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.

    Heydt, and their fellow adventurers through perilous lands where women - whether they be powerful magicians, or sword fighters sworn to protect - take up challenges so often considered the sole province of men, in twenty-six original stories collected and edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley.The sixteenth volume of "Sword & Sorceress" includes 25 all-original stories of strong, heroic women characters -- female warriors and wizards who face down perils and come to the aid of those in need. Includes the fantasy fiction of Diana Paxson, Lawrence Watt-Evans, Deborah Wheeler, and Dorothy J. Heydt, as well as an introduction by Marion Zimmer Bradley.

    WOMEN OF POWERTwo sisters, one a mercenary, one a practitioner of earth magic, learn that the irony of love knows no justice...A sorceress must come to the aid of a creature out of legend...A seeress has her life forever changed by a "voice" she never dreamed she would hear...A spell-gifted swords-woman learns that even an ancient magical inheritance can change in nature...Join Mercedes Lackey, Elisabeth Waters, Jennifer Roberson, Diana L Paxson and their fellow venturers to the lands where women of power - whether practitioners of the magical arts, or professionally trained with sword and dagger - need ask no protection from any man, in 22 original stories of honor, bravery, justice, and adventures

    They are sword-wielding defenders or magical spell-casters - roles too often considered the exclusive province of men.Handpicked by the late Marion Zimmer Bradley, here are 25 original stories about bold and talented women created by such masterful word-weavers as Diana Paxson, Esther M Friesner, and Dorothy J Heydt. Journey with them now through enchanted realms of the imagination into perils both physical and magical:Where the respect a sorceress pays to a simple farm animal can cure an entire village suffering from a devastating plague...A young woman is able to free a goddess from her husband, the god of war, with one word...With the help of a healer, a group of animal "familiars" unite to vanquish the magician who slew their masters...When the mentor of an apprentice sorceress is killed, the young sorceress-to-be gains her power from the most unlikely source imaginable...Before her death in 1999, Marion Zimmer Bradley had prepared volumes 19 and 20 of the ever-popular Sword & Sorceress anthology series. Known for discovering and nurturing some of today's best-selling talents, Bradley has once again assembled a powerhouse collection of fantasy fiction, filled with women warriors and wizards.Contents:Introduction · Elisabeth WatersThe Curse of Ardal Glen · Laura J. UnderwoodWhen the King Is Weak · Barbara E. TarboxThe Sign of the Boar · Diana PaxsonA Matter of Focus · Penny BuchananInner Sight · Susan WolvenFamiliars · Michael H. PayneOrdeal · Robyn McGrewGrain · Esther FriesnerGifts of the Kami · Carol E. LeeverOne in Ten Thousand · Aimee KrattsLord of the Earth · Dorothy HeydtLady of Light · Jennifer AshleyAll Too Familiar · P. Andrew MillerArtistic License · Deborah BurrosEarth, Wind and Water · Bob DennisFire for the Senjen Tiger · Stephen Crane DavidsonFighting Spirit · Karen MagonPride, Prejudice and Paranoia · Michael SpenceA Simple Spell · Marilyn A. RacetteSword of Queens · Bunnie BesselBetter Seen Than Heard · Emily C. A. SnyderOpenings · Meg HeydtA Little Magic · P. E. CunninghamEloma’s Second Career · Lorie CalkinsSylvia · A. Hall

    PaxsonLessons Learned · Kati Doughery-CarthumKendat’s Ax · Jan CombsThe Tower of Song · Howard HolmanThe Needed Stone · Denise Lopes HealdArmageddon · Lisa S. SilverthorneThe Land of Graves · Dave SmedsLight · Susan Urbanek LinvilleIn the Sacred Places of the Earth · Dorothy J. HeydtThe Glass Sword · Richard CorwinBed of Roses · Elisabeth WatersSword of Peace · Lucy Cohen SchmeidlerThe Fall of the Kingdom · Mary Soon LeeArms and the Woman · Lawrence Watt-EvansThe Stone Wives · Michael Chesley JohnsonTiger’s Eye · India EdghillRaven-Wings on the Snow · Pauline J. AlamaLittle Rogue Riding Hood · Rosemary EdghillThe Queen in Yellow · Gerald PerkinsMagic Threads · Pete D. Manison

