The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan
"Will I?" Perrin almost laughed. "I will that. We will be into the Ways in a few hours." "The Ways?" Gaul’s expression did not change, but he blinked. "Does that make a difference?" "Death comes for all men, Perrin." It was hardly a comforting answer.
That was part of a saying he had picked up in the Borderlands. "Death is lighter than a feather, duty heavier than a mountain."
"That mountain can grow awfully heavy sometimes," he sighed, taking a spear and buckler from Rhuarc. "When do you find a chance to put it down awhile?" "When you die," Lan said simply.