From the godfather of Grimdark himself, a riveting addition to the classic Black Company series that has enlisted millions of readers and inspired generations of writers. This long-awaited collection, following our favorite group of hard-bitten mercenaries, includes two brand-new stories!

On the run with the prophesized reincarnation of the White Rose, the Black Company's misadventures along the way are recorded by the company annalist, Croaker, as they play cat-and-mouse with the powerful sorceress known simply as The Lady.

Published together for the first time, this volume collects all nine stories set in the years between the conclusion of events in Shadows Linger and the beginning of The White Rose. Seven have appeared in various anthologies and magazines over the last decade-and-a-half, while the novelettes “Sorrows” and “Queen’s Bridge,” are original to this collection.

“One of the original entries into grimdark, Glen Cook presents a dark world of malignant gods playing games of chess with human pawns … and makes us scramble, struggle, and banter alongside the entire platoon.” ―Grimdark Magazine