“…[A]ll duels followed a pattern. They began with heat and fury, then settled into a contest of wills. With two equally matched opponents there would come a time when the worm of doubt entered the equation. The truly skilled recognized such moments, and fed them. It was at this time that the endgame would begin.”

—  David Gemmell , book Stormrider

Source: Rigante series, Stormrider, Ch. 7

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David Gemmell 195
British author of heroic fantasy 1948–2006

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