How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Ani felt the crowd shudder at the power in the queen's voice. Would that her voice accompanied me, thought Ani, and not a stained handkerchief. The thing felt thin and warm in her hand. She squeezed it and wished it were more than a token, wished it really could somehow carry safety and home and the love of a mother. (3.34)
There's no doubt about it: the queen has a way with words. Have you ever listened to someone speak and nodded along with everything they say? That's exactly how the queen is—she's just one of those people who knows how to convince you to do something. And that's exactly how Ani is not.
Quote #5
"It talks about the old tales, I guess. How in faraway places there are people what talk to things not people, but to the wind and trees and such. 'The falcon hears the boar, the child speaks to spring.'" (5.84)
Ani is telling Gilsa about the meaning behind a song she sings. Notice how even this is about language between nature and people—everywhere Ani goes, people, trees, birds, and such are talking to one another.
Quote #6
Its orange fingers waved specters on the blacks of Enna's eyes. "I get to looking and can't look away. Don't you ever feel like fire is a friendly thing? That it's signaling to you with its flames, offering something?" (10.20)
Enna's a little bashful to share this secret with Ani, but she shouldn't be because Ani knows exactly what she's talking about. Just think about it: if even the fire can communicate with us, there's no stopping language in Bayern and Kildenree. It's clear that it's not just the people-speakers who rule the world.