My story is called "A Tangle of Truths," and finds Herald Arvil representing his Queen at a noble baby's birthday party. Multiple schemes and resentments collide and snarl, and nearly cost the birthday baby his life.
Tempest -- The Heralds of Valdemar are the kingdom’s ancient order of protectors. They are drawn from all across the land, from all walks of life, and at all ages—and all are Gifted with abilities beyond those of normal men and women. They are Mindspeakers, FarSeers, Empaths, ForeSeers, Firestarters, FarSpeakers, and more. These inborn talents—combined with training as emissaries, spies, judges, diplomats, scouts, counselors, warriors, and more—make them indispensable to their monarch and realm. Sought and Chosen by mysterious horse-like Companions, they are bonded for life to these telepathic, enigmatic creatures. The Heralds of Valdemar and their Companions ride circuit throughout the kingdom, protecting the peace and, when necessary, defending their land and monarch.
Now, twenty-three authors ride with Mercedes Lackey to her magical land of Valdemar, adding their own unique voices to the Heralds, Bards, Healers, and other heroes of this beloved fantasy realm.
Join Elizabeth Vaughan, Fiona Patton, Jennifer Brozek, Brenda Cooper, Rosemary Edghill, and others in twenty-two original stories, including a brand-new novella by Mercedes Lackey, to Valdemar, where:
A Herald must crack an ancient code in a historic tapestry in order to arbitrate a dispute over land and lineage…
A Healer’s daughter flees the noble family that has trapped and enslaved her mother, and must seek help to free her mother…
A young woman who hides her clairvoyant powers from her town’s Karsite priests ForeSees a threat, and must risk revealing her Gift to save her community…
A Herald finds his assistant has been abducted by a man upon whom he had levied a heavy fine, and must foil the kidnapper’s plans to save his charge…
This anthology contains:
A Small Quarrel by Stephanie D. Shaver
Girl Without the Gifts by Janny Wurts
Unimagined Consequences by Elizabeth A. Vaughan
Feathers in Flight by Jennifer Brozek
Blind Leaps by Ron Collins
Haver Hearthstone by Fiona Patton
Unraveling the Truth by Dayle A. Dermatis
Sparrow's Gift by Michele Lang
Harmless as Serpents by Rosemary Edghill & Rebecca Fox
The Apprentice and the Stable Master by Brenda Cooper
Unexpected Meeting by Nancy Asire
A Trip of Goats by Elisabeth Waters
The Ones She Couldn't Save by Louisa Swann
One Last Night Manning the Home Station by Brigid Collins
Only Family Matters by D. Shull
Medley by Jessica Schlenker & Michael Z. Williamson
A Tangle of Truths by Angela Penrose
The Unwanted Gift by Anthea Sharp
Dawn of a New Age by Dylan Birtolo
BloodLines by Phaedra Weldon
In Name Only by Kristin Schwengel
Ripples and Cracks by Larry Dixon and Mercedes Lackey
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