> I've never had troubles associated with Vlad because of one of the >main >reasons I like him. While Vlad had a unique position as both a Easterner >and a Dragerean, most of his Bad-assery comes from him, not because he >picked up a powerful weapon (like Morrolan and Aliera), and not because >he's >a demigod (like Aliera). He's just human, he's a smart human who's had >some >lucky breaks, but his coolness comes from something that anyone could >attain, not some extraordinary power. Actually, I have to disagree, in part. Vlad is a very paradoxical character. Clearly he wants to think of himself as just an ordinary guy living through some extraordinary circumstances, but the fact of the matter is that Vlad is a privliedged person, starting off with the fact that his hated father bought his family a bourgeoisie Jhereg title. Although the Jhereg are low (even despised) nobility, they are, never the less, noblity and Vlad had opportunities, by being a member of the Jhereg, that he would never have had as a Teckla. Beyond that, Vlad's apprenticeship as a witch gave him membership in a second sort of elite, albeit one outside of the context of Dragaeran cultural standards. Although it's not clear just who can and become apprenticed as a witch, it is undoubtable that the accident of birth (i.e., being the grandson of Noish Pa) granted him a significant advantage over many others. Finally, Vlad is, quite literally, the reincarnation of a figure out of myth, and this is a fact known to his inner circle of high ranking friends. Indeed, although it is never explicitly said, I think that it's doubtful that he would be a part of his very select circle of acquaintances if he wasn't. It's certainly hard to understand his relationship with Sethra, to say nothing of Verra, without recognizing that tie. Granted, Vlad has put tremendous personal effort into becoming who he is, but he is not an everyman. Indeed, I think that one of the reasons that Athyra is an important book in the series is that we get to see what Vlad looks like through the eyes of a genuine member of the prolitariat, even more so that we did in Teckla. _________________________________________________________________ Tired of spam? Get advanced junk mail protection with MSN 8. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail