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Ask Misty Archive - Companions & Firecats Writing | Games and Gamers | Birds & Animals | Books in Progress | Music | Books & Movies Arts & Crafts | Conventions and Fandom | Valdemar | Companions | Miscellany 2003 Q: What happens if to Companions want to Chose the same person? Does that person end up with two companions? Or do the Companions decide together who Choses that person? Or do both the Companions go off and Chose different people to the one originally in dispute? A: The two Companions in question go off and have a long discussion about it, sometimes with the Monarch's Own Companion as intermediary, and decide which of them gets to grab the human in question.
Q: Dear mercedes I've read all of the books in your Valdemar series and loved them all I felt Like I whose right there. I was just wondering how many heralds has Rolan had? A: Honestly, I haven't decided that yet.
Q: I'm also still getting questions about the four Monarch's Own companions. Any suggestions on what we can do to un confuse the fans? Teri A: Let's see if I can clarify the whole business of the Monarch's Own Companion. First of all, as a purely arbitrary number (which is entirely subject to change since it isn't established in the books themselves) I decided that there are four of the quasi-immortal, archangel-equivalent Monarch's Own Companions that take the job in an informal rotation. As I said, I reserve the authorial right to decide that there are more than four, because that number has never been stated IN THE BOOKS. I've only ever mentioned three of them by name. Kyrith, who Chose the Baron Valdemar's Herald (and hasn't appeared in any stories so far)---Taver, who is Herald Talamir's first Companion---and Rolan, who is Talia's Companion. (In an earlier posting, I forgot that I had mention Kyrith by name, in no small part because he's never appeared in any stories). The fourth remains unnamed at this point. There are other Grove-Born Companions (the first ones were all Grove-Born, in fact) that may appear from time to time, but they aren't the super-elite Monarch's Own Companions. Now some of you may be under the mistaken impression that I have all of this completely outlined somewhere, from the Founding to the "present day" (which currently is paused at the end of the Owl books). I don't. I'm making it up as I go along. Which is why I haven't entirely made up my mind about the number of Monarch's Own Companions yet. First of all, I'm not a very organized person, so my approach to writing rather reflects that. Second, I don't like pinning myself down to the point where I'm stuck with a story-line that I discover in the process of writing really doesn't work. Third, it would take an enormous amount of time to plot out an outline of that scope, and I'd rather write the books, and fourth, I don't want to publish an outline/timeline and then have people disappointed that something in it never gets to the book stage. After all, look at all of the queries about Sun and Shadow, and the Founding, even though I've repeatedly stated t hat these things are much better suited to legend and song than to prose, and that I don't intend to write any books or stories about those people and events. So I would rather just leave things open-ended.
Q: I hope to keep this short and sweet, but it's hard because I feel kinda like we are best-buddies already. I've been a fan of Valdemar and all your books (and Jody's and Larry's art) since the first came out. I am also 50something, redhaired, not thin, need glasses, and i DO happen to own a snow white horse with blue eyes who talks in my head- his name is "Therapy" for obvious reasons... Loooking over your site, I see we have a lot in common- I make dolls, do art, write lyrics, etc. Know better than to try to write novels- only so much time, and I already have too many irons in the fire. Plus I like my day-job (I'm an ER MD). I run a special girls' program and their latest project is wanting to make a home-movie based on Valdemar (I introduced one of the girls to Valdemar and it has spread like wildfire and become the latest rage in the group.. it's getting tough to keep track of who has which volume.) If you ever have a minute (okay, hour) free, check out our website at www.Equinarts.com it shows our horses, art, poems, etc. Since I'm supposed to ask a question, here it is: have you ever ridden? I know you love birds, but don't know your experience with horses... if you are ever in Florida come by and I'll put you up on Therapy- he is Tennessee Walker, very smooth gait- wonderful for those of us that are not so young any more. He'll even have full Heraldic regalia by then, though he stubbornly prefers to use a bit. Love your work- it has always brough a lot of joy to me, and I'm glad for the chance to keep passing it on. Keep up the good work A: I have ridden, but I haven't gotten actual riding lessons; it's under the heading of "one day, in my copious spare time".... When I was actually thinking about a horse, I was waffling between a Tennessee Walker and a Paso Fino, both of which are known for smooth gaits; I have since decided that since I don't have as much time as I'd like to give the birds, I would be insane to get into a horse. IF I ever get a riding animal (at this point, not a priority by any stretch of the imagination) it will be a mule; sensible, not at all likely to spook, and you can literally leave a mule for weeks at a time in his pasture, go out, throw a saddle on him, and ride him. Maybe not the most exciting mount in the world, but by far the smartest choice for someone like me.
