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.