The story of Bordio is the description of a chess game, as seen from the prospective of the game pieces. It is written so that chess players and non players alike, can enjoy the read. Within the telling of the story, there are chess references, but they are so slight they may, or may not, be noticed by non chess players. The reader can play the game, move for move, as they read the book. White's move is at the beginning of each chapter and Black's move is at the end. The story follows the ...

Discover the fate of the original black Magician, Pug, and his motley crew of agents who safeguard the world of Trigia, as prophecy becomes truth in the Midkemian trilogy.THE KINGDOM BESIEGEDThe Darkness is coming…The Kingdom is plagued by rumour and instability. Kingdom spies in Kesh have been disappearing – either murdered, or turned to the enemy side. Information has become scant and unreliable; but one thing appears clear. Dark forces are on the move…Sin...

The sequel to the New York Times best seller Off Armageddon ReefThe world has changed. The mercantile kingdom of Charis has prevailed over the alliance designed to exterminate it. Armed with better sailing vessels, better guns and better devices of all sorts, Charis faced the combined navies of the rest of the world at Darcos Sound and Armageddon Reef, and broke them. Despite the implacable hostility of the Church of God Awaiting, Charis still sta...

Includes a Game of Thrones novella and a Lord John tale from Diana Gabaldon! "Entirely successful. There really is something for everybody in it." — BooklistFrom George R. R. Martin's Introduction to Warriors :"Our contributors make up an all-star lineup of award-winning and bestselling writers, representing a dozen different publishers and as many genres. We asked each of them for the same thing—a story about a warrior. So...

THE ROAD HOMEBahzell Bahnakson of the Horse Stealer hradani never wanted to be a champion of the War God. Unfortunately, Tomandk had insisted. Even more unfortunately, Bahzell's own sense of responsibility hadn't let him say, "No."Which was how he found himself in the Empire of the Axe, where even people who didn't actively hate hradani regarded them with suspicion and fear. Of course, that was only the start of his problems.Next, there was the Order of Tomanak, man...

The Aurora Award–winning author of the Man of His Word novels returns to the magical realm of Pandemia with the first in his Handful of Men series.For fifteen years, Queen Inos and King Rap—the former stable boy and secret sorcerer—have ruled Krasnegar wisely and happily, raising a family and prospering in their remote little kingdom.But a darkness is encroaching, foreshadowed by prophecies of unimagined cataclysms across Pandemia. Prince Emshandar, better ...

The Daughter of Odren is a short fantasy story of betrayal and revenge set in the world of Earthsea, in which Weed, the daughter of Lord Garnet, waits for the day she will have her father back.For fourteen years, Weed, as she is called, the daughter of Lord Garnet, has brought offerings to the standing stone. Alone in a shallow valley, she implores the stone not to forget her. To remember who he is and the life he led. To wait until the day he will be avenged.Now t...

In this second novel in the Annals of the Western Shore trilogy, Ursula K. Le Guin brings readers a haunting and gripping coming-of-age story set against a backdrop of violence, intolerance, and magic.Ansul was once a peaceful town filled with libraries, schools, and temples. But that was long ago, and the conquerors of this coastal city consider reading and writing to be acts punishable by death. And they believe the Oracle House, where the last few undestroyed bo...

When the brutal dvargir murder her parents, Morigna is raised by the Old Man, the mysterious and feared sorcerer of the hills.But the Old Man does nothing without a price.And his teachings have a purpose of their own...

Severian the Torturer continues his epic journey across the lands of Urth, carrying with him the Claw of the Conciliator and the great sword, Terminus Est. All his travels are leading towards a destiny that he dare not refuse . . .Winner of the John W. Campbell Award for best novel, 1984

A village has fallen on hard times and does not have coin to pay their taxes. They plead for mercy but when General Alcion orders Jonmarc and his men to do the unthinkable, they must make some hard choices. The options weigh heavy on Jonmarc and an old curse seems likely to come true.Soldier. Fight slave. Smuggler. Warrior. Brigand lord. If you’ve met Jonmarc Vahanian in the Chronicles of the Necromancer and Fallen Kings Cycle books, you don’t really know him until you take his jou...

Darweena must choose to fight for the Forest Folk in an epic battle against the beasts. Will she choose love over her home? A short story of 3700 words.