Dahlia Tulan

Dahlia Tulan is an ambitious guildleader in Penderyn, a wealthy criminal mastermind, plotting to become the next high general. In disguise, she sometimes appears as Lia, a fortuneteller.

Altus, her grandfather, served at Sage Hall sweeping and cleaning the estate. He stole an old poem from the Hall and soon afterward was relieved of his duties.

The Dryad's Crown
In the book series by David Hopkins, Dahlia Tulan is the surrogate mother of Silbrey. Dahlia discovered the young girl in the garden of her gated estate, gave her a place to live and taught her how to fight.

As described in book 1 (A Slow Parade in Penderyn):

"The woman had a stern face, punctuated with dark sharply angled eyebrows. Her black hair was cut short, shaved on the sides. Piper noticed her ears, which had several small rings along the pierced ridge. The woman dressed like the mercenaries who hung out at the taverns—with intricately patterned leather, straps, and arms bands, all fashioned to display and accentuate her muscular arms. She had a rapier in one hand. The sword was the only thing about her without a trace of ostentation. The sword was not ceremonial. It was unambiguous in its purpose, used and used often."