Q: Ms. Lackey, First and foremost, thank you for your incredible, prolific, and absolutely addictive writing. Although, I must admit, I do miss the sleep that I used to get before I stayed up all night reading your novels! ;) I have a fascination for the 'reincarnated' heralds and companions - and I was wondering if Kellen (Savil's companion) might have been reincarnated as Kerowyn. Some of Kellen's line's seem similar to Kero's personality... Also - someone had suggested that Florian was Tashir - true? Thanks again for your time and your novels! P.S. As a female physician myself, I was incredibly impressed with Serpent's Shadow. Thanks for the time you spent on your research! A: Actually, neither Kellen nor Tashir have been seen in any other books (so far. you never know). Nor Florian either (yet). As for Serpent's Shadow, I wanted very much to be sure I got the medicine right. It's rather funny that I've been taken to task by the occasional critic that doesn't know anything at all about the history of medicine for the fact that Maya has such a difficult time---yes, there WERE female physicians from the late 1800s, even a specific school to teach them, but well into the start of WWI they had a very, very hard time even being allowed to practice at all in the UK and the US. Interestingly enough, it was much, much easier for them in France and Germany. As for the medicine itself, there's an absolutely fascinating and tiny museum in London, the Old Herb Garret and Operating Theater, that I deliberately hunted up when I went there for a research trip. It's in Southwark---at any rate, it's hard to find, and is the restored, actual Female Operating Theater from a very famous old hospital (St Thomas's Hospital) from the late 1800s. Quite chilling, actually. and altogether creepy. Here's the website, which wasn't up (except for how to get there!) when I did the research trip: http://www.thegarret.org.uk/ It is well worth a visit if you have any interest in turn of the century medicine at all, and the guides are very knowledgeable. Many of them are nurses and even physicians that act as guides and docents on their free time.
Q: Okay... I read all the Q&A's on Valdemar and the New Q&A's so you won't have any duplicate questions.. but here's a few that I have to ask. I'm rereading Winds of Fury, and there's this part where Stef takes Nyara and Skif aside and explains all the trials and tribulations that they're gonna get, amd Skif starts to see Stef as someone that he knew once upon a time, like a companion of a sort. The first thing that popped in my head is could Skif be a Medren reincarnation? I mean, it would explain the reason why Skif was all up on Elspeth (Van's spell for Ashkevron blood to recognize blood, seen in Firesong and Elspeth). Also, was it just coincidence or an example of your writing genius that the heralds of Van's time become the Companions in Elspeth's tumutuous time? I mean, there's Sayvil(Kero's), Jaysen(Daren's), and Tantris(Kris'). Well that's all I have right now. I want to thank you for creating such great novels that I never tire of reading from! A: Genius? (splutter, cough)Just making it up as I go along, I'm afraid! Though I will admit to recyling the Heralds of Van's time as Companion's of Selenay's time---I was curious to see who would notice. Skif, however, is not a reincarnation of Medren!
Q: Dear Misty, We love all of your valdemar books, and we were curious about whether there were shaych Companions and if there were, would Van come back as a shaych companion if he came back as a Companion? A: I must admit, the idea never occured to me. I haven't a clue!Of course, Vanyel is on such an extended vacation that I'm unlikely to get to him 'coming back' in my own lifetime!
