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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cerebral Paladin" data-source="post: 3155627" data-attributes="member: 3448">Kaitlyn looked at Dame Brionna.  “How did you come to be betrothed to one of our knights?”“My family was from Stormreach.  The Stanways of Eastbrook.”“Ah.  So many of the old families died; I am pleased to see that some survived.  I remember your family from Court, when I was young.”“My family were among the first to flee.  My sister’s daughter was an infant, and my parents insisted that we go.”  Long-harbored guilt surfaced on Dame Brionna’s face as she spoke.“There would have been nothing you could have done if you had stayed.  We were overwhelmed.  A few more knights would have made no difference.”“Besides,” added Alistair, “you were what?  Twelve?”“I was sixteen, your grace.” Dame Brionna responded reproachfully.“Still.  It was one thing for warriors in the fullness of age to make a stand, but all that the children could do was to survive and live to defend their people later.”“Indeed,” agreed Kaitlyn.  “You had obligations to your family, as well.  I am glad that you have found a place here.”“His grace has welcomed my family.  He even found a position for my sister’s niece as a page to, umm, a member of his Archducal Council.”Princess Kaitlyn smiled as she looked at Alistair.  “It pleases me to hear that.  Our surviving nobles deserve a chance to serve in a proper kingdom.  And they have a duty to continue their families.”  She paused and then looked directly at Alistair.  “As I have duties as well.  I am the last of my lineage-- the last of any of the lineages of the South Kingdoms, and I trace my line to all of the royal houses.  We have nearly 1,500 years of lineage.  And yet it will die out if I do not bear legitimate children.”<<Subtle she's not,>> thought Dame Brionna.  <><<Heh.>>  Kit reached out with her mind and read Princess Kaitlyn’s thoughts.  <<But she’s really serious about this duty thing. She means everything she's saying.>><<Good,>> replied Dame Brionna.“Yes, we all must attend to our duties,” replied Alistair glumly.  “As I alluded to early, I never wanted to be Archduke.  Far better to be on the road, finding adventure and doing good where I could.  But when my father died… I could not allow Canberry to face chaos and even civil war for my own preferences.  And so I must serve.”While Alistair and Kaitlyn continued discussing duty, and the evening settled back into gray unhappiness, Kit continued listening to Kaitlyn’s thoughts, making mental notes to herself about the Princess.</blockquote>

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