How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
The trees there thinned into lighter woods. Ani looked back and surprised herself with a longing to stay in the true forest. Gilsa's house, small and lost in a ponderous ocean of trees, seemed more like a home than all her memories of her mother's palace. (6.11)
Since Ani contrasts her mom's coldness with Gilsa's warmth and love, it's only fitting that she compares their houses too. Gilsa's pad might be smaller and less grand than her mom's digs, but it's more connected with nature, so it feels more like home.
Quote #5
Enna looked back at the fire. "We're so ignorant out there in the trees, Isi. We've no idea the world's bigger than the walk to a foothill pasture." (10.26)
Enna says this of the forest people, but we think it could really apply to everyone in the book—while the royals might think they've got it all figured out, they need the forest people and their knowledge of animals and nature to survive.
Quote #6
"Wild horses, white as light on water, tall as cherry trees. They love to run, so fast they think they can become the wind if they just keep running. They run by the maiden, and the wind of their running blows her hair around her." (10.49)
In her story about the horse, Ani describes the horses running wild as beautiful and majestic. We totally get that, especially since Ani loves horses and nature. There's a much deeper meaning behind the story though, about figuring out who you are and where you belong. The girl in the story is willing to give up everything to see the horses run like the wind. For more on this story, check out the "Symbols" section.