On 1/3/06, Scott Kreitzer <rascaltkatt at yahoo.com> wrote: > I know I posted this before, but I didn't see any comments on this. > > Since Devera keeps calling Vlad "Uncle Vlad", isn't it possible that Verra is Vlad's mother? Anything's *possible*. Previous discussions of this topic have left me unconvinced. There's not enough positive evidence in its favor, and significant contradictions involved. Devera calls Morrolan "Uncle 'Rolan" as well; she may very well know about the spiritual connection between Dolivar and Aliera; and a child might very well call a family friend "Uncle" in any case. Verra doesn't treat Vlad like a son; she would have had to be married to Vlad's father, which from Vlad's description of him sounds like an unappealing prospect (and "Noish-pa as Vlad's REAL dad" is prima facie ridiculous); she calls Vlad by his species-name, "Easterner." Aliera knows about her relationship with Verra, so you have to postulate some reason why Verra would conceal her relationship with Vlad. Search the list archives. I'm positive that we've discussed this recently. Max Wilson -- Be pretty if you are, Be witty if you can, But be cheerful if it kills you.