The Belly of the Bow by K.J. Parker

Bardas Loredan, no longer fencer-at-law, attempts to make a living as a bowyer. Unfortunately, both his relatives, the Bank, and the Foundation are about to thoroughly stymie him. I didn’t find this quite as engaging as Colours in the Steel , the first in the Fencer trilogy, but it was still an enjoyable read. Though reacquainted with most of the characters, one or two are replaced by new ones,…