This sixteenth anthology of short stories set in the beloved Valdemar universe features tales by debut and established authors and a brand-new story from Lackey herself. The Heralds of Valdemar are the kingdom's ancient order of protectors. They are drawn from all across the land, from all walks of life, and at all ages--and all are Gifted with abilities beyond those of normal men and women. They are Mindspeakers, FarSeers, Empaths, ForeSeers, Firestarters, FarSpeakers, and more. These inborn talents--combined with training as emissaries, spies, judges, diplomats, scouts, counselors, warriors, and more--make them indispensable to their monarch and realm. Sought and Chosen by mysterious horse-like Companions, they are bonded for life to these telepathic, enigmatic creatures. The Heralds of Valdemar and their Companions ride circuit throughout the kingdom, protecting the peace and, when necessary, defending their land and monarch. Table of Contents: "Tricks And Traps," Jennifer Brozek - "A Brother’s Promise," Kristin Schwengel - "Causing Trouble," Dylan Birtolo - "All Around the Bell Tower," Stephanie Shaver - "Reminiscent," Paige L. Christie - "Life’s Little Pranks," Ron Collins - "Fool’s Week," Anthea Sharp - "The Companion Sting," Charlotte E. English - "Love, Nothing More, Nothing Less," Brigid Collins - "A Cry of Hounds," Elisabeth Waters - "Fowl Play," Fiona Patton - "The Boy Who Cried Kidnap," Dayle A. Dermatis - "Trap Spell," Louisa Swann - "One Trick Pony," Diana Paxson - "Companion’s Lesson," Brenda Cooper - "A Bouquet of Gifts, or The Culinary Adventures of Rork," Michele Lang - "Of Ghosts and Stones and Snow," Phaedra Weldon - "Pranks For the Memories," Dee Shull - Shin’a’inagins, novella by Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon Praise for the Valdemar anthologies "New readers will have no trouble understanding the world and its characters. The strength of the anthology comes in the unity and flow of the stories as each one builds subtly toward a gentle, thoughtful point with a perfect blend of emotion and intrigue ." — Publishers Weekly (starred) "Even occasional visitors to Valdemar or readers of Lackey’s recent foundation novel Beyond will enjoy the trip to this popular world ." — Library Journal “Fans of Lackey’s epic Valdemar series will devour this superb anthology. Of the thirteen stories included, there is no weak link—an attribute exceedingly rare in collections of this sort. Highly recommended .” —The Barnes & Noble Review  “ Exceedingly well done , it helps keep readers unconfused while wandering the enormous fictional terrain the Valdemar oeuvre covers.” — Booklist “Each story brings unique ideas that carry on the fantastical elements from the world created by Lackey. Fans new and old will step into a literary world that’s unlike any other and will be sucked into tales that will take them on wondrous journeys.” —RT Reviews “ Shenanigans is filled with fun little adventures that are quick reads. The mix of continued character development in the various mini-series, along with the one-and-done stories, makes for a nice assortment of stories that just add depth to Lackey's world.” —Game Vortex 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 a licensed wild bird rehabilitator. Tricks and Traps   Jennifer Brozek The two hertasi watched the courier Change-Child with anticipation as they went about their chores of cleaning up the campsite. Tersen stifled a giggle as Kitha shena Tale’sedrin reached for her boots. Serta gave him a look, but he was too young to care. Forewarned, Kitha looked into each boot before she put it on. A boiled egg rolled out of the second one.   She held it up and looked at the hertasi .   Hadara, the large gryphon Lifebonded to Kitha, spoke for her, “A boiled egg in my boot? Rrrrreally?”   Tersen erupted in laughter. “Funny, yes? Raw would have been mean.”   “And wasteful,” Serta added as she plucked the egg from Kitha’s hand. “At least now we can still eat it.”   Kitha shook her head and whistled in annoyance. Caught in a Mage Storm, Kitha, once of the Dhorisha Plains, had been melded with a hawk within a Change Circle. She was now part human, part bird, and no longer able to speak. Instead of hair, her head was covered in the mottled feathers of a young red-tailed hawk from brow to neck. The left side of her face from cheekbone to brow had the feathered face and golden eye of a bird. Her right half was of a lovely young woman with a green eye the Tale’sedrin was famous for. Her nose and mouth were a blend of beak and lip. These, and other internal changes, prevented her from speaking.   She had been rescued from the Pelagirs Forest by Hadara, who had heard her distress call in Animal Mindspeech. Somehow, Kitha and Hadara had Lifebonded at that first mind-touch. Through their bond, Hadara,