Q: heya misty i have all the valdemar books (in hardcover) and have read them all over and over again My absolute fav is Vanyel. He's the best. I really enjoyed the short story " in the forest of sorrrows" that was in the sword of ice anthology, i didn't agree with the story "chance" though. you're telling me Vanyel would jump into bed with someone he just met, just because they're both shaych?? i don't think so. my questions are: 1) what happens to lifebonds after death?? When the herald opts to return as a herald or a companion does he/she lifebonded return as well? 2) do you plan on doing any stories/books on Stefen, Jisa and Treven after Vanyel's death? maybe involving Meke's daughter, the one who was Chosen (the asheveron clan is irresistable) 3) i understand that if i send a sase, you will send a signed bookplate, unfortunarely, i live in canada and can't do that, can i send cash(in US funds,of course) to cover the shipping cost and what would the shipping cost be?? (postal rates in canada and the US are different) i'm very sorry the lunatics of the world have harrassed you, i work with the public everyday and believe me, there are alot of fruit-cakes out there, i tend to have the attitude, "try it and i'll knock your block off" i look forward to reading your next book on the weaponsmaster, i haven't had a chance to get it get, i live in a very rural area, the nearest bookstore is an hour away (of course when i do get it, i'll be zombie for a week because i'll read til 2 am and then get up at 6 am to go work) thanks for listening A: 1) Sometimes lifebonded partners return together; sometimes they don't. That was why Laven Firestorm was lifebonded to his Companion, and was why his Companion was able to help him control his Gift. Usually when a set of lifebonded partners return, it's either as all human or all Companions, not a mix of the two.2) At the moment, I have so much stuff backlogged that I it will be four years before I make a decision on what is going to happen in the Valdemar saga after the Collegium Chronicles. 3) For bookplates, please do not send money, which is more of a hassel than you would believe. For starters, I have no idea what postage would be when converted into US money from canadian, and sending me canadian money is totally useless to me, since currency exchanges or banks will not convert anything that is less than five US dollars (and currency exchanges charge for the converstion). Send an IRC (International reply coupon) which will be available for the correct postage at your post office.
Q: I really enjoy your books (obviously or I wouldn't be a fan). I picked up By the Sword without realizing that it was part of a series and then sometime about a year later I grabbed one of the Owl books and noticed the timeline. I was a little surprised. Anyway, I have two questions. The first is about my impression of lifebonding. I see it as something that happens when the pair/trio's lives are to hectic for a normal relationship and that is why it is so rare. Is this view correct? Second, why was Lavan lifebonded to his companion? Thanks, A: Lifebonding happens when two (or, very rarely, more than two) people are so uniquely suited to each other that they enhance one anothers' abilities and balance one another's weaknesses in such a way that they boost each other rather than devouiring each other.Laven and his Companion were lifebonded because they complemented each other in that same way, and also because that was the only way that his Gift could be controlled.
Q: Monarch's Own Companion A lot of questions have come in about this. Most folks are just confused, others have insisted that Misty has made a horrible mistake. So one more time. A: There are four Companions that rotate through the job. They take vacations between tours of duty. The time spent on vacation depends on how horrible their death was. They are always Grove Born (They just appear--Poof ). They don't have mothers and fathers, and they are always stallions.This is set out in one of the very first chapters of Arrows of the Queen. Firebird 2002 Q: I have two questions...first, is Kellan female(Last Herald-Mage Series) or male (Sword of Ice story); and how to you pronounce Savil's/Sayvil's name? A: (How the hell am I supposed to keep track of all these minor characters????????) Savil is sah-vill Sayvil is say-vill. 2002 Q: I am 55 years old and have been an avid fan since the first issue of your Valdemar series. I have often wondered when you would write about the founding of the country. You have mentioned how it was founded in several of your books, but I feel it would merit a book (or more) on the trials that led up to the "King" leading his people and founding Valdemar. Also, the start of the whole Companion set up in the country could be elaborated. A: This is one of those cases where the legends are generally better than the reality. I probably won't write about those early years directly, for that reason. Q: First of all, I'd like to say that you really know how to put that touch into your books (I cried to the extreme for at least an hour when Kalira died in 'Brightly Burning'). Aside from that, I have two questions about Companions: 1: Do Heralds ever get annoyed by the constant chiming of their hooves? 2: Why weren't Companions originally created to be more powerful? Like, with wings and horns and stuff? I think Valdemar may have been a safer place. I absolutely love your books! By the way, I'm 11 and I live in New Jersey, in case you wanted to know who was reading your novels. Have a nice day A: I really need to start buying stock in Kleenex.... The chiming of Companion hooves tends to be pretty soft, and only happens on hard-surface roads, so it kind of moves into the background and is no more annoying than birdsong. (Then again, remember that I live in a house with 10 parrots, so....) Companions were created in the form of a regular horse precisely because a normal horse is not highly visible, in fact, it's about as 'visible' as a compact car in our society. If someone shows up with a white horse, well, it might just be a white horse (remember that Kantor conceals the color of his eyes in "Stolen Silver") and this enables Heralds to work "undercover." If they showed up with something with wings and horns, well, that would be pretty obvious.
