˝Both manhood and magery are built on one rock: power belongs to men. If women had power, what would men be but women who can｀t bear children? And what would woman be but who can?˝
˝Hah!˝ went Tenar; and presentlyv with some cunning, she said, ˝Haven｀t there been queens? Weren｀ they women of power?˝
˝A queen｀s only a she-king,˝ said Ged.
She snorted.
˝I mean, men give her power. They let her use their power. But it isn｀t hers, is it? It isn｀t because she｀s a woman that she｀s powerful, but despite it.˝
She nodded. She stretched, sitting back from the spinning wheel. ˝What is a woman｀s power, then?˝ she asked.
˝I don｀t think we know.˝
˝When has a woman power because she｀s a woman? With her children, I suppose. For a while…˝
˝In her house, maybe.˝
She looked around the kitchen. ˝But the doors are shut,˝ she said, ˝the doors are locked.˝
˝Because you｀re valuable.˝
˝Oh, yes. We｀re precious. So long as we｀re powerless… ˝