Introduction / by Gardner Dozois The best man wins / by K. J. Parker His father's sword / by Robin Hobb The hidden girl / by Ken Liu The sword of destiny / by Matthew Hughes "I am a handsome man," said Apollo Crow / by Kate Elliott The triumph of virtue / by Walter Jon Williams The mocking tower / by Daniel Abraham Hrunting / by C. J. Cherryh A long, cold trail / by Garth Nix When I was a highwayman / by Ellen Kushner The smoke of gold is glory / by Scott Lynch The colgrid conundrum / by Rich Larson The king's evil / by Elizabeth Bear Waterfalling / by Lavie Tidhar The sword tyraste / by Cecelia Holland The sons of the dragon / by George R. R. Martin