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Tales of Valdemar
Stolen Silver
Alberich's new horse had been stolen from the enemy--but it wasn't the only thing stolen.This story was originally published in the anthology HORSE FANTASTIC, December 1991.
19 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2010
About the author
Mercedes Lackey
440 books9,622 followersMercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a small recording company specializing in science fiction folk music.
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 26, 2017
I didn't realize that this story predated the Alberich books. It's almost word for word the same as the opening episode from his first book. It's a great introduction to the character and a great story, but if you've read the books, there's nothing new for you here.
June 13, 2023
lovely
Alberich is a staple in the Valdemar books (well, for about 9 of them, I think) - and this shows the moment when this Karsite is chosen, in Karse! Short, definitely not sweet, yet somehow fulfilling.
Alberich is a staple in the Valdemar books (well, for about 9 of them, I think) - and this shows the moment when this Karsite is chosen, in Karse! Short, definitely not sweet, yet somehow fulfilling.
January 14, 2024
Riding rough
This is the story of how Herald Albrich was secreted out of Jersey by his Companion. This is such a great little story. You should follow it up with the two volumes on Herald Albrich. He also appeared in quite a number of other books first and is a very popular character in the Valdemar world.
This is the story of how Herald Albrich was secreted out of Jersey by his Companion. This is such a great little story. You should follow it up with the two volumes on Herald Albrich. He also appeared in quite a number of other books first and is a very popular character in the Valdemar world.
July 28, 2025
I have never understood the power needed by some to control the others, and I hope I never do. The Voices of Karse remind me far too much of the people I have met in the present day religious community. Regardless, I truly enjoyed the story of finding one of the Captains in the Karse army being chosen by a Companion. What irony!
October 3, 2020
An enemy soldier becomes a herald.
This hot story is the first chapter of a longer story in 'The exiles of Valdemar' book set. It explains how a companion inserts itself into a company of Karse soldiers to retrieve his chosen a young Karse captain hunting bandits.
This hot story is the first chapter of a longer story in 'The exiles of Valdemar' book set. It explains how a companion inserts itself into a company of Karse soldiers to retrieve his chosen a young Karse captain hunting bandits.
July 19, 2021
this reprinted 1991 short
fills in a gap in Alberich’s origin tale (it was, iirc, later expanded into a full length novel about herald Alberich.) Mostly, I’m guessing, interesting to those who’ve already read some of the tales in which he appears. Good stuff.
fills in a gap in Alberich’s origin tale (it was, iirc, later expanded into a full length novel about herald Alberich.) Mostly, I’m guessing, interesting to those who’ve already read some of the tales in which he appears. Good stuff.
January 17, 2023
I enjoyed this short look into Alberich's past, especially since I first "met" him in the first book of the Heralds of Valdemar series.
I have to say though, I think he probably enjoyed life a lot more as a Herald. Poor guy...
I have to say though, I think he probably enjoyed life a lot more as a Herald. Poor guy...
July 23, 2023
A WHITE HORSE IN KARSE
A White Horse in Karse, a Companion in disguise. A captain's life is changed by the gift of a horse. He is having forbidden visions that almost get him killed.
A White Horse in Karse, a Companion in disguise. A captain's life is changed by the gift of a horse. He is having forbidden visions that almost get him killed.
September 5, 2019
Originally part of one of the anthologies, this is a great story to read on its own--particularly before you read Exile's Honor and Exile's Valor.
August 15, 2020
Dramatic & Exciting
A short but exciting introduction to how Arms Master Alberich became a Herald. Very enjoyable I'm a huge fan of Ms Lackey.
A short but exciting introduction to how Arms Master Alberich became a Herald. Very enjoyable I'm a huge fan of Ms Lackey.
January 10, 2022
Loved rereading
I read the novel Exile's Honor before I got this short story in a Kindle bundle. Enjoyed it then. Enjoyed becoming reacquainted with it.
I read the novel Exile's Honor before I got this short story in a Kindle bundle. Enjoyed it then. Enjoyed becoming reacquainted with it.
April 6, 2025
Shortstory introduction of Alberich. Very good!
June 10, 2012
Excerpt from Exile's series.
Read
June 25, 2012Alberich's new horse had been stolen from the enemy--but it wasn't the only thing stolen.This story was originally published in the anthology HORSE FANTASTIC, December 1991.
July 3, 2013
The story of how Alberich, the weaponsmaster in Haven, comes to Valdemar from Karse.
October 19, 2017
Alberich's story
This was a very short story about one of the most mysterious characters in Valdemar's. Unfortunately she seems burnt out on this series.
This was a very short story about one of the most mysterious characters in Valdemar's. Unfortunately she seems burnt out on this series.
March 6, 2024
re-read 3/12/2006
re-read 3/3/2014
re-read 3/3/2014
March 30, 2015
This is actually the short story that inspired the novel Exile's Honor.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews