Coz,' he said. 'You really must learn to shut your mouth from time to time. You'll taste less shoe letter.

I'm brilliant as well as skilled,' he said modestly. 'It's a great burden, all of that on top of my angelic good looks. But I try to soldier on as best I can.

See? This is why I'm not religious. I couldn't possibly keep my mouth shut long enough to get along with everyone else.

Magic. It can get a guy killed.

- Did you really save the world ?...- Mostly I was saving my own ass. Just happend that the world was in the same spot.

Littlemouse was in danger, doubtless a prisoner, and the humans could not be trusted to handle her rescue with appropriate violence. They might be willing to leave someone alive, and Rowl was not prepared to tolerate incompetence where his personal human was concerned. He had just gotten her properly trained.