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This anthology contains 8 short stories. All these stories are set after the collapse of modern technical society. Most of these stories are set in an alternate future about 100 years in the future, where people use horses, spinning wheels, bows and arrows. This future primitive fiction is set in a time that does not have technology advanced beyond use of wooden tools, equipment, and structures. Some are set in the Southwestern United States. Other stories are set in India, Egypt, and one in Korea. In this future world, librarians have access to information in old books. Librarians have seized much of the political power.
The first story is Kalapati's Tool. Kalapati's Tool is set in California after the events of Feeling a Way. Kalapati, the independent archer, takes on a task for the San Jose Librarian. She must rescue a group of adults and children. She accompanies a woman to the coast and determines if women and children need her help. She will use her wits and the authority she can assert to enforce her will.
Future's Fate is set in California, and involves another mission for the librarians. A graduate student teams up with a library scout. They must travel to find and disable a long hidden weapon from before the Collapse. They are being chased by dangerous criminals. This story is set around the time of Feeling a Way.
Zuni Stash is set in Pecos, New Mexico. Mona and her assistant Susanna find themselves thrust into a search for treasure. They must decrypt ancient maps and messages to lay their hands on a long-buried cache of cultural artifacts and valuables. Mona translates the languages of Zuni with her expertise in Native languages of the Southwest. This story is set before the events of In the Horde's Way.
War Tools is set in Korea. A female samurai travels from Japan to investigate strange happenings in the Korea royal court. She must navigate the cultural differences and avoid causing an international incident. This story is set after the events of Pratima's Forbidden Book. Chizuko had earlier traveled to India and helped Pratima in that book.
Out of the Sands is set in Egypt. Egypt has risen after the Collapse, and the reopened Bibliotheka Alexandrina has hired Aaliyah to survey the archaeological riches of the nation. Hiring an aerialist, Sunil, recommended by the library seems simple for Aaleyah's mapping of the pyramids until they are aloft and an attack causes all manner of trouble for the pair. Before Aaliyah can make her way back to her ministry of antiquities she'll find help from a desert patriarch and face the fact that something quite nefarious is afoot with the royal house of Haker. Once on the track across the desert sands, Sunil uncovers within himself something he never realized he was capable of. Joined by Chike, a librarian scout, Sunil and Aaleyah are pulled into an adventure none had foreseen. Both Aaleyah's knife, a Kard antique, and Chike's sword will flash and defend the royal house in this post-apocalyptic setting. Sunil will stand loyal for the King, the artifacts of the past, and the Bibliotheka Alexandrina. Win or lose, the trio must cross hundreds of kilometers to save the past and guide the future.
Burning Library is set in the Protected Books. World civilization as we know it has ended, not with an apocalyptic bang but with an insidious virus. In a future where technology is lost, libraries have taken power. Scouts enforce the library rules and keep the peace. Go on the dangerous journey with librarians. In this short story libraries in California are providing a book for those in New Mexico. Readers of A Dangerous Way may recognize the events that led up to this adventure. A library courier has an important mission for the Southwest in this future world with no modern technology. Lindy must deliver the book against impossible odds. It falls on her to save the future of the Southwest.
Lakisha Decides is a story that is part of Asante's Gullah Journey. Asante's Gullah Journey is set in the Carolinas of the future United States where Gullah people have power and live free of interference by others. Lakisha is a young girl who has been brought to a library and has become involved in the defense of the library against attackers. She rises to the occasion, demonstrating bravery and brains. This story is set before the time of Gullah Girl in the Bayou.
Pratima's Engines is set in India. Pratima goes on an undercover mission for the library. Pratima, a new investigator for the libraries, must disguise herself as an expert, and walk into a heavily armed compound to discover the dangerous plans afoot to challenge the leaders of India. Pratima was introduced in the book Pratima's Forbidden book. Her adventures are in Northern India. This story is set after Pratima's Forbidden Book, and before the After the Collapse books.
