But he had a hard-won store of bitter knowledge acquired too late.

The brief, bitter knowledge that this was death.

With this realization there came the bitter knowledge that she would never make the long trek south along the shore before winter closed in.

For once he knew, once they shared the bitter knowledge, never again would he be able to look at her in the old way.

Though he had not yet entered, he also knew of the death and the bitter knowledge that he was too late.

The bitter knowledge of his shame held him to his seat.

The bitter knowledge of defeat would never die.

The sun-dark commander shrugged, his face full of bitter knowledge.

Only the bitter knowledge that she could do absolutely nothing had enabled her to hold her tongue.

And so they are left with the bitter knowledge that their capital has no place for them.