Front Matter

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events or locales is purely coincidental.

© 2021 by Diane Morrison

http://www.dianemorrisonfiction.com

Aradia Publishing

5583 Silver Star Rd.

Vernon, BC Canada V1B 3P7

Cover Art: “A Few Good Elves” copyright © 2021 by Cayotica. All rights reserved.

Cover Design: Diane Morrison

Interior Design: C.L. Cannon, Fiction-Atlas Press Ltd.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, website, or journal.

Printed in Canada and the United States of America.

National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Morrison, Diane 1975—

                A Few Good Elves / Diane Morrison

Novel

Ebook ISBN 978-1-9995757-5-5

Hardcover ISBN 978-1-9995757-4-8

Paperback ISBN 978-1-9995757-3-1

1. Title 2. Novels 3. Science fiction, Canadian 4. Science fiction, Military 5. Fantasy fiction, Canadian 6. Fantasy fiction, Military 7. Science fantasy 9. Fantasy Adventure

Acknowledgements

No writer creates a story alone, and I have had more help than most. My thanks go out to:

The members of my D&D and Pathfinder campaigns for helping me spend many happy hours playing the games that inspired this story.

The members of the Spelljammer fan community, who supported my project when it was still in its fanfic infancy. In particular, I’d like to thank: Adam “Night Druid” Miller, David “Big Mac” Shepherd; and also, Steven “Silverblade the Enchanter” James and Aaron Siddall for their inspirational art, without which Known Space would not live as vividly it does.

The writers in my writer’s community, especially my local NaNoWriMo group, my SFWA writer friends, and the World Anvil community. Thank you so much for all your support!

Cat Rambo, former president of the SFWA, Nebula and World Fantasy award winner, and above all, a good friend, for encouraging me to reach, even when I wasn’t sure I was worthy.

Janet Forbes and Dimitris Havaldis, creators of World Anvil, who have not only created the best system I’ve ever found for keeping track of my universe, but who have also been invaluable in their support, and in creating and sustaining the nicest community on the internet.

Above all, Jamie Field, my partner and editor, who is not afraid to tell me when I suck because he loves me.

I would also be remiss if I did not thank Patrick O’Brian for teaching me about sailors and nautical matters, David Weber for demonstrating how to think about space navy tactics and politics, and Lois McMaster Bujold, for showing me how to write a space opera with real feelings.

See you in the stars!

Dedication

For Erin: 

Husband, best friend, and co-creator of this Universe.

Through your belief in me, I learned to believe in myself.

Thank you for that gift.