After a night of lovemaking with his bride Tabitha, Sir Garrick sleeps until past noon. Rising to a light lunch, he bids farewell to Sir Ulrich Hawkes and his family, who are returning to Yggsburgh (Ulrich plans to return for the funeral in three days of Earl Byron 19/9/96), then goes to the castle library to research the White Lady and the rules of Lineage for Kallent.
1. There are frequent references to the "White Lady of Kallent" in the family histories, dating back more than three hundred years to an apparition that appeared to Kal Dragonslayer, first of the Kallent line, when he lay sore wounded after his first, disastrous battle against the red dragon Vermithrag on Dragon Ridge. The White Lady tended his wounds, and gave him the strength to face and defeat Vermithrag, later erecting Castle Kallent upon the dragon's lair. All through Kallent history the White Lady has appeared in times of peril, to aid and assist the men of the Kallent line.
2. The lineage is easily established, and runs as follows:
Current Descent of Title - County of Kallent
(1) Direct male heir - the baby Edward, grandson of Earl George
(2) Direct female heir - Lady Helen, daughter
(3) Direct female heir - Lady Tabitha, daughter, wife of Sir Garrick
(4) Direct female heir - Lady Maria, daughter
(5) Sister - Dame the Lady Gertrude Kallent
(6) Sister - Madam the Lady Winifred Hawkes-Kallent, wife of Sir Ulrich
(7) Nephew - Marcus Hawkes, husband of Genevieve
(8) Nephew - Barnaby Hawkes
(9) Niece - Alicia Hawkes
That evening, after a sombre diner with his in-laws, Garrick meets with Father Thadeus in the castle chapel.
"Why do the Kallents distrust the Herdly family, is it just because of their decadence?"
Thadeus smiles wryly:
"In the old days, hundreds of years ago, what is now Kallent lands was a waste claimed by the Counts of Herdley, but ruled by a terrible red dragon. The Herdley still feel this land is theirs by right."
"How many men can Kallent and Grane put in the field?"
Thadeus:
"I could not say for sure - with all the vassal lands, with Aldrun and Grane, perhaps two thousand men. They fielded more than a thousand against the Hill Orcs at Oak Ridge last year, but there were few Aldrun men there."
"Why are Redfort and Talworth enemies?"
Thadeus grins:
"Why, a Yggsburgh man like you should know that! A century ago, Redfort and Easmoor united to drive Talworth from Yggsburgh, only to be driven out in turn by Lord Yggs. Also, Talworth's south-western border lies near to Redfort land. They are natural rivals."
"What is the relationship between Sir Alec of Gaxhill and The Kallents?"
Thadeus shrugs:
"Gaxhill - near Yggsburgh? The site of the Tomb of the Unknown Paladin? I'm sorry, I know of no such relation, other than the occasional pilgrimage. Dame Gertrude likes to visit the Tomb every few years for the anniversary, and bring such as will accompany her. But I have not been there."
"Is it possible to get the Crown prince Luke Ergane to visit for the funeral, I want him to meet with both Lady Helen and Maria with a view to marriage and to strengthen our ties with them , thus giving house Kallent more allies and power."
Thadeus chuckles:
"Only just joined the Kallent, and already you plot the course of our destiny! Yes, I will be sending the invitations for the funeral to all our neighbours - Redfort, Yggsburgh, Herdley and Dunfalcon. I will make special mention of the Prince."
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