<DIV><DIV><P>Once, Vlad Taltos knew his trade: he killed people for a living. That skill got him his foothold in House Jhereg, running the rackets for a chunk of urban Adrilankha. Later, things happened that left Vlad a changed man, on the run from the Jhereg and frequently involved in the affairs of Dragonlords, Empresses, and even Jenoine. Far more involved than the average human.<BR><BR>Meanwhile, in the very distant past, one of the gods fashioned an artifact—a silver figurine of a tiassa, a winged panther-like animal. To Devera the Wanderer, it's a pretty toy to play with. To Vlad, it's a handy prop for a con he's running. To the Empire, it's a tool to be used against the Jenoine. And to the Jhereg, it's a trap to kill Vlad.<BR><BR>As it happens, however, the silver tiassa has its own agenda.<BR><BR><I>Tiassa</I> tells a story that threads its way through more than ten years of the remarkable life of Vlad Taltos—and, to the delight of longtime fans, brings him together with Khaavren, from <I>The Phoenix Guards </I>and its sequels. Khaavren may be Vlad's best friend—or his most terrible enemy.</P></DIV></DIV>