For those non equestrian types out there. Gray horses are born in regular horse colors, bay, brown, black, pinto. Then over time the gray gene takes over and starts turning all the colored hair white. If the horse lives long enough, it will turn completely white. Some breeds of horses have a very high occurance of the gray gene, the famous dancing white stallions of the Spanish Riding School are one example.
So lets suppose that there are a couple of horse breeds in Valdemar that carry the gray gene. There would be lots of young gray horses, and lots of older white horses. How better to hide in plain sight that to become just another older, settled white horse? Q: First of all, this is not technically a question for Misty, just a personal note and a thankyou The thankyou is for some wonderful reading. I first stumbled on your book Arrows of the Queen about Talia when I was pretty young. My home life was pretty rotten with an alcoholic, abusive mother. I so identified with Talia and spent lots and lots of time dreaming for a Companion to come carry me off. *S* I thank you for the books and the daydreams that helped me through some pretty rotten times growing up. Now of course, years later I still love the books and have been introducing my 8 year old to fantasy. Your books are on the list to give him in a couple years (he's still a little young for them). Now here is my personal note. I found out just after Christmas that I'm expecting again. Already having two boys I really wanted a girl and my husband and I decided we just loved the name Kethry if she was going to be a girl. So we chose Kethry Lynn. At 20 weeks along I went in for a routine ultrasound to find, surprise...it's twins! And girls. We wracked our brains and could not come up with a name that sounded *right* with Kethry. My husband finally ventured that no name could sound right with Kethry except Tarma. So now the girls will be Tarma Roxanne for the firstborn (I think Tarma was older) and Kethry Lynn for the second born. And when they get old enough I will purchase two complete copies of the Tarma and Kethry series for the girls as gifts so they can see where their names came from. So thank you for the many hours of enjoyable reading and the lovely names. If you would like a copy of the birth announcement and have an address for fan letters (I am NOT asking for your personal address, but a place where fan mail is delivered) I'd be glad to send it along. However since I can't imagine the birth of my twins would greatly effect your life Q: I was just reading Lavan's story, and there's a Rolan as the companion to a monarch's own there too. If I calculate right and it's the same one as in Talia's stories, he's about 200 or perhaps 300 years? Is this correct? Ye Mothering Gods! Ok, given that he's grove born and doesn't seem to age (or is it he just has a longer life span than the regular companions?) does this mean Gwena is the same way? My other question is most companions, doesn't survive their herald's death, but although he obviously lives through his heralds' deaths, do they have some affect on him at all? Or is it although he works with those Monarch's Own through the years, he hasn't really chosen them but works with them? That idea came to mind when I was reading that moment when he chose Talia. Just how does it work with the Monarch's Own companion? Also, with the Grove Born, are they all seemingly ageless? A: It's the same Rolan but with a couple of other Grove-Born Companions between Lavan's time and Talia's. After all, everybody needs a vacation. The death of the Monarch's Own Herald does affect his/her Companion---the Grove Borns are analogous to an Archangel, so---well, how would the death of a mortal loved one affect an Archangel? They're rather more spirit than flesh, with one foot in each, and since they never have been mortal, obviously 'death' means a great deal less to them than it would to a Companion who's been a human.
