Includes the previously released (and discontinued) novellas Karras the Kitten and Karras the Cat plus the new Karras the Nameless. Karras the Kitten Karras as a dwarf has taken on too many human ways in serving his family of seatraders. No wonder that in "barter" for marriage with the fiery and dour Skirra of the fallen family of Yêarclág, that he has bungled the deal for years. Dismissed again by her, his heart's wounds get salted with the unwanted assistance of a blustery clan-kin—Fiáh’our, the great "Hammer-Stag." The old warrior has a notion of what Karras needs, for to Fiáh’our, honorable barter for love and marriage is akin to one battle after another. Only the way of their people’s warriors can see Karras to victory—over himself, first of all. May their people’s eternal ancestors, the Bäynæ, watch over them—especially to keep them from each other’s throats. Karras the Cat Fiáh’our is honorbound to take Karras as an apprentice and force his young clan-kin to learn the ways of their warriors. Poor Fiáh’our has no idea what he is in for. Karras has no intention of doing more than is necessary to fulfill his unwilling apprenticeship. Worse, he is pitifully unsuited to his new calling and still suffers unrequited love for Skirra. Fiáh’our has an inkling about why Skirra rejected Karras and believes he can make his new apprentice worthy of her. On the northern frontier, where he goes each summer for good service, a threat to the villagers has returned. The longer he delays in training with Karras, the greater his guilt for not defending those in need. And failure in one or both might be paid in lives. Karras the Nameless A year has passed, and a harsh winter encroaches. Fiáh’our, Karras, Gän’gehtin, and a few allies defend a small village from the growing goblin menace. Losses mount on both sides and neither victory nor retreat seem possible; this is the worst horror of a champion. Fiáh’our has even more worries. He once lost another apprenctice long ago. Karras has served well but has yet to understand the truth of “stone” that most dwarves never know. If he does, it will come in the worst way. Faced with an unwinnable war, must Fiáh’our choose between ending it and guarding his new apprentice? Karras still mourns failure with Skirra. Though his need of her has changed, has he changed enough? Even so, not all dangers come from an enemy, and some are much closer. If he survives, will he sacrifice what is necessary to be with Skirra? Even so, it may not be enough. **

Kyne Erhtenwal is a gifted but troubled child initiate in the Guild of Sagecraft. Clearly a budding scholar, she has too much awe for her outcast idol, Journeyor Wynn Hygeorht, but even moreso for Wynn’s tall, wolf-like companion, Shade. Kyne believes Shade is a sacred majay-hì—one of the “hounds of the Fay” or fairy-hounds.When one of her guild instructors, Emelia Ginjeriè, makes her promise to stop talking about the majay-hì and Shade, Kyne thinks it is the worst thing that could happen to her. That promise becomes like the cage of a prisoner she stumbles upon one night near the city’s great port.Unable to say anything to anyone about the prisoner, Kyne looks for help from her two closest friends among the initiates—Marten and Grim. Her promise forces her to lie to them for an ill-conceived plan, which may end with all three of them being thrown out of the guild. And that is the least of the possible dangers.About "Tales from the world of the Noble Dead Saga"...No knowledge of the Noble Dead Saga or related works is necessary to read and enjoy these stories. They are written for fantasy enthusiasts in general and not just our established readership. Readers new to this world can step into it through any of these short works.Tales are organized into “collections” where all stories therein share a theme and/or premise. When one or more link together, subsequent stories will mention “sequel to…” on their covers to guide you. Even so, each is self-contained enough to be your first adventure into this world.—Barb & J.C. Hendee **