The Blade Itself

The notorious barbarian Logen Ninefingers has finally run out of luck. He's about to become a dead barbarian, leaving behind nothing but terrible music, deceased pals, and a ton of contented foes since he's been involved in one quarrel too many.

Honorable Man The dashing officer and archetypal egotist Captain Jezal dan Luthar dreams of fame in the fencing circle and has nothing more risky in mind than to run from his companions while they are playing cards. However, conflict is on the horizon, and in the icy North, fighters adhere to much more brutal regulations during combat.

Glokta, the former inquisitor who became a torturer after becoming crippled, would do everything to see Jezal sent home in a box. Glokta despises everyone, however, as eliminating treachery from the Union one confession at a time provides little opportunity for camaraderie. If he can survive long enough to follow his most recent trail of corpses, it could lead directly to the corrupt core of the government.

Bayaz, enter the wizard. He may be the First of the Magi, a fantastic hoax, or just a bald old guy with a nasty temper and a pitiful helper, but any way, he's going to make life much worse for Logen, Jezal, and Glokta.

There are murderous plots that come to light, grudges that need to be paid, and a razor-thin line separating the good guy from the bad guy.