"From the time we were orphaned at the age of six my cousin and I were kept isolated within the Traiere Palace on Alpha Island. ‘For our protection’, our two regents informed us many times, and ‘For our own good’. I cannot tell you how sick I am of those phrases as they usually implied inflicting heartache and pain upon us for imperceptible benefits."
Alexander Rossus.

"I know my cousin later questioned how the Renmairk-supporting tigers had managed to slip past the meticulous scrutiny of Graaf Duchovni but I believe my regent knew exactly what some of our classmates were like and allowed them access to us. Part of his plan to make us tougher, stronger, meaner fighters – like himself. The Tau were rumoured to leave their newborn infants on mountaintops overnight to see if they had the fighting spirit to enable them to survive and become soldiers. I doubt this is true as they would not risk wasting any of their bloodline, but no Tau would ever deny such a tale."
Petereit Rossus.

"After all, he was the same lion who periodically has us drugged to build our immunity to poisons; who made us fence with sharpened weapons; who took our toys away the day we were orphaned and put into the care of our two regents; who sent me to Nakasini for two months of engineered humiliation; and who beat me - not when I did something wrong but when I did not conduct myself up to his high standards. Towards the end a daily occurrence."
Petereit Rossus.