A brief word from the characters: We seem to have a failure to communicate here. Hey, it’s okay with us that *Chicks in Chainmail* was so popular, and reached Number 3 on the *Locus* bestseller list, and everybody wanted more, please. But people, you need to take us sword-swinging amazons a little more seriously. After all, you think it’s a picnic wearing a cold brass brassiere (let alone finding the right size)? You think it’s a piece of cake keeping those chainmail accessories from rusting when it rains? You think it’s a walk in the park besieging a city when you’ve got PMS? Think again, you wimpy noncombatants! Sure, you’re entitled to a laugh to two. Hey, we like a good joke as much as the next amazon. But hard experience has taught us that swordswomen don’t get no respect. So, while you’re chuckling, show some respect. You can start by buying this book. You were going to buy the book, weren’t you? Pardon us a moment…have to wash the blood stains off these swords before they set… 4 • No Pain, No Gain • [Ladies’ Aid & Armor Society • 2] • (1998) • short story by Elizabeth Moon 24 • Slue-Foot Sue and the Witch in the Woods • (1998) • short story by Laura Frankos 32 • A Young Swordswoman’s Garden Primer • (1998) • short story by Sarah Zettel 48 • The Old Fire • (1998) • short story by Jody Lynn Nye 65 • Like No Business I Know • (1998) • novelette by Mark Bourne 92 • A Bone to Pick • [Vassilisa • 1] • (1998) • short story by Keith R. A. DeCandido and Marina Frants 109 • The Attack of the Avenging Virgins (as told by one of the Valiant Vanquished) • (1998) • short story by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough 129 • Oh, Sweet Goodnight! • (1998) • short story by Christina Briley and Lawrence Watt-Evans [as by Walter Vance Awsten and Christina Briley] 145 • A Bitch in Time • [Lineman • 1] • (1998) • short story by Doranna Durgin 162 • Don’t You Want to Be Beautiful? • (1998) • short story by Laura Anne Gilman 171 • A Night with the Girls • [Sun Wolf and Starhawk] • (1998) • novelette by Barbara Hambly 196 • A Quiet Knight’s Reading • (1998) • short story by Steven Piziks 204 • Armor Propre • [Terion & Feric • 2] • (1998) • short story by Janet Stirling and S. M. Stirling [as by Jan Stirling and S. M. Stirling] 222 • A Big Hand for the Little Lady • (1998) • short story by Esther M. Friesner 237 • Blade Runner • [Hallah Iron-Thighs] • (1998) • short story by K. D. Wentworth 253 • Keeping Up Appearances • (1998) • short story by Lawrence Watt-Evans 268 • La Différence • (1998) • short story by Harry Turtledove 279 • Tales from the Slushpile • [Riva Konneva] • (1998) • novelette by Margaret Ball 302 • Epilogue: Yes, We Did Say Chicks! • (1998) • short fiction by Adam-Troy Castro