Tides Elba: A Tale of the Black Company" is the first of five intercalary short stories of the Black Company series written by Glen Cook. Chronologically, it is set between the novel The Black Company and the short story "Smelling Danger".

The Annalist for the events is Croaker, who records the details of his band of wisecracking cutthroats after they experience peace for the first time since the epic Battle of Charm. They have been garrisoned in a civilized city, but the arrival of their most hated rival with a cryptic mission from their empress to kidnap a mysterious woman promises intrigue and danger.