Since Devera keeps calling Vlad "Uncle Vlad", isn't it possible that Verra is Vlad's mother? That would make Aliera his sister both biologically (except for difference in species) and spiritually, explaining why she puts up with/likes Vlad. Maybe if Verra has a child with a Dragaeran, then the child is Dragaeran. If she has a child with an Easterner, then the child is an Easterner. This could explain Vlad's father's dislike of Vlad learning witchcraft, because he may figure things out. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com