Q: My daughter and I have been argueing about ShadowDancer and Sunsinger. In the Windrider song, they come forth to free Windrider and his Herald. My daughter thinks they were chosen Before they freed the Two. But I think that the compassion they felt for the imprisoned Herald and his Companion were what allowed them to be chosen. And possibly in the long run what allowed the curses they labored under to be broken in the end. (We assume they were choisen because you say so in one of your books). Is it your opinion (Since it may be a long while before they demand you write their story) that they were Chosen before or after Freeing Valdemar's Heir and Windrider? BTW. You are now the second of only two writers who I will buy in hardcover. Jayne Ann Krentz is still Number one. I am 40, the daughter I am arguing with is 20 and my 14 year old daughter asked me to tell you she loves Darien and thinks you should mention whether Elspeth has children yet!! A: Well, this time the parent wins the argument! Sunsinger and Shadowdancer freed the Heir before they were Chosen, not after---and it was indeed because they resisted temptation and selfish motives to do so that they were Chosen. And it was in part because they were Chosen that their curses were broken. And thank you for the compliment of buying us in hardcover! More about Darien is in the very early planning stages---and I think you'll find a mention or two of Elspeth's children and Selenay's twins in the Valdemar Companion that we are working on at this moment.
Q: I just read 'Brightly Burning', a newish Valdemar novel. Apparently the winged horse/companion/whatever on the crest of Valdemar is Windrider. That would make Darshae the Herald/heir. Ok, so in the song, where it describes windrider as 'wing-clipped by magic', is that literal? If one Companion had wings, why don't they all? If it is figurative and Windrider didn't really have wings, why does he have them on the arms of valdemar? What were Valdemar's arms before that story happened? Why isn't all this in a novel somewhere? I am ccing this to firebird arts who will hopefully relay question to Lackey. The song Windrider Unchained just hits an itchy spot on my curiosity nerve. A: This was in the days when Valdemar had Real Magic (as opposed to the period when only MindMagic was available) and the Heir was a Herald Mage. The winged horse was his magical Avatar (see the Tarma/Kethry novels for Combat By Avatar) rather than being a Companion. By controlling the and imprisoning the Avatar the Herald Mage was doubly bound. Q: One quick question: is Tantras also Tantris (Kris' Companion)? Just curious. A: One quick answer: Yup. Q: What's up with firecats? A: Firecats are the equivalent to Companions, although they are a lot more rare. Yes, they are reincarnated Karsite Sunpriests. Sons of the Sun in the past---before the religion turned rancid---always had a Firecat as an advisor and guide; the current Son of the Sun, Solaris, has one. Occasionally other pivotal personnell get one too---in this case Karel, the Valdemaran Ambassador has one. They can walk through walls---well, any cat can do that---travel across vast distances by taking a stroll across the Etherial Plane, create Gates between any two that permits others to travel across vast distances as well, speak mind-to-mind with anyone they choose, whether or not that person has Mindspeech. They have the usual fuck-it attitude of regular cats, the same disdain for fools, the same sense of humor. They look like flame-point Himalayans that are bigger than Maine Coons---twenty pounders are not uncommon. It is assumed that they have other magical abilities as well as those mentioned; just because they don't demonstrate them in public doesn't mean they don't have them. It's a fair bet that they can call up, banish, and protect others from the Abyssal Plane entities known as demons as well, although that has not been demonstrated (mostly because the Son of the Sun can do that for himself, thank you. No one has ever been able to kill a Firecat, although many have tried. And usually the Firecat manages to dispose of the would-be murderer by himself. They are always male, but that's probably because up until Solaris, there haven't been any female Sons of the Sun in historic times. Solaris was first seen with her Firecat following a period of solitary meditation and prayer during one of the many early crisises of her ascenscion---presumably she prayed to Vkandis for another sign that would make his favor obvious to those who hadn't seen the Miracle of the Coronation, and this was His reply. Solaris isn't talking any more than the Firecat is. Firecats first appear in the STORMS books, when Karal gets his.
