A Coward in Good Standing

Marta Bellini has fought forty-seven duels and won every one of them without ever crossing blades. She wins with forged letters, planted rumours, and brandy relabelled as poison, because swords terrify her. When the king of Alvara dies mid-sentence and the crown must be settled by champions, Marta is hired to fight the greatest swordsman alive — a giant baker who is trying just as hard to lose. Their disgrace triggers three ancient ordeals, and the last one is the truth.