Available in the U.S. for the first time, ehre is the second volume in the exceptional Legends of the Riftwar series from “a master storyteller who weaves exciting, sweeping epic tales” (SF Site)

Durine, Kethold, and Pirojil are mercenaries who have spent 20 years fighting other people's battles, defeating the Tsurani and the Bugs and the goblins. Yet now it seems, there are no more enemies to vanquish, leaving them with a few months of welcomed garrison duty as the Riftwar rages on west in Crydee. When the trio are ordered to accompany a lady and her husband safely to the city of LaMut, it looks like an easy-even cushy-assignment. But in Midkemia, nothing is that simple. . . .

In Midkemia, there are no easy roads . . .

For twenty years the mercenaries Durine, Kethol, and Pirojil have fought other people's battles. Having already defeated the Tsurani, the Bugs, and the goblins, it seems there are no more enemies for them to vanquish—even as the Riftwar rages on in the west. What lies ahead for the able trio are a few welcomed months of restful garrison duty.

When ordered to accompany the promiscuous Lady Mondegreen, her aging husband, and her current lover to a summit in the city of LaMut, the Three Swords willingly comply, expecting an uncomplicated and undemanding assignment. But nothing is straightforward in this land of violence and treachery. And when the fury of a winter's storm traps them inside a castle teeming with ambitious, plotting lords and ladies, the mercenaries suddenly find themselves with a series of cold-blooded murders to solve . . . and the political future of Midkemia resting in their hands.