Jade Fern Grove The loneliest people are the kindest

"Oh, she told me a great many things," Merlin said with an annoying I-know-something-you-don't grin, "some you may not even begin to comprehend." And he sounded quite convincing, because, if you do not remember your mom, you can come up with great many things (that's why non-existant moms are so handy - they are flexible and do not protest) and, who can prove that the facts you spill are not true? In his case, he could always appeal to his memory loss. Don't blame me, blame it on my head!

"Besides - I was watching my back, you just did not know it. Else you would have been successful in your quest, but..." he paused and pretended to ponder about something. "... but a little birdie whispered in my ear that you... how to put it... failed?"