Tales of the Witch World 2

Ms. Norton didn't write *any* of the stories in this volume.Bell, Claire: "The Hunting of Lord Estalian's Daughter" Megarti, a witch-maid raped by a drunken noble, has asked to be shapechanged in her quest for revenge.Curry, Ginger Simpson: "Sea-Serpents of Domnudale" - The Wise Woman prophesies that twins will be born, one of the Dark to conquer and rule as overlord of many Dales, and one of the light - one evil, the other the true-born son of Lady Zvetta and her lord. But which is which? The 'bad seed' idea may not appeal, and the manner of presentation may distract you at first, but a good story.Gravel, Geary: "Old Toad" - Ander and Berry, young brother and sister, dwell in Mountain Gate on the Estcarp border - but *he's * the one with Witch power, while she has a talent for asking questions - like why the Council has transferred their resident Witch, and why the Borderers seem to be pulling out of the mountains bordering Karsten...Lewitt, S.N.: "The Judgment of Neave" - A tale of the Fane of Neave in Arvon and its search for a new guardian.Lichtenberg, Jaqueline: "Through the Moon Gate" - Remora, a tough youngster fed up with being laughed at for her dreams of the Old Ones, has struck out across the Waste to find Arvon. Instead, she finds a gate - and Dorian St. Just ("Good God, this isn't Denver, is it?") But he's not as out of place as one might think...Linaweaver, Brad & Cynthia: "Dream Pirates' Jewel" - After the destruction of Sulcarkeep in the Kolder War, leaving radioactive ruins, a small expedition finds a bay in southern High Hallack (separated by mountains from the chaos of the Invaders' War) that seems eminently suitable for a new keep. So the Sulcar have a settlement again, including some flotsam from the war, such as the witch-gifted girlchild Myrna, and her strange dreams of the sea.Major, A.R.: "La Verdad: The Magic Sword" - Gunnora sends an emissary to Abbey Halstead, furthest north of the convents of those who worship Those Who Set The Flames, asking alliance against the toads at Grimmerdale, to open a gate and bring forth a champion. (See _Lore of the Witch World_ if you're not familiar with Grimmerdale. Its chronology in the Invaders' War and that of the sword's origin don't seem to mesh at first, but the author has it covered.)Mathews, Patricia Shaw: "Darkness Over Mirhold" - Rovagh of Mirhold became lord by being a berserker fighting man in a hold desperate to have someone take over and start running the place. Derris, the narrator, is his newly-wed lady - one of the many orphans in the care of the Duke of Karsten, in these days after the war, chosen because she seemed the only one strong enough to help rebuild a ruined hold.Meier, Shirley: "Peacock Eyes" - Shallon, the narrator, was once human - she speaks of the days when the road through the Dales to the Gate, now crossing part of the Waste, was new, not old.Miesel, Sandra: "The Salt Garden" Orel, last survivor of Estindale after Alizon blasted it into slag with Kold

I never tire of Ms. Nortons collections of shorts. All of the authors are very talented and stick to the basic WW theme so well. Again, it is a steping stone for beginning authors as well as beginning readers and fun for both as well as a delight for long time Norton fans!