Quite a few of the short stories are set in the Tortallan Universe, and some are previously published in other anthologies, such as Elder Brother, Huntress, Student of Ostriches, and Time of Proving. The book also includes other books set in the universe such as The Hidden Girl (a spin-off of Elder Brother), Nawat, Lost, and The Dragon's Tale, as well as non-Tortallan short stories Mimic and Plain Magic, and the contemporary, non-fantasy story Testing, drawn on Pierce's own experiences as a house mother in a group home for teenage girls.