On Mon, 2002-11-25 at 23:42, Jag wrote: > On Tue, 2002-11-26 at 02:14, M J wrote: > > Well, Paarfi's words are mutating on the pages of my books again, > > so I can't find the quote I want, but -- > > > > "So, is Zerika Tortaalik-n-Noima's granddaughter, or what?" > > I don't believe so. At one point in FHYA, there is a member of the > court from the House of the Phoenix who mentions to Khaavren that his > wife is about to have a child and wonders if they should stay in the > city or not, and Khaavren urges them to leave as soon as possible. I > believe that Zerika is that child. I can't remember her parent's names > though. If I can find that part of the book again, I'll email it to the > list. > Found it! Roughly page 320 from the FHYA paperback. Khaavren is talking with Lord Vernoi who has wedded Princess Loudin, the Phoenix Heir. It only makes since the Zerika would be the daughter of the previous Phoenix Heir. However, this does lead to an interesting question. If Zerika is the only Phoenix remaining (as I believe it is mentioned in a few of the Vlad novels), then how will the House of the Phoenix survive until the Cycle turns to them again. I think if a House were eliminated now that the Cycle has been so well established[1], there would be great problems. I do not believe a cross-breed would be accepted as Heir to the house, so I only see one way for Zerika to produce a viable heir. That is the same way Adron produced Aliera (who was Heir once upon a time), with a God(dess). [1] At one point Sethra mentions that originally there were more than 17 Houses or breeds of Dragaerans, but the rest died off. Jag