“Hah! You are outa your head; th’ Healer was right,” Skif countered. “What, me run afore I can walk? Not likely! ’Sides,” he continued, contemplating all the potential fun he could have over the next four years in the Collegium, “I ain’t fleeced a quarter of them highborn Blues yet, nor got all I can outa them Artificer Blues!”

Alberich regarded him with a jaundiced eye. “I foresee—and ForeSight is my Gift—a great deal of trouble, with you at its center. And that no Trainee in the history of Valdemar will have more demerits against his name, before you go into Whites.”

“Suits me,” Skif replied saucily. “So long as I have fun doing it.”

“Fun for you—yes,” Alberich sighed. “Fun for the rest of us, however, extracting you from the tangles you make—”

“It’ll be worth it!” Skif insisted, once again feeling that giddy elation bubbling up inside him, as he felt the warmth of acceptance encircle him and hold him at its heart.

And in spite of present pain and future concerns, Herald Alberich gave him a real, unalloyed smile. “Oh, there is no doubt it will be worth it,” he said, and Skif had the sense that he meant more than just the subject of Skif’s future mischief. He meant Skif’s very existence as one of the Trainees now and Heralds to come, no matter who objected, or how strenuously, to the presence of a thief among them. He confirmed that with his next breath.

“Welcome, very welcome, to the Collegium, Skif. It seems we were always right to take a thief.”

About the Author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mercedes Lackey is a full-time writer and has published numerous novels and works of short fiction, including the bestselling Heralds of Valdemar series. She is also a professional lyricist and licensed wild bird rehabilitator. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and collaborator, artist Larry Dixon, and their flock of parrots.

Also Available from Titan Books and Mercedes Lackey

ALSO AVAILABLE FROM TITAN BOOKS AND MERCEDES LACKEY

THE COLLEGIUM CHRONICLES

Mercedes Lackey

Follow Magpie, Bear, Lena, and friends as they face their demons and find their true strength on the road to becoming full Heralds, Bards and Healers of Valdemar.

Book One: Foundation

Book Two: Intrigues

Book Three: Changes

Book Four: Redoubt

Book Five: Bastion

“Lackey makes a real page-turner out of Mags’ and the collegia’s development… this book’s outstanding characters, especially Mags, will greatly please Valdemar fans.” Booklist

“The tone, characterization, and rampant angst recall Lackey’s earliest Valdemar books… this is a worthy entry in the overall saga.” Publishers Weekly

“Lackey’s Valdemar series is already a fantasy classic, and these newest adventures will generate even more acclaim for this fantasy superstar.” Romantic Times

TITANBOOKS.COM

ALSO AVAILABLE FROM TITAN BOOKS AND MERCEDES LACKEY

THE HERALD SPY

Mercedes Lackey