Forgotten realms. Sellswords

Now reissued, this "New York Times" bestseller features the dark elf mercenary Jarlaxle, who wants to possess the Crystal Shard. When the evil artifact's demonic force overcomes Jarlaxle, his assassin compatriot, Artemis Entreri, tries to help him break free.

As Entreri and Jarlaxle journey through the monster-infested Bloodstone Lands, Jarlaxle's ambitions endanger them both, and Entreri confronts a difficult choice between friendship and survival when they confront a fierce paladin king.