[Dragaera] Vlad and Aliera - Inextricably linked?

[Scott Schultz]

It occurred to me that Vlad  and Aliera may be linked closer than I'd 
previously imagined.

They're "soul siblings".

Vlad plays multiple vital roles in Aliera's resurrection and release from 
the Paths.

Devera has an interest in both Vlad and Vlad Norathar.

When Aliera's life is threatened, Vlad comes riding in to the rescue.

Aliera has Pathfinder. Vlad has Godslayer. The two Great Weapons are 
themselves linked at some metaphysical level, according to Morrolan's 
Serioli friend. Paraphrased - "If one of the two weapons has made an 
appearance, then the other tends to show up as well."

Vlad is instrumental in finding and releasing Pathfinder, as well as putting 
it into Aliera's hands. (Of course, there's also the implication that 
Pathfinder was "looking for" Aliera all along.)

It's not a coincidence that Vlad has figured so prominently in key areas of 
Aliera's life post-Interregnum. (Not her daily life; we know little about 
that.)

I'm convinced that Vlad has not been randomly chosen to carry Godslayer. 
Whether it's "fate" or the influence of the Lords of Judgement, there is a 
reason that a (relatively) short-lived Easterner with a karmic burden is 
carrying the blade that can destroy a God. Whatever "The Final Contract" (or 
whatever it really turns out to be) is about, it seems likely that we're 
going to see Pathfinder and Godslayer coming together to fulfill their 
combined purpose. That necessarily implies that Aliera and Vlad are going to 
be sharing each other's fate at some level. Death for one or both is a 
likely outcome, especially if the destruction or removal of one or both of 
their Great Weapons is involved.

One wonders what Vlad would do if he was faced with a crisis point, with 
freedom to choose his action, and the knowledge that his entire life had 
been manipulated towards one specific action, especially if that action 
involved life and death for Aliera, Verra, or both?

One thing's for certain - as a tool of the Gods, knowingly or unknowingly, 
he's a loose cannon. Despite her claims on his loyalty and her particular 
brand of foreknowledge, even Verra would have a difficult time pushing Vlad 
to make a decision to do the "right" thing (meaning fulfulling his appointed 
destiny as opposed to saying "Frag it all"). Ironically, I think the one 
person who might be able to help him to make the "best" choice as opposed to 
making the most annoyingly contrary, most pointlessly heroic, or most 
self-serving choice would be Lady Teldra. It may be that she isn't going to 
awaken until Vlad is faced with a need for her guidance at the final 
juncture.

Hmmm... Reading that last paragraph, I'm even pushed to speculate that "The 
Final Contract" will recap the theme of the entire series, with one chapter 
devoted to the theme of each House and Vlad behaving like the patron animal 
in each of the chapters.