Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Page Acknowledgements The Simple Gifts - Mercedes Lackey Catch Fire, Draw Flame - Rosemary Edghill and Denise McCune In an Instant - Elizabeth A. Vaughan A Healer’s Work - Daniel Shull A Leash of Greyhounds - Elisabeth Waters Warp and Weft - Kristin Schwengel Discordance - Jennifer Brozek Slow and Steady - Brenda Cooper Sight and Sound - Stephanie D. Shaver The Bride’s Task - Michael Z. Williamson and Gail L. Sanders Fog of War - Ben Ohlander Heart’s Peril - Kate Paulk Heart’s Place - Sarah A. Hoyt Family Matters - Tanya Huff The Watchman’s Ball - Fiona Patton Judgment Day - Nancy Asire Under the Vale - Larry Dixon About the Authors About the Editor TITLES BY MERCEDES LACKEY Raves for the Previous Valdemar Anthologies: “Fans of Lackey’s epic Valdemar series will devour this superb anthology. Of the thirteen stories included, there is no weak link—an attribute exceedingly rare in collections of this sort. Highly recommended.” —The Barnes and Noble Review “This high-quality anthology mixes pieces by experienced authors and enthusiastic fans of editor Lackey’s Valdemar. Valdemar fandom, especially, will revel in this sterling example of what such a mixture of fans’ and pros’ work can be. Engrossing even for newcomers to Valdemar.” —Booklist “Josepha Sherman, Tanya Huff, Mickey Zucker Reichert, and Michelle West have quite good stories, and there’s another by Lackey herself. Familiarity with the series helps but is not a prerequisite to enjoying this book.” —Science Fiction Chronicle “Each tale adheres to the Lackey laws of the realm yet provides each author’s personal stamp on the story. Well written and fun, Valdemarites will especially appreciate the magic of this book.” —The Midwest Book Review “The sixth collection set in Lackey’s world of Valdemar presents stories of Heralds and their telepathic horselike Companions and of Bards and Healers, and provides glimpses of the many other aspects of a setting that has a large and avid readership. The fiften original tales in this volume will appeal to series fans.” —Library Journal Under the Vale TITLES BY MERCEDES LACKEY available from DAW Books: THE HERALDS OF VALDEMAR ARROWS OF THE QUEEN ARROW’S FLIGHT ARROW’S FALL THE LAST HERALD-MAGE MAGIC’S PAWN MAGIC’S PROMISE MAGIC’S PRICE THE MAGE WINDS WINDS OF FATE WINDS OF CHANGE WINDS OF FURY THE MAGE STORMS STORM WARNING STORM RISING STORM BREAKING VOWS AND HONOR THE OATHBOUND OATHBREAKERS OATHBLOOD THE COLLEGIUM CHRONICLES FOUNDATION INTRIGUES CHANGES VALDEMAR ANTHOLOGIES: SWORD OF ICE SUN IN GLORY CROSSROADS MOVING TARGETS CHANGING THE WORLD FINDING THE WAY UNDER THE VALE BY THE SWORD BRIGHTLY BURNING TAKE A THIEF EXILE’S HONOR EXILE’S VALOR Written with LARRY DIXON: THE MAGE WARS THE BLACK GRYPHON THE WHITE GRYPHON THE SILVER GRYPHON DARIAN’S TALE OWLFLIGHT OWLSIGHT OWLKNIGHT OTHER NOVELS: GWENHWYFAR THE BLACK SWAN THE DRAGON JOUSTERS