Valdemar universe. Heralds of Valdemar

Talia, a runaway Holdgirl, is chosen to become a trainee herald in the queen's elite guard and to care for young Princess Elspeth, heir to the throne. The sequels are Arrow's Flight (1987) and Arrow's Fall (1988). The author's Last Herald Mage series (Magic's Pawn, 1989; Magic's Price, 1990; and Magic's Promise, 1990), and her Mage Winds trilogy (Winds of Fate, 1991; Winds of Change, 1992; and Winds of Fury, 1993) are set in the same world. The Black...

Talia, Herald to the Queen of Valdemar, travels to a neighboring realm to investigate a prince's proposal to marry the Queen's heir, but discovers an evil plot to destroy Valdemar.

Skif, an orphan who is forced to sleep on the kitchen floor of his uncle's inn, has learned how to sneak into the castles of the upper class by dressing as a page so that he can steal enough food and drink to survive, but when he meets Deek, he decides to join his gang of pickpockets and start earning his living on the streets.

Alberich, formerly of Karse and now a herald of Valdemar, has survived the Tedrel War only to find himself cast in the role of protector to the new young Queen Selenay. Now he has to protect her from the political maneuvering of courtiers and nobles who will try to force her into a marriage to control her.