Glen Cook. Chronicles of the Black Squad (№ 416283)

A man lay in front of me. He sank to the very bottom, but then he fought his way back to the light, and now he earned respect. And now this person is much more worthy than me. Because, having determined his moral guidelines, he held out to the end, even at the cost of his own life. And part of his guilt - albeit a small one - he atoned for.