Steve Simmons writes: Hmm. I think manufacturing a second identity (Kiera) and using it to manipulate Vlad into being the weapon she needs counts as a direct lie. Except she didn't manufacture the second identity with its goal being Vlad's manipulation. Heck, when she says 'My name is Kiera', it's a direct lie. Not really. Her name, in that guise, IS Kiera. It is a fully formed persona with its own traits and behavior. I don't get the impression in any way that Sethra is a pretty nice lady. Yes, she likes her friends and tries to do well by them. But manipulating a third party into deadly situations isn't the mark of a nice lady or of a soft general. A good general shows no hesitation in throwing her troops and others into dangerous situations. But Vlad didn't volunteer. He's been manipulated and manuvered all the way. It might be nice when the alternatives are considered. One of these days Vlad is going to figure out how thoroughly he's been manipulated by Sethra. Sethra hasn't been manipulated him half as badly as Verra did. rone -- "Alan Alda's all we are." - Kurt Cobain