    PaxsonThe Proper Balance • (1993) • short story by Robyn McGrewThe Gift of Minerva • (1993) • short story by Dorothy J. HeydtFriendly Fire • (1993) • short story by Mercedes LackeyHeart in a Box • (1993) • short story by Lynne Armstrong-JonesDance of Death • (1993) • short story by Donna Bocian CurrieEarth, Air, Fire, and Water • (1993) • short story by Kirsten M. CorbyFealty • (1993) • short story by Kati Dougherty-CarthumHunt for the Queen's Beast • (1993) • short story by J.M. CressyRobes • (1993) • short story by Patricia Duffy NovakBonds of Light • (1993) • short story by Vera NazarianNight, Who Creeps Through Keyholes • (1993) • short story by Francesca MymanOaths • (1993) • short story by Leslie Ann MillerDouble Vision • (1993) • short story by Lucas K. LawThe Phoenix Medallion • (1993) • short story by Diann PartridgeA Run in the Forest • (1993) • short story by David A. PillardOld Age and Treachery… • (1993) • short story by Nancy L. PineIn Sheep's Clothing • (1993) • short story by Lawrence SchimelHer Mother's Sword • (1993) • short story by Stephanie D. ShaverThe Sorceress' Apprentice • (1993) • short story by Deborah WheelerMage-Sight • (1993) • short story by Lynne Alisse WittenEther and the Skeptic • (1993) • short story by Katy Huth JonesThe Limwitch • (1993) • short fiction by Rebekah JensenSmile of the Goddess • (1993) • short story by Lorina J. StephensJust Reward • (1993) • short story by Karen LukBoys Will Be Girls • (1993) • short story by Vicki KirchhoffTaking Shape • (1993) • short story by Lisa DeasonJustice Is Mine • (1993) • short fiction by Carolee J. Edwards

    Bold women warriors, wise women, sorceresses wielding the powers of light - all are ready to aid those in need with no thought to the perils them themselves will face.Let some of today's fines fantasy writers - Mercedes Lackey, Jennifer Roberson, Diana Paxson, and their fellow visionaries - carry you off to the enchanted lands where stalwart heroines pit their skills against such terrors as:an ancient dragon that has long held a kingdom hostage to its terrible hunger...a stealer of magics who seeks to drain the power from all who cross her path...a mortal so caught in evil's thrall that not even his own family is safe from harm...and all the other enemies that only those long-trained to battle with sword and spell can hope to overcome...

    In all of fantasy's far-flung realms, women of power - whether trained in the ways of the warrior or in the deepest secrets of sorcery - rally against those who seek to conquer and enslave.Join today's most visionary fantasy writers - Mercedes Lackey, Diana Paxson, Josepha Sherman, and their comrades in words - as they lead you on quests for:shape-changers who prowl the night in search of unsuspecting prey;a sword whose cost could prove far greater than gold;a dragon whose magic may seem more of a curse than a blessing - and countless other adventures where one miscast spell or off-target arrow could see the forces of darkness invading all the magic's lands...Introduction (Sword And Sorceress IX) • (1992) • essay by Marion Zimmer BradleySlave to the Sword • (1992) • short story by Tanya BeatyShadows Do Not Bleed • (1992) • short story by Bruce D. ArthursBeastly! • (1992) • short story by Lynne Armstrong-JonesPiper • (1992) • short story by Susan Hanniford CrowleyStopthrust • (1992) • short story by Diana L. PaxsonElynne Dragonchild • (1992) • short story by Phil BrucatoFreeing Souls • (1992) • short story by Lisa DeasonBlademistress • (1992) • short story by Jessie D. EakerSorcerers' Gate • (1992) • short story by Patricia Duffy NovakThe Birthday Gift • (1992) • short story by Elisabeth WatersTangled Webs • (1992) • short story by Laura J. UnderwoodWinterwood • (1992) • short story by Stephanie D. ShaverRed Wings • (1992) • short story by Josepha ShermanAbove the Ground • (1992) • short story by Eric HainesOn a Night Like Any Other • (1992) • short story by Mark TompkinsA Woman's Weapon • (1992) • short story by Mercedes LackeyBehind the Waterfall • (1992) • short story by Mary FreyHoard • (1992) • short story by Steven PiziksQueen of the Dead • (1992) • short story by Dorothy J. HeydtThe Flower that Does Not Wither • (1992) • short story by Dave SmedsTo Have and to Hold • (1992) • short story by Linda GordonThe Catalyst • (1992) • short story by Lee Ann MartinsBreaking Walls • (1992) • short story by Leslie Ann MillerThe Enchanted Frog • (1992) • novelette by Cynthia L. WardThe Price of the Gods • (1992) • short story by Roxana PiersonTiger's Eye • (1992) • short fiction by Syne Mitchell

    THE STRENGTH OF WOMENCan a young witch survive when summoned to intervene in a marital spat between angry gods?When a Seeker of Truth discovers a terrible tragedy, will she choose to uphold her vows of honesty, or will she withhold evidence to protect her community?Will a girl with the ability to manipulate metals be able to free herself from the shackles of an abusive father?Can a princess seeking safe passage past Amazon lands uncover the truth behind the murder of their queen?In ancient Britain, can the vision of a young seer save her castle from destruction by enemy forces?Travel with Diana L Paxon, Deborah Wheeler, Dorothy J Heydt, Dave Smeds, and their fellow spell-casters, to enchanted kingdoms where women - wheather they be sword-sworn or sorcerers-in-training - face challenges too often considered the sole province of men, in twenty-one original stories collected and edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley.

