Unregistered magic users are pursued to the death, while in every genteel home resides uncomplaining rowankind bondservants who have become so commonplace that no one can recall where they came from.Meanwhile, Rossalinde Tremayne is satisfied with her life as a cross-dressing privateer captain on the high seas. But a bitter deathbed visit to her estranged mother changes her life completely when she inherits a magical winterwood box. Now, not only is she confronted with a newly-discovered brother, and an annoyingly handsome wolf shapeshifter, Rossalinde has to decide whether or not to open the box to free rowankind and right an ancient wrong—even if it brings the downfall of Britain.This brand-new series is perfect for fans of Elizabeth Bear, D.B. Jackson, and Marie Brennan, as well as readers of historical fiction who are looking for an accessible gateway to fantasy.

    Here you will venture forth with priestesses and assassins. Here be unicorns and mythical beasts of darkness.Here is adventure!Fifteen original tales by such writers as C.J. Cherryh, Diana Paxson, Phyllis Ann Karr, Charles Saunders, Jennifer Roberson, and more, selected and introduced by the Wise Woman of Darkover, Marion Zimmer Bradley herself.Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword and Sorceress series has always featured the best in contemporary women's fantasy, and this outstanding new volume carries on the tradition! These original stories of brave, talented, and heroic women will take readers through enchanted realms of the imagination into danger both physical and mystical, where the only way to survive is through the power of sword and spell.Introduction · Marion Zimmer BradleyA Night at Two Inns · Phyllis Ann KarrThe Red Guild · Rachel PollackShadow Wood · Diana L. PaxsonUnicorn's Blood · Bruce D. ArthursThe Unshadowed Land · C.J. CherryhShimenege's Mask · Charles R. SaundersThe Black Tower · Stephen L. BurnsThe Lady and the Tiger · Jennifer RobersonFireweb · Deborah WheelerCold Blows the Wind [Angharad] · Charles de LintSword of the Mother · Dana Kramer RollsHunger · Russ GarrisonOn First Looking into Bradley's Guidelines, or Stories I Don't Want to Read Either · Elizabeth ThompsonThe Chosen Maiden · Raul ReyesRed Pearls · Richard CorwinWound on the Moon · Vera Nazarian