Q: I LOVE your books. Especially the Bardic, and Heralds series'. Vanyel and 'Lendel, as well as Rune are my favorite characters. I have a couple of questions. My roomie and I keep arguing over the first. How do you pronounce Vanyel and Tylendel? Also, I know quite a few people who would love it if you wrote a book, or short story about Shadowdancer and Sunsinger. I know you said you have no plans for it, but thought I would mention it in any case. My final question is you brought Savil back as a Companion, do you have any plans to bring other characters back from that time-period as Companions? (Like Elspeth, Tantras, Jayson, or others?) Vanyel and Tylendel/Stephen are too well-known for that I guess, but...? A: It's VAN-yell and ti-LEN-dell. "Van" as in the automotive sort, and "ti" as in "timid". I really don't plan who to "bring back" as a Companion; it just sort of happens on its own. But Van and Steph won't be back; they're really enjoying Bermuda. Q: Dear Miss Misty, I've read quite a few anthologies (like the Sword of Ice and other stories) where writers get together and write about some aspects of Valdemar, how exactly do they get together to write these stories? could it be possible for a relatively unknown writer to join in and if he or she wishes to write on some aspect of Valdemar, how does he or she get permission from Miss Misty ? Oh and by the way where did Florian, the Companion in the "Winds" series go to? I know that's a lot of questions but thanks a lot for taking the time to read my enquires and God bless. And before I forget, you are one of the most amazing writers I've ever come across and I hope someday that I could be like you, doing your favourite thing and loving it ! Ah well, thanks again for reading my email ! A: Most of the professional anthologies are 'invitation only' and the invitation comes from the business-editor---in this case, Martin Greenberg. One sends an inquiry letter regarding a particular anthology or anthologies to see if it/they are still open (that is, if there are any slots left to fill) and what the requirements are. I'm out of the loop on that one; I just check to make sure that the stories are canonical (that is, they don't violate what's already been established) because I am the story editor, rather than the business editor.As for Florian, he's in Bermuda. Q: Dear Misty, Hello and thank you for whatever god decided to give you the writing talent! I stumbled on you books by accident, reading By the Sword first and finding the Vanyel series in my stepfathers library many years later. I've been addicted ever since. I have all of you books that I can get my hands on. My husband laughs at me when I see one of your books that I don't have yet. Trips to the bookstore for your work is a laugh riot for hm. ;) I was wondering though, in Arrow's Flight, Talia witnesses the creation of Elspeth's Companion, Gwena. My question is, why was Elspeth so exhausted afterwards? Did Rolan use some of Elspeth's mage energy to bring Gwena into the world? Thank you for 10 years of wonderful fantasy reading. Please, continue to make these lovely stories. A: Cause she was just a kid, and out way past her bedtime! Q: I was just wondering if you had any plans to extend the short story "Stolen Silver" in to a full length novel, and weather you were going to write on the founding of Valdmar? P.S. I think that your books are awesome! :) A: -- I really don't have any plans to write about the founding of Valdemar; I think it's best as a legend. I do eventually have plans to write Alberich's story, though, right after I get done with Skif's.
Q: Hello and thank you for whatever god decided to give you the writing talent! I stumbled on you books by accident, reading By the Sword first and finding the Vanyel series in my stepfathers library many years later. I've been addicted ever since. I have all of you books that I can get my hands on. My husband laughs at me when I see one of your books that I don't have yet. Trips to the bookstore for your work is a laugh riot for hm. ;) I was wondering though, in Arrow's Flight, Talia witnesses the creation of Elspeth's Companion, Gwena. My question is, why was Elspeth so exhausted afterwards? Did Rolan use some of Elspeth's mage energy to bring Gwena into the world? Thank you for 10 years of wonderful fantasy reading. Please, continue to make these lovely stories A: Cause she was just a kid, and out way past her bedtime! Q: Why are all the Gryphons based on Hawks and Eagles, and not Owls? I've been looking all over for the anthology with Stolen Silver, which one was it, and why has it disappeared? A: We didn't model any Gryphons on owls, because Urtho hadn't perfected the hawk-falcon-eagle forms to his liking before the war started. We only had one story in "Horse Fantastic" which was reprinted in one of the two Baen anthologies, I forget which. However, the way to get an anthology reprinted is to request it of the publisher, in this case, DAW books. If enough people ask