This is book 8 of the "Vlad Taltos" series.

This note contains spoilers for the book.

Vlad is in the Army! Morollan's army, with Sethra in command. Attacking a wizard who stole a sword from a cache Morollan was guarding. And insulted Vlad personally.

It really looks to me like Vlad is getting to be a dangerous loose cannon. This fight with Fornoia was really not necessary, and if he took it on, he spent far too much time in actual battles. I'm sure it's fun sneaking around the enemy camp stealing their banners, though.

Okay, there's more than that; this is how Pathfinder was discovered, and also has mixed into it the story of how Aliera got it from the Necromancer without wrecking Vlad's favorite chair. And a lot of philosophizing about being a soldier.