How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"Like Asarta undoing her years in the story, you mean?" said Tahl. "After she'd given the ring to Reyel and Dirna?" (16.91)
Tahl cites the story of Asarta's reverse aging to discuss how Meena and Alnor are now younger. He cites what some see as a mythical tale so he can understand what's going on before his own eyes—he also mentions the ring, which Zara claims is also just a story. As it turns out though, both of these myths are real in Tilja's world and they carry great consequences for her friends, family, and the world around them.
Quote #5
The idiot story flooded back into her mind, the story that she had never believed, thinking it just a mechanism by which her mother could bind her for all her life to Woodbourne, as she herself had been bound, because Saranja had once made the mistake of admitting that she sometimes imagined she could hear the cedars talking. (Epilogue.8)
Saranja, a future Urlasdaughter, doesn't believe the story Anja has told her descendants. She doesn't think her family has any magical responsibility, and instead thinks that the story isn't true and is just something her mother used as a guilt trip to get her to stay home. But, as she'll find out, all of the elements come together to prove that this myth is a reality.
Quote #6
Tilja got a clear look at the man on the throne as it turned the corner. He was wearing a small crown with three golden feathers at the front. Beneath that his face was as pale as a mushroom, fleshy, with a snub nose and pale lips showing through a weedy little beard. [...]
So this was the Emperor. In all her life Tilja had never seen anyone looking so bored. He could have anything in the world he pleased, but nothing in the world could please him. Seeing him for that brief moment, she felt a shudder of horror both at him and for him. Then, as the throne vanished behind the next rank, she thought, And he wants to reconquer the Valley. No! (12.62-63)
Tilja is shocked by the appearance of the Emperor when she finally comes face-to-face with the man who has caused so much grief to her and others. He looks like a fat, spoiled little kid, someone who will never be satisfied with what he has. After all, how could anyone look so bored in the middle of a parade that shows that he has everything he could ever need? The realization of just who the Emperor is—and that such a man would be ruling over her home if she fails on her quest—causes Tilja to reaffirm her desire to find the Ropemaker.