Young Lorens van Norreys must save his family legacy from Nazi invasion in this thrilling series opener from the New York Times\-bestselling author. The House of Norreys—those merchants of gems for over three hundred years—faces its greatest crisis the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The old Jonkheer lay dying in his bed when he called his grandson to be with him in the last hours of his life, and at this time, young Lorens van Norreys is entrusted with the future of Norreys. That future lies in the legendary Flower of Orange, a priceless baroque necklace that the Nazi scavengers burn to possess. It is up to Lorens to save the necklace and the House of Norreys. With the first encounter with the Nazi invaders, Lorens faces his challenge as The Sword Is Drawn.

"Intrigue runs high and suspense cloaks all" in a fantasy adventure of pirates and Nazis from the New York Times-bestselling author and SFWA Grand Master (Kirkus Reviews). V-E Day and V-J Day are in the past, but the war is not over. Not for Lorens van Norreys, the new master of the House of Norreys, not as long as Nazi criminals are still at large. And not for Lawrence Kane and Sam Marusaki, two former OSS men, not as long as there are Americans still missing in action. The three of them quickly become entangled in a mystery—Norreys as he searches for a lost treasure, and Lawrence and Marusaki as they search for a lost American flyer. Together they face cutthroat pirates in the thousand islands of Indonesia, then they battle an unknown foe on an island known as the Forbidden Place, an uncharted landfill mentioned only in legends and from which, it's said, not one has ever returned alive.

Few authors have achieved such renown as World Fantasy Life Achievement honoree and Grand Master by the Science Fiction Writers of America, Andre Norton. With the love of readers and the praise of critics, Norton's books have sold millions of copies worldwide. The House of Norreys has moved to America, and although the players have changed, the game is the same: gems, espionage, and adventure. Young Quinn Anders turns to Lorens van Norreys for help in finding out who killed his brother and why his brother was killed? What did the legendary Bishop's Menie have to do with his brother's death? Who had the remaining 12 statues in the set of 13 medieval knights and their leader, the Bishop-Prince Odacar? With Norreys aid but not his blessing, Anders sets out for the Netherlands on his quest for justice, and from the moment he land at the airport, he finds himself AT SWORDS' POINT. “A superb storyteller with a narrative pace all her own.” – New York Times “The Grande Dame of science fiction.” – Life Magazine