Book One, Chapter Four, Post Twelve

As they walk down the road toward the city wall, Terrence says, “With an attempted assassination on our hands and no apparent motive, and the High Lord in a magical coma, why isn't anyone asking the obvious question…. Are we on the clock? I mean, not that I wouldn't track down a lethal arthropod for the good of the nation and all that, but nearly dying from a rare poison administered by assassins from the underworld through the medium of cobbler is something I wouldn't normally do on my own time. I'll still kill that pale elf woman either way, though, I'm just asking." He looks at The Director. "Oh! And thanks for the ride earlier, boss! I hope to carry you safely away from a mass murder in return some day!"

"If it's motivation you need then remember that this is for your antidote too," Málean says absent-mindedly as he hurries toward the quarry.

“An actor is ALWAYS seeking motivation!” Terrence shouts enthusiastically. “Motivation is what drives the story. Believe me, I have plenty of it. I'm not a fan of the forces of darkness, generally, and these fools have gone and made it personal. Now this general of theirs, what's her motivation, I wonder? To step into the jaws of death and strike at a well-loved sovereign? She didn't look like a political type to me, personally. More like a psychopath.”

"You're not the political type, either, Terrence!" came the voice from the jacket.

"Quiet you! I’ve already said you’re on thin ice."

"The courtiers are always the reason to leave the courts. Too many layers moving at once. It's likely to drive a man to insanity." Flynn shakes his head, feeling old memories slowly rising. "The sooner this mess is sorted, the happier I'll be."

“Well then, let's venture forth and procure some deadly poison with the greatest dispatch!” Terrence suggests. “The guards will just have to listen to reason. Let's follow the elven gentleman—he seems to be in a hurry. Say elf, they call you a tinker. What does that mean exactly? To tink? Are you tinking right now?”