The Saddle and the Sleuth -- a new Commonwealth novella

A re-released SF novella, properly filed at last in the universe where it belongs:
The Commonwealth

Writers Exchange has just released THE SADDLE AND THE SLEUTH, a novella set during the Downfall period of the Commonwealth Universe's pre-history.


On a remote colony world, the daughter of the Talon, the defender of the people, takes over her father's mask and identity. By day, she pretends to be a featherhead, concerned with nothing but fashion, dancing, and society. By night, she rides a massive Nightskimmer through the moonlight, protecting her people from alien invaders, and making everyone believe the Talon is still among them.

At the same time, an investigator comes to the colony in search of the Set'ri, to stop them from hastening the disintegration of the galactic civilization. Disguised as a bureaucrat tangled in politics, he leads his crack troops into the jungles of an alien world at night, seeking the enemy, and trying to track down a legend who may be the key to gaining the cooperation of the people he is determined to save.

Can the two work together for the sake of the future, or will their necessary deceptions push them apart forever?