De Bellefeuille Manor
A well-manicured lawn greets the eye, landscaped with occasional topiary bushes and a garden of flowers spread to either side of a short cobbled path leading from the circular driveway to the front entrance of the manor. The path widens and curves to go around a burbling fountain with a statue of a armor-clad poodle holding aloft a horn from which water spouts. A couple of stone benches rest to either side of the fountain.
Cold rain splashes down outside the window of Elise's office at the de Bellefeuille Manor on a gray, overcast day. The lady of the manor sits at her desk, studying paperwork from the Temple, when the butler knocks at the door.
"Come in," responds Elise. The Temple poodle does not lift her head to regard the door, instead keeping her attentions on the paperwork spread out before her.
"Package for you, my lady," the Rottweiler announces in his urbane voice, proffering a bundle wrapped in plain brown paper, "from the Office of Bloodlines. Where would my lady like me to set it?"
The snow-white poodle takes a moment to glance up from he paperwork and regard the package. After considering the box for a moment with a slight frown, she answers, "Place it upon the edge of my desk, away from my paperwork."
"Very good, my lady," the other canine replies, placing it as instructed. "Will there be aught else?"
"Fetch my dear sister in … ," the white poodle looks out toward the cloudy sky in an attempt to gauge the time by the condition of the day, "when twenty minutes have passed. If you cannot find her, I will need to know."
There is a nod from the Rottweiler in acknowledgement, before he bows slightly and withdraws from the word, leaving the package resting, inert, on the edge of Lady de Bellefeuille's desk.
For a moment Lady de Bellefeuille resumes her paperwork, continuing just as she had before the package ever arrived. But this only lasts so long, for the box draws upon her attention. She glances at it again, frowning deeper this time, before she abandons her work in favor of the new arrival. She reaches over for it and slides it over, then begins to open it.
Within the wrappings lies a handsome volume hand-bound in sky-leather leather with silver trim. The book bears no legend on the front, but the first leaf within its covers describes its purpose in flourishing script: Report on the de Bellefeuille Bloodline, with Special Attention to Its Connections with Non-White Poodles and the de Ayde Bloodline in Particular, as requested by the Lady Elise de Bellefeuille.
The lady poodle quirks at the name, finding it a tad too obvious for her tastes. Still, she opens the book further and begins flipping through the pages so as to skim over the contents. "This will do," she whispers to herself, looking none too pleased.
After skimming through the volume briefly, and with some apprehension, the noblewoman flips back to the report's introduction, and cover letter.
Midsummer 5, 6104
Office of Bloodlines
Noble Quarter
Sky Island of Rephidim Lady Elise de Bellefeuille
Bellefeuille Estate
Sky Island of Rephidim
Dear Lady de Bellefeuille:
Please allow me to take a moment to thank you for your generous contribution to the Office. Your donation allows us to continue our work of gathering and maintaining the most accurate and thorough records possible on every Gallee, and ensures that this information remains available for the good of all our kind.
As Elise reads over the page her expression softens back into one of neutral interest. She considers this would be best should her sister enter early – it would not do to put on a face that might make her nervous.
At your request, we have researched your lineage and that of the de Aydes', and made a preliminary determination as to the probable results of a cross between your bloodline and theirs. For a complete search, we have forwarded your inquiry to the main branch on Gallis, as they have access to the most up-to-date information, but it will be several weeks before they will be able to fulfill this request and return the needed documents to us. In the meantime, I hope the documents enclosed may provide you with some guidance. A brief overview of our findings and conclusions follows.
We were able to locate some seven women in your line who have wed and borne children to non-white poodles, and one of whom, in fact, married a de Ayde.
Two of these women, Melissa Belle von Sontre, and Genevieve Karene' de Basuile, are several generations and steps removed from you, far enough that their outcomes have little more bearing on your prospects than those of any other poodle. (Melissa Belle would be your seventh cousin four times removed, and Genevieve your eighth cousin six times removed).
The outcomes of the others should be of greater relevance to your position. Complete charts of all their descendents are enclosed, as well as images of those individual descendents we found particularly noteworthy. To assist you in determining the relationship of these women to yourself, please see Appendix i, which chart shows the portions of your family tree relevant to indicating your relationships.
The kinswomen in question would be:
Lady Juliet Vivian de Merci, a great great aunt whose marriage brought her to Gallis Lady Helene Quiella von Oarace, a second cousin once removed, also of Gallis
Lady Annabelle Lily haut Morace, of Rephidim, a great great great aunt, of Rephidim
Baroness Seul Helene de Vrie, a first cousin thrice removed, of Gallis, and lastly
Lady Michelle Terese de Ayde, a first cousin four time removed, of Rephidim
Chevalier Kingsley de Merci, the poodle who wed Lady Juliet Vivian, was an even, medium gray. His great-grandfather had been black, but no other black poodles were introduced to this line. Their descendents have all been light gray or white, with no spotteds among them.
