Crown of Renewal

by Elizabeth Moon

  “You know where we are going,” she said to the horse. An ear flicked back at her. She knew it meant yes. “Do I—is there something I need to do there?”

  Another ear flick. Dorrin’s heart lifted. Here was the change she wanted, a new adventure, a challenge—and as if the horse understood that, it surged into a gallop.

  For Sgt. Nicholas M. Dickhut, killed in action, Afghanistan, a long-time reader of the Paks books, and for all the other readers, who have made this journey both possible and worthwhile

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  It may seem odd to thank a bicycle shop for help on a book that has no bicycles in it (not even one!), but sustaining the writer is part of the help needed to keep a series going. In this case, the good advice and service of University Cyclery in Austin, Texas, enabled this writer to recover physically and regain the endurance necessary for those weeks of very long days at the computer. So thanks, guys. As usual, David R. Watson supplied important information and suggestions for more sources on ships and sailing appropriate to this world and period. The fellowship of musicians in St. David’s music program provided more musical and spiritual support. Jenny Meadows helped me untangle a particularly knotted section with wise advice. The denizens of the Paksworld blog (www.paksworld.com/blog) helped out repeatedly by looking up minor details in previous books for me and making very interesting comments that pushed me to think twice (or more) about situations and characters. Both my agent, Joshua Bilmes, and my editor, Anne Groell, offered sound advice and assistance in the last revision process. And, of course, this book rests on the help of all who helped with previous books in this storyuniverse, all the way back to those first months in 1982 when I started Sheepfarmer’s Daughter and a few friends clamored for more. Thank you all (and as always, mistakes are all my fault, not that of any helpers).

  BY ELIZABETH MOON

  THE DEED OF PAKSENARRION

  Sheepfarmer’s Daughter

  Divided Allegiance

  Oath of Gold

  PALADIN’S LEGACY

  Oath of Fealty*

  Kings of the North*

  Echoes of Betrayal*

  Limits of Power*

  Crown of Renewal*

  THE LEGACY OF GIRD

  Surrender None

  Liar’s Oath

  VATTA’S WAR

  Trading in Danger*

  Marque and Reprisal*

  Engaging the Enemy*

  Command Decision*

  Victory Conditions*

  PLANET PIRATES (WITH ANNE MCCAFFREY)

  Sassinak

  Generation Warriors

  Remnant Population*

  THE SERRANO LEGACY

  Hunting Party

  Sporting Chance

  Winning Colors

  Once a Hero

  Rules of Engagement

  Change of Command

  Against the Odds

  The Speed of Dark*

  SHORT-FICTION COLLECTIONS

  Lunar Activity

  Phases

  * * *

  *Published by Del Rey Books

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Former Marine ELIZABETH MOON is the author of many novels, including Echoes of Betrayal, Kings of the North, Oath of Fealty, the Deed of Paksenarrion trilogy, Victory Conditions, Command Decision, Engaging the Enemy, Marque and Reprisal, Trading in Danger, the Nebula Award winner The Speed of Dark, and Remnant Population, a Hugo Award finalist. After earning a degree in history from Rice University, Moon went on to obtain a degree in biology from the University of Texas, Austin. She lives in Florence, Texas.