This second anthology of Darkover stories, first published in 1982, contains the following Lesson of the Inn, by Marion Zimmer Bradley A Sword Called Chaos, by Marion Zimmer Bradley Dark Lady, by Jane Brae-Bedell Of Two Minds, by Susan M. Hansen Through Fire and Frost, by Dorothy J. Heydt Way of a Wolf, by Lynne Holdom A Recipe For Failure, by Millea Kenin Where the Heart Is, by Millea Kenin Di Catenas, by Adrienne Martine-Barnes Camilla, by Patricia Shaw Mathews Skeptic, by Lynn Mimms Cold Hall, by Aly Parsons A Gift of Love, by Diana L. Paxson In the Throat of the Dragon, by Susan M. Shwartz Legend of the Hellers, by Terry Tafoya Escape, by Leslie L. Williams Rebirth, by Elisabeth Waters Confidence, by Phillip Wayne Wind-Music, by Mary Frances Zambreno

There is moderate shelf, creases on the side of cover. Has some stains on the bottom edges and the inside cover pages have turned brown from age. This is a first edition 1985.

Spanning generations of Darkover history, this collection of stories journeys into the heart of Darkover power, from the ancient chieri, to the alliance of Ariada Aillard, to Regis Hastur's struggle to bridge the gap between Terrans and the people of Darkover

From Guild House to lord's court, the Free Amazons ply their trade, serving as mercenaries wherever there is need, banding together in comradeship, setting themselves apart from the everyday rules of Darkovan society, earning their freedom with blade and deed, and freely giving shelter and assistance to any woman in search of a safe haven. From a fledgling matrix circle formed by Renunciates to a Free Amazon hired to protect Comyn Lord Varzil from an assassin's deadly threat to Marion's own recounting of a seemingly insurmountable conflict between Camilla and Rafaella—well-remembered characters from her magnificent novel, The Shattered Chain\—here are twenty-two brand new tales about those dauntless Darkovan heroines beloved by the countless readers who are always eager to return for new adventures on the world of the Bloody Sun. Introduction (Renunciates of Darkover) • essay by Marion Zimmer Bradley Strife • short story by Chel Avery Amazon Fragment (Excerpt) • short fiction by Marion Zimmer Bradley Broken Vows • short story by Annette Rodriguez If Only Banshees Could See • novelette by Janet R. Rhodes A Midsummer Night's Gift • short story by Deborah J. Ross \[as by Deborah Wheeler \] The Honor of the Guild • short story by Joan Marie Verba A Butterfly Season • short story by Diana L. Paxson Misjudged Situations • short story by Kelly B. Jaggers Awakening • novelette by Mary Fenoglio Carlina's Calling • short story by Patricia Duffy Novak A Beginning • short fiction by Judith Kobylecky Set a Thief • short story by Mercedes Lackey Shut-in • short story by Jean Lamb Danila's Song • short story by Vera Nazarian A Proper Escort • short story by Elisabeth Waters The Lesson in the Foothills • short story by Lynne Armstrong-Jones Summer Fair • short story by Emily Alward Varzil's Avengers • short story by Diann S. Partridge To Touch a Comyn • novelette by Andrew Rey About Time • short story by Patricia B. Cirone Family Visit • short story by Margaret L. Carter Dalereuth Guild House • short story by Priscilla W. Armstrong

A collection of tales set on Darkover, the world of the Bloody Sun, ranging from the creation of the Comyn Council to a Terran's first encounter with laran

An anthology of stories set in the world of the Bloody Sun examines the those gifted with laran—the ability to communicate telepathically with birds and beasts. Original.

Return to Darkover, the planet of the Bloody Sun, with this collection of stories written by the originator of this world. Free Amazons "To Keep the Oath" "Bonds of Sisterhood" aka "Amazon Fragment" (from the 1st draft of Thendara House) "House Rules" "Knives" Hilary "Firetrap", w/Elisabeth Waters "The Keeper’s Price, w/Elisabeth Waters "The Lesson of the Inn" "Hilary’s Homecoming" "Hilary’s Wedding" Rohana "Everything but Freedom" Dyan Ardais "Oathbreaker" "The Hawk-Master’s Son" "Man of Impulse" "The Shadow"

Noted authors—including Mercedes Lackey, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Diana Paxson—return to Darkover, the planet of the Bloody Sun where a wall of ice separates man from the snowy wasteland

Return to the world of the Bloody Sun... Over fifty years ago, master story-teller Marion Zimmer Bradley introduced readers to a compelling new world. Darkover, a distant planet circling a red sun, was home to telepaths and rebels, lovers and rivals, nonhuman races both friendly and deadly, ancient traditions and even more ancient feuds, and psychic gifts of unimaginable power, channeled through starstone gems and capable of changing not only individual lives, but the entire world. Generations of fans have fallen in love with Darkover, and many of them have gone on to notable literary careers of their own. Now editors Deborah J. Ross and Elisabeth Waters have gathered together luminaries of fantasy in this star-studded anthology of original stories that illuminate Darkover's rich history and culture. From the Ages of Chaos to re-contact with the Terrans, from the Dry Towns to the back streets of Thendara to the horse pastures of Armida, these tales offer action, courage, and humor, set in the wondrous world that is Darkover. This volume contains stories by Robin Wayne Bailey, Rachel Manjia Brown, Barb Caffrey, Debra Doyle and James D. Macdonald, Rosemary Edghill and Rebecca Fox, Leslie Fish, Gabrielle Harbowy, Steven Harper, Shariann Lewitt, Vera Nazarian, Diana L. Paxson, Janni Lee Simner, Kari Sperring, Judith Tarr, Ann Sharp and Elisabeth Waters.

Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Darkover remains one of the longest-running and best-loved series of all time, one that has touched the hearts and fired the imaginations of generations of readers. Now Darkover comes alive as never before in the hands of talented authors, many of whom found inspiration for their own careers in the world of the Bloody Sun. On a wondrous planet of telepaths and swordsmen, non-humans and ancient mysteries, a technologically advanced, star-faring civilization comes into inevitable conflict with one that has pursued psychic gifts and turned away from weapons of mass destruction. Darkover offers many gifts, asked for and unexpected. Those who come here, ignorant of what they will find, discover gifts outside themselves and within themselves. The door to Darkover’s magic swings both ways, however, and many a visitor leaves the people he encounters equally transformed. This anthology includes stories by Robin Wayne Bailey, Jane M. H. Bigelow, Barb Caffrey, Margaret L. Carter, Rosemary Edghill & Rebecca Fox, Jeremy Erman, Leslie Fish, Shariann Lewitt, Deborah Millitello, Ty Nolan, Diana L. Paxson, and Marella Sands.

Marion Zimmer Bradley’s beloved world of Darkover encompasses many realms, from glacier-shrouded mountains to arid wastelands, from ancient kingdoms to space-faring empires. Now this all-new anthology welcomes old friends and new fans to explore these landscapes of time and place, history and imagination. Darkover’s psychic gifts known as laran bestow the ability to reach across the stars, meld with another’s mind, and experience past and possible futures. These talents are not limited to Darkover’s human inhabitants, for the planet is also home to nonhuman races, many with powerful mental abilities of their own. In these stories, a swordsman on the track of an assassin forges a telepathic bond with a great owl…a shapeshifter from Earth discovers kinship with a Darkovan catman…a boy from the desert Dry Towns displays a deadly form of weather-control…rescuers make their way across blizzard-cloaked mountains, afoot or on skis…and an intrepid young woman challenges the male establishment in her dream of becoming a judge. Robin Wayne Bailey + Jane M. H. Bigelow + Barb Caffrey + Margaret L. Carter & Leslie Roy Carter + Rosemary Edghill & Rebecca Fox+ Leslie Fish + Shariann Lewitt + Deborah Millitello + Ty Nolan + Diana L. Paxson + Marella Sands + Michael Spence

Orbiting a distant red sun, the planet Darkover was settled long ago by human colonists and then cut off from the rest of civilization. Over millennia of isolation, it gave rise to a rich culture ruled by a telepathic aristocracy, but was also home to nonhuman races, both hostile and friendly. As kingdoms rose and fell, the enhanced psychic gifts called laran, channeled through starstone gems, transformed not only individual lives, but the entire world. In the spirit of a masqued revel, here is a gala presentation of tales set in Marion Zimmer Bradley’s beloved world of the Bloody Sun. Some of these stories are humorous, others dark, some gritty, and others whimsical or romantic, but all reflect the richness and breadth of adventures to be found on Darkover. This volume includes stories by Robin Wayne Bailey, Jane M. H. Bigelow, Evey Brett, Leslie Roy Carter and Margaret L. Carter, India Edghill, Rosemary Edghill, Rebecca Fox, Steven Harper, Shariann Lewitt, Meg Mac Donald, Ty Nolan, and Marella Sands.

Darkover’s position on the galactic arm renders it strategically important, a crossroads in space. It’s also a place where cultures meet and clash, where strangers encounter one another, and where lives are forever transformed. Whether the tale features a literal branching of the road, a fateful decision, a twist of fate, or a life-changing realization, the theme of “crossroads” echoes through these pages. Here assumptions are challenged, dangers braved, and hidden truths revealed. Add a touch of Darkover’s special romance, a bit of humor here and there, and the result is a thrilling journey, no matter which road you follow. This volume includes stories by Robin Wayne Bailey, Jane M. H. Bigelow, Evey Brett, Rosemary & India Edghill, Leslie Fish, Rebecca Fox, Gabrielle Harbowy, Shariann Lewitt, Pat MacEwen, Deborah Millitello, Diana L. Paxson, Jenna Rhodes, Robin Rowland & Deborah J. Ross, and Marella Sands.

Strongholds of rock . . . fortresses of the spirit . . . a planet set apart . . . A castle high in snow-covered mountains beneath a ruddy sun, a place at once romantic and bleak, alien and richly nostalgic . . . a heart besieged and then re-awakened . . . secrets locked away by stone and spell . . . the last refuge of desperate folk . . . Towers where laran-Gifted circles work their magic . . . and Darkover itself, a world apart, yet under repeated assault by those who would exploit its natural resources, including its unique telepathic Gifts . . . Citadels can be psychic, emotional, and cultural as well as military, and the wonderfully imaginative contributors to this volume have taken the basic idea and spun out stories in different and often unexpected directions. This volume contains stories by Robin Wayne Bailey, Jane M. H. Bigelow, Barb Caffrey, Evey Brett, Lillian Csernica, Leslie Fish, Rebecca Fox, Steven Harper, Shariann Lewitt, Diana L. Paxson, Robin Rowland, and Marella Sands.