By Contrast, Lady Helene's husband was of a predominantly black line. According to our records, she has had only two children so far, one charcoal in color, the other an iron gray. Both conform suitably at this time to the standards of the breed, but as you can see there is not a great deal of information to work from on this line.
The de Vrie line has been a mixture of black and white poodles, similar to the de Ayde heritage. Baroness Seul Helene de Vrie bore three children to this line, two of which were spotted. Her third child, a charcoal, gave her two grandchildren, one of whom was spotted. Both of these met an untimely demise in the last Gallisian revolution.
Haut Morace is also a mixed line of blacks, whites, and grays, and like the de Aydes their bloodline features an unfortunate number of spotted offspring. However, none of Lady Annabelle Lily's six children bore spots, and they varied in hue from silver to black. Nor have any of her grandchildren or great grand children, which bodes well for her line.
Lady Michelle Terese's line you may recall from your last visit to the Office, although at the time we were not aware of the relationship to yourself. Among her children was Lord Rodger Grant de Ayde, great-great-great grandfather to the present Lord Grant Michael de Ayde. You may recollect that among Lord Rodger's offspring were children of most unfortunate coloration.
I am sure the mixed nature of our findings will be evident to you. The considered opinion of this group of researchers is that a marriage between yourself or your sister and a de Ayde has the potential to stabilizing the de Ayde line, offering them a greater chance at consistent offspring conforming to the standards of the breed. In fact, a member of the present de Bellefeuilles would be perhaps the most likely of any to bring stability to the de Ayde line. However, such an outcome is by no means a certainty, and our learned opinion would give the effort at best an even chance of success. As likely would be children of average or worse conformity, or even offspring who did not conform to the standard of poodles at all.
It is my personal belief that the risk would be a foolhardy one to take with such excellent specimens as yourself or Katherine, particularly as you are the culmination of generations of exceptional breeding, and the last two of your father's line. Such quality would be best exploited to its fullest, rather than gambled with in risky ventures for uncertain gain.
I hope this report finds you well, and should you have further need of our services, do not hesitate to contact us.
Yrs.,Harold Paul von Merck, Esq.
Having read through the introduction, Elise closes the book in front of her. She need not read any further to know the truth now, and though she is not in the least bit comforted by news that may break her sister's heart, she is in some small way relived to have the information at hand. At least one part of this is now over.
A few more minutes pass during which time Elise sits, watching the rain, with her chair facing the window. A quiet knock sounds at the door. "Hello?" a muffled female voice asks. "Elise, Armand said you'd like to see me?"
"Come in Katherine. There is a matter I would wish to discuss with you," Elise answers.
Katherine enters the room, the pale pink skirts of her morning dress swishing around her legs, arms folded absently over an embroidery work-in-progress, the hoop still in place, holding the fabric taut. "Yes?" she asks, watching her sister while the door swings shut behind her. "You sound so serious, Elise. Is something amiss?"
"I am afraid this is serious business, and one I would rather not discuss. But it is unfortunate I must, for the sake of tradition and for you and I." The elder sister reaches up and brushes some stray curls from her face before she turns her chair partially around. "Please, have a seat?"
"I… " The younger poodle lets the word trail off, and she lets her work drop to her side as she reaches for a chair with one hand. She adjusts the chair slightly to face her sister more fully, then seats herself, reflexivelysmoothing her skirts into place with an air of dignified formality. "Yes, Elise?" she inquires again, diffidently.
Elise lowers her head slightly, eyes coming to rest on the volume in front of her. "Are you still seeing Lord de Ayde?" she asks.
A smile blossoms on Katherine's face at the mention of his name. "Yes, of course, Elise," she replies, her eyes dreamy. Then her gaze sharpens, focusing on her sister's expression with growing trepidation.
Katherine finds her sister's face to have grown a step more dark. The elder sister stares at the book in front of her for a few seconds longer, then she reaches out to pick it up. "Have you considered your future with him at all, Katherine? You know he is a poodle of … unusual … color?"
The younger poodle strokes at the front of her skirt, removing an imaginary fleck of lint. "Not that unusual, Elise," she answers, Her voice sounds calm enough. "There are a number of well-respected lines of black poodles. And gray," she adds.
Elise sighs softly, finding her subtle point missed. She reaches up and runs a hand through her long curl white hair. "The de Ayde line of Rephidim has amongst its lineage a great deal of spotted children. Their line is … in need of stability. Lord Grant de Ayde is the best of their line in some time, but he is black. The best of our line – and we do score high, I have discovered – is," the elder sister turns toward her sister and looks at her from beneath some stray strands, "you."
Katherine's hand stops moving as Elise's speech continues, but she continues to look at the same spot on her skirt. After a long moment of silence, she lifts her head to meet her sister's gaze. "Go on," she says evenly, with the barest hint of challenge in her voice.
