Warriors

From George R. R. Martin’s Introduction to *Warriors:
“People have been telling stories about warriors for as long as they have been telling stories. Since Homer first sang the wrath of Achilles and the ancient Sumerians set down their tales of Gilgamesh, warriors, soldiers, and fighters have fascinated us; they are a part of every culture, every literary tradition, every genre. All Quiet on the Western Front, From Here to Eternity, and The Red Badge of Courage *have become part of our literary canon, taught in classrooms all around the country and the world. Our contributors make up an all-star lineup of award-winning and bestselling writers, representing a dozen different publishers and as many genres. We asked each of them for the same thing—a story about a warrior. Some chose to write in the genre they’re best known for. Some decided to try something different. You will find warriors of every shape, size, and color in these pages, warriors from every epoch of human history, from yesterday and today and tomorrow, and from worlds that never were. Some of the stories will make you sad, some will make you laugh, and many will keep you on the edge of your seat.”
Included are a long novella from the world of Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, a new tale of Lord John by Diana Gabaldon, and an epic of humanity at bay by David Weber. Also present are original tales by David Ball, Peter S. Beagle, Lawrence Block, Gardner Dozois, Joe Haldeman, Robin Hobb, Cecelia Holland, Joe R. Lansdale, David Morrell, Naomi Novik, James Rollins, Steven Saylor, Robert Silverberg, S.M. Stirling, Carrie Vaughn, Howard Waldrop, and Tad Williams.
Many of these writers are bestsellers. All of them are storytellers of the highest quality. Together they make a volume of unforgettable reading.
Contents
11 • Introduction: Stories from the Spinner Rack • essay by George R. R. Martin
21 • The King of Norway • novelette by Cecelia Holland
53 • Forever Bound • [Forever War] • novelette by Joe Haldeman
85 • The Triumph • novelette by Megan Lindholm [as by Robin Hobb ]
119 • Clean Slate • [Kitty Tolliver] • novelette by Lawrence Block
145 • And Ministers of Grace • novelette by Tad Williams
177 • Soldierin' • novelette by Joe R. Lansdale
201 • Dirae • novelette by Peter S. Beagle
225 • The Custom of the Army • [Lord John Grey] • novella by Diana Gabaldon
287 • Seven Years from Home • novelette by Naomi Novik
321 • The Eagle and the Rabbit • novelette by Steven Saylor
351 • The Pit • novelette by James Clemens [as by James Rollins ]
377 • Out of the Dark • novella by David Weber
457 • The Girls from Avenger • novelette by Carrie Vaughn
489 • Ancient Ways • [Emberverse II] • novelette by S. M. Stirling
521 • Ninieslando • novelette by Howard Waldrop
543 • Recidivist • shortstory by Gardner Dozois
561 • My Name is Legion • novelette by David Morrell
589 • Defenders of the Frontier • novelette by Robert Silverberg
619 • The Scroll • novelette by David Ball
649 • The Mystery Knight: A Tale of the Seven Kingdoms • [Dunk and Egg • 3] • novella by George R. R. Martin