for it, it will be reprinted. > Q: Does "Owlflight" begin a few months after the end of the mage-storms, or over a year and a half later? A: I told you sometimes I get things wrong. Q: I am no longer a kid but I enjoy your books anyway. I read the whole Valdemaran series and I notice a minor discrepancy. Kellan (Savil's companion) in Sword of Ice, page 218 we have Savil and Kellan having an lively mindspeech while she notices that HE is not unduly surprise of the hawkbrothers but in Magic Price Stef just barely missed being tramped by HER hooves. Am I seeing things or is my english as a second language??? A: Congratulations, you get a genuine No Prize for catching what the proofreaders didn't! Q: I have noticed in some of books in your Valdemar series hint at a link between companions souls and deceased Heralds. Am I reading too much into this? It seems to my mind that Savil, Vanyel's aunt is very like Sayvil a companion who shows up in the Mage Winds books... Is this an insight into the afterlife choice given to Heralds you've been hinting at? Thru words by (Ghost) Vanyel and (Vision) Kris? Or am I just seeing things that aren't there? BTW thank you for brightening up our lives and starting my addiction with my parrot children I now have 6 lg. parrots... a lot of work but soooo worth it. Thank You Both for existing! A:Like good ecologists, Valdemarans recycle. Companions (all but the Grove-born) are recycled Heralds. Enjoy your feathered family, but beware, they ARE like potato chips, it's hard to stop at one or two (or three, or four....) Q: Several friends and I have often wondered how Savil met the Hawkbrothers, and we were wishing Misty would write more about her. Do you think this will ever happen? 5/16/99 A: That would make a good short-story, so I probably will get around to it one of these days. Q: In "Arrows of the Queen", it mentions that sometimes the Monarch's Own Companion will Choose someone already Chosen i.e., a Herald or trainee. But what happens to that Herald's Companion? It's supposed to be a lifelong bond! I'm sure the answer is in the books somewhere but I've reached "Storm Warning " again and haven't come across it. Am I just missing it or hasn't this ever been revealed? Okay, I lied. Two questions. Is there a possibility of another anthology like "Sword of Ice"? I have a story I'd like to submit but no idea where. A: The "original" Companion never actually "Chose" the Monarch's Own in the first place, though there is no way for that Herald to realize this until AFTER s/he is Chosen by the Monarch's Own Companion. It's kind of like not knowing you were nearsighted until you get glasses. As for the "original," s/he either makes a real Choice or retires, depending on how much wear-and-tear has gone on in the interim. We have another anthology in the works, but DO NOT submit stories to me. They go through Marty Greenberg. I do not read unsolicited manuscripts of any kind---there's too much legal liability there. 2002 Q: I do wonder what the end of the thought was supposed to be in _Storm Warning_ when Karal thought "Altra! Isn't that the Son of the Sun who-" and then he fell asleep. Are we ever going to get a piece of closure for that? Are there clues that I'm missing for the answer? Could I please get thrown a bone or better yet half a steak for the answer? A: Well, there is more Karsite stuff on tap. Alberich's story, of course, plus a short story in the next Valdemar anthology (lead book for December 2003) by Nancy Asire called "Rulan and the Firecat". Q: I was just reading Lavan's story, and there's a Rolan as the companion to a monarch's own there too. If I calculate right and it's the same one as in Talia's stories, he's about 200 or perhaps 300 years? Is this correct? Ye Mothering Gods! Ok, given that he's grove born and doesn't seem to age (or is it he just has a longer life span than the regular companions?) does this mean Gwena is the same way? My other question is most companions, doesn't survive their herald's death, but although he obviously lives through his heralds' deaths, do they have some affect on him at all? Or is it although he works with those Monarch's Own through the years, he hasn't really chosen them but works with them? That idea came to mind when I was reading that moment when he chose Talia. Just how does it work with the Monarch's Own companion? Also, with the Grove Born, are they all seemingly ageless? A: It's the same Rolan but with a couple of other Grove-Born Companions between Lavan's time and Talia's. After all, everybody needs a vacation. The death of the Monarch's Own Herald does affect his/her Companion---the Grove Borns are analogous to an Archangel, so---well, how would the death of a mortal loved one affect an Archangel? They're rather more spirit than flesh, with one foot in each, and since they never have been mortal, obviously 'death' means a great deal less to them than it would to a Companion who's been a human.
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