> > Nice thought re Vlad, but post-_Phoenix_ doesn't his Countship > > (Countdom? Countity? Countitude?) come directly from the > > Empress, hence he reports to her? > > I just re-read that bit, and it explicitly states that Szurke > County is inside the Duchy of Eastmanswatch. There is no > explicit comment re whom Vlad is answerable to. > > > --KG I wonder if Aliera reclaimed the Duchy of Eastmanswatch when she returned. Would that make Vlad *her* vassal? :) Bryan