigger business about you than lingering here in bird paradise.:
After everything that had happened with Neferre, Cricket knew the wolf’s words were true but decided to ignore them. :They don’t like being called birds,: she scolded. :And do you have gas? Ugh.:
:Just the same,: said the wolf evenly, :time will take us from here. Be prepared when that happens.:

Cricket could tell Enkai was holding back tears, and wishing to comfort him, she took his hand. They sat in silence for a long time, just holding hands, and when Cricket heard Enkai sniff, she knew he was crying.
“You should go. You shouldn’t see me . . .”
“What?” said Cricket at once. “Be a person? Have feelings? Here . . .” She took a washcloth from the nightstand and dabbed his tears away. “I cried when I lost my friends. One of them died to get me here too.”
“I’m sorry,” Enkai said, blinking sympathetically as Cricket wiped his face.
Cricket smiled. “No, it’s alright. I still see her sometimes.” She dropped her eyes to the washcloth as she contently folded it and set it aside.
Enkai frowned. “You’re weird, Cricket,” he said with a laugh, and Cricket laughed as well. “But . . .” he added, “I guess that’s why I like you.

The way I see it: Why get out of bed when you can read about people who got out of bed?