Michelle Paver

There's always a choice,' said Torak, and walked backward off the cliff.

Evil exists in us all, Torak. Some fight it. Some feed it. That's how it's always been.

Writing is a mysterious process, and many ideas come from deep within the imagination, so it's very hard to say how characters come about. Mostly, they just happen.

"So I've got to find a mountiain that nobody's ever seen. And work out the answer to a riddle that nobody's ever solved. And kill a bear that nobody can fight." Renn sucked in her breath. "You've go to try."

Choas errupted amoung the watchers. They didn't think it was over at all. "He cheated! He used fire!""No, he won fairly enough!"

Run, Torak! The bear...is...possessed...

You cannot go and warn him," Saeunn said sternly. "It is too late. You would never find him.""I know," said Renn without turning her head.To herself she added, But I've still got to try.

Men like that _ when they know they won__ be found out _ they will do anything.