Sharps

After 40 years of war, the nations of Permia and Scheria have finally arranged a truce and a celebratory fencing tournament to showcase a sport popular in both nations. The Scherian team consists of a former fencing champion, the youngest son of a famous Scherian general, an accidental murderer, a female fencing expert, and their coach, the head of the Fencers' Guild. As they cross into formerly enemy territory, bizarre events, near mishaps, logistical nightmares, and the last-minute addition of a "political" officer to handle diplomatic matters cause the fencers to question the real purpose of their tour. The author of the "Engineer Trilogy" (Devices and Desires: Evil for Evil; The Escapement) portrays a group of mismatched individuals, united only by their swordsmanship, as they grapple with the murky worlds of international politics, diplomatic intrigue, espionage, and potential betrayal.