Dzur (novel)  Dzur is a fantasy novel by American writer Steven Brust, the tenth book of the Vlad Taltos series, originally published in 2006 by Tor Books. It takes place immediately after Issola. The novel was originally intended to be called "Tiassa", after another Dragaeran House. The book entered "The New York Times" Bestseller list for Hardcover Fiction on August 22, 2006. Following the events of "Issola", Vlad wants some respite and asks to be sent to his favorite restaurant in South Adrilankha, Valabar's. Shortly after he is seated, he is joined by Telnan, a Dzur and Sethra Lavode's apprentice to restart the Lavode order that was destroyed following the events detailed in The Viscount of Adrilankha. Notably, Telnan is also a holder of one of the Great Weapons, Nightslayer. As they prepare to start their multi-course meal, they are joined by the legendary Mario Greymist, who informs Vlad that Cawti, Vlad's estranged wife, had lost control of the underworld elements throughout South Adrilankha which threatens to start a House war between the Dragons and Jhereg. After his meal, Vlad returns to Dzur mountain and requests through multiple channels to speak to Cawti to get a better understanding of what happened in his absence. She confirms that she neglected the underworld organization Vlad left to her when he went on the run from the Jhereg, and that the Left Hand of the Jhereg, a coven of sorceresses who normally operate autonomously from the Right Hand (the crime organization run by the male Jhereg), have made an unprecedented move of taking over the crime holdings and try to force Cawti into retirement. Cawti's friend, Norathar, the Dragon heir to the Imperial Throne, doesn't want to see control taken away from Cawti, which is setting the stage for the possible House war. Vlad takes on the responsibility to get to the bottom of the Left Hand's involvement and prevent further chaos. He sets up base in South Adrilankha in disguise and through following runners finds the house where the Left Hand is operating. Despite his magic blocking stones, one of the sorceresses discovers him and attempts to kill him. However, Lady Teldra, Vlad's Great Weapon, deflects the attack spell back to the sorceress and kills her. Vlad now knows he must be more careful to mask his actions, but he needs more information about what is going on and who is involved, but he lacks the resources he had when he was a crime boss.