The Siege of Faltara

Ronald Frederick is an agent of Empire. His assignment: bring the peaceful planet of Fillippi to revolution. For five years he has sweated out the secrets that keep the ruthless Contortus family entrenched as dictators of Fillippi. He has made some progress: He has created an antidote to the slave drug menoma, which wipes men's minds clear of all but loyalty to their masters. He has recruited determined followers. And he has found one man brave enough to challenge the power of the Contorti in the bizarre ordeal by combat that is Fillippi's traditional method of choosing a ruler. But the Contorti have always been invincible in battle - and no one with the secret of that power has ever left the Contortus palace alive.
Now time is running out; the dueling arena on the island of Faltara is ready and the Contorti have begun The Siege of Faltara.