A short story of 9.5k words.Set in the expansive universe of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar, this is about a young woman who works in an inn. She's yearned and waited much of her life for a companion to walk past the gates, choose her, and carry her into a heroic, useful life.This doesn't happen. It never has. But she does meet a companion and her herald, Carris-the latter injured, with a mission that cost the life of his partner. The mission isn't completed, and it's critical.Kelsey decides to help-and discovers why a herald and their companion were killed in commission of that mission. Can she survive? Can Carris? I write novels for DAW books. There are 11 books in total, over three different, but connected series:THE SACRED HUNT:Hunter's OathHunter's DeathTHE SUN SWORD:Broken CrownUncrowned KingShining CourtSea of SorrowsRiven ShieldSun SwordTHE HOUSE WAR:Hidden CityCity of NightHouse NameSkirmishBattleOracleFirstbornWarOver the years, I've written novellas tied into the universe in which these novels are set, and all but one are out of print. So I'm here, in part, to at least make the stories available as epubs from here on :)I *also* write novels as Michelle Sagara, for Mira & for DAW:
