A champion fencer accidentally kills an opponent in a match. Disgraced, he is blackballed from the fencing community, until a mysterious stranger saves his life one night from a gang of muggers. He soon finds himself caught up in the world of underground illegal swordfights, where combatants fight to the death.

The glory and savagery of 17th century France is captured in explicit detail as swords cling, villains get their just rewards and beautiful women are bedded.