    WITH SWORD AND SHIELD, SPELL AND CURSE...Even at the risk of losing her one true love, a young mage must put aside all she holds dear to achieve a higher goal...A benevolent shape-changer is all that stands between her village and the bloody ravages of a werewolf...With a gift granted by the birds themselves, an unhappy young woman may find the means to escape her life of servitude...A young healer never realizes her true Gift until she must heal herself...Travel with Diana Paxson, Jo Clayton, Deborah Wheeler, and their fellow tale-weavers to lands where bold, heroic, women wizards and warriors are not afraid to take on challenges too often considered the sole province of men, in 22 original stories of shape-shifters, dream-questers and other women of power.

    IN THE MAGIC REALMSa quickly woven spell may proved the key to power or to a power weaver's downfall, while a skilled blade wielder may survive dangers beyond even a sorceress wildest imaginings.So join today's top magic makers and talented newcomers as they guide you to kingdoms where: a late night encounter in a tavern can awaken sorceries more compelling than death;a swords-woman's capture will pit her against a cult of darkness;oath-bound companions possessed of a magical blade and wizardly skills stumble across a shape-changing mystery they're not all sure they should attempt to solve;and a colorful cast of bold women warriors and mistresses of enchantment comes breathtakingly alive to rove kingdoms created by Mercedes Lackey, Diana L Paxson, and many another noble scribe.

    They are many heroines of SWORD AND SORCERESS - brave women who have adopted the daring roles so often deemed to be the exclusive province of men.Join Diana L Paxson, Esther M Friesner, Rosemary Edghill, Leslie Fish, Dorothy j Heydt and their fellow spell-weavers as they carry on Marion Zimmer Bradley's proud, feminist tradition in the twenty-three original, swashbuckling and magical stories of SWORD AND SORCERESS XXI, where:A family of thieves is sorely disappointed by their daughter's wizarding ambitions...A warrior with amnesia is taught a lesson she could never have learned if she remembered her past...A girl is turned down by a school of magic because of her sex, only to become the disciple of a far more powerful mentor...An arrogant mage is taught that even the most powerful of sorcerers sometimes needs the help of material weapons...The best-selling "Sword & The Sorceress series continues with this thrilling 21st edition of all-original stories of action-packed adventure, ultimate magic, and fearsome, sword-wielding women by some of the best names in fantasy today.

    The bestselling Sword and Sorceress series continues with this exciting 20th edition of all-new stories. It's all here: hard-hitting action, spellbinding magic, butt-kicking heroines... and some of the most popular names in fantasy today.

    Authors who have appeared within the pages of Sword and Sorceress represent the full spectrum of some of the brightest talent working today -- from C.J. Cherryh, Charles de Lint, and Emma Bull . . . to Deborah J. Ross, Diana L. Paxson, and Laurell K. Hamilton.We are proud to continue the classic and vibrant feminist tradition with this twenty-fourth volume of new magical adventures edited by Elisabeth Waters, secretary and co-editor to Mrs. Bradley.Here are seventeen original stories of remarkable women of power, swashbuckling and magic, spells and duels, arcane sorcery and fabled heroism, written by familiar word-weavers of excitement and adventure, and bright newcomers who are sure to become favorites.Enter a wondrous universe . . .Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword and SorceressSword and Sorceress 24 includes stories by Deborah J. Ross, Helen E. Davis, Elisabeth Waters & Michael Spence, Brenta Blevins, K.D. Wentworth, Teresa Howard, Catherine Soto, Josepha Sherman, Cate McBride, Cynthia Ward, Jonathan Moeller, Dave Smeds, Therese Arkenberg, Michael H. Payne, Annclaire Livoti, Julia H. West, and Melissa Mead.

    Join Bradley and a celebrated entourage of fantasy writers on this latest journey into the world of Sword and Sorceress, where women of courage and wizardry challenge the evils of ensorcelled worlds with all their prowess at magic and weaponry.