Born to a harsh world, we Jokka have evolved three sexes to survive: neuter, male and female. Twice in our lives we may change from one to another. A change we accept with grace... or resignation. It was our way. ...until one female defied all tradition: Dlane Ashoi-anadi, revolutionary, intentionally childless, runaway. This is not her story. This is mine. I am Thenet Rena-eperu, female-guardian, voice of orthodoxy... and Dlane's first and dearest companion. This is the tale of how we changed each other... and how that changed everything."

For the Ai-Naidar, a species of slim, gracile aliens, caste and tradition are not the shackles that imprison the spirit but the silences that make sense of the music of their lives. The Aphorisms of Kherishdar collects 25 short tales about what it is to have an Ai-Naidari soul: to find comfort in tradition, law and structure; to revere interdependence over individualism; to know one's place... to always have one. Also includes 5 full-color painted illustrations.

Ensign Taylitha Basil wasn't sure what to expect when her ship dropped her off at the officer training retreat at Quickwater Preserve. A hike up the mountain? She's not much of a hiker. A trip down it in a canoe? Even worse, she's not a great swimmer. An obnoxious peer who put himself in charge? An and Bast preserve her. But all of that seems manageable when she meets Alysha Forrest, one of the Diamondwing's ensigns. In years to come they would serve together on the Stardancer as an unbeatable command team. Here, then, is the story of how they met and forged their relationship during a...