The blue dressed poodle nods her head slightly. "It pains me greatly to have to tell you this. You must understand this." She pauses for a moment to consider what to say next. Upon finding the words she opens the book and continues speaking. "You, of perhaps anyone, have the potential to strengthen the de Ayde of Rephidim line. However, the chances of this are at best even. It becomes even more upsetting when reminded we are the last of our father's line."
"The last of our father's line," Katherine repeats. After a quiet moment, she says, "This talk of scores and cross-breeding is unlike you, Elise. What have you got there?" Her gaze locks onto the book in her sister's hands, the tinge of anger in it recognizable only to someone who knows her as well as her sibling.
"I suppose tradition has become more and more important to me as time goes on," answers Elise, her words lacking in energy as if tiring to say. The book is closed and offered over to her sister. "This book is the result of my research."
The pink-clad poodle stands and leans over the desk, laying her hand on the book as if to take it from her sister's grasp. "Tradition?" she repeats. "Your research, Elise? Or someone else's?"
"My research, Katherine. Assisted by the Office of the Bloodlines," answers Elise. She pushes the book gently into her sister's hands. "Take it and skim over the introduction as well as some of the pictures."
The other poodle's fingers close on the cover, indenting the fine leather, but she presses the volume against the desktop rather than lifting it up. "Ah. The Office of Bloodlines, scorekeeper to us all." Her fingers tremble. "Elise, when did you first learn about their little numbering game?" The inquiry is delivered in an almost casual tone.
The elder sister frowns again. "Only recently. It was one of the many 'interesting' items I came across in my research. I cannot say I am in complete agreement with the numbering system or in how individuals are judged, however … ," she tilts her head and leans forward to observe the book, "some things are beyond simple judgements. Some things are … unacceptable in most any light."
Katherine clenches her fingers tighter against the book to stop their trembling, and she draws deliberately even breaths, still standing before her sister. "Did you manage to avoid it for so long, Elise? I think I learned about them first at a party, oh, three years ago. It's not polite to talk about them specifically, you know." She turns her head to look at the wall beside Elise's desk, where a family portrait hangs, the two young daughters seated on the laps of their parents. "Not in public, anyway. In private … do you ever think it odd that Father never spoke of them to us? Not even when the Office came to … score us."
The blue dressed poodle considers the question as she turns to follow her sister's gaze to the portrait. "I … had not considered it … I thought perhaps he may have wanted to tell us when we were older, or, it did not concern him … ," she replies.
"Or Mother, either," Katherine murmurs. "Surely they cannot have been embarrassed by it. I have not looked at our scores, as I gather you have, but I am give to understand that, yes, they are more than respectable." Her fingernails curl over the book's cover, marking the soft leather, then she shoves the tome away as she removes her hand from it. "Our parents valued tradition highly – but I do not think they cared for the Office of Bloodline's version of it, Elise," she says coolly, stepping back from the desk to sink into her chair.
"I see … ," whispers Elise. She too rests in her chair, again reaching and running a hand through those curly white locks of hers. "Do you think ill of me for having done this? I have tried as I can to maintain our family, to keep up traditions I never imagined I would need to maintain, but now," she gestures a hand at the book, "I find there are some matters I cannot handle so easily."
Elise dips her head slightly. "I suppose 'easy' is an understatement. This has not been in the least bit easy."
Katherine folds her hands in her lap, drawing in a breath and retrieving her composure, then looks to her sister, her eyes holding a measure of guarded sympathy. "What do you mean to do, Elise? Do you want me to cut Grant off – " a brief waver in her voice, then she goes on, " – because of what that book says about him? About his blood?"
The elder sister shakes her head. "No, Katherine," she answers softly. Her hand trails up and over to pick up the book and bring it to her lap. "I am not here to demand you cease to see Grant. I will not tell you what to do, even if I think your choice might be a mistake for one reason or another," the poodle lowers her gaze to the book and runs her hand over it in thought, "I simply wish that if you do make a decision, that you have your facts here. Your choice is your own, but I would not wish to let you make it without the facts."
The younger poodle sighs deeply, and bows her head. "Thank you, 'lise," she says softly. She stands, skirts swaying with the motion. "I think I have the facts I need already," she continues, laying her hands over her heart. "But, if it will make you feel better… ," her eyes drop disdainfully to the now-scarred blue volume, "I will read what your precious Office has to say."
The book is lifted and offered to the pink dressed poodle once again. "You will not enjoy it, but at least you will know." She lets herself relax further into the chair.
With an un-ladylike snort, her younger sister accepts the object, holding it between two fingers and thumb like a dead vermite. "Very well."
Elise lifts her hands and folds them in front of her before resting them in her lap. "You will find information on your sister within that book as well. It is not so greatly flattering as what is written about you. There is even mention of," the poodle quirks her lip, "mental instability on my part. So, do read with caution. A word of advice from your crazy sister."
The younger poodle quirks her lips in a half-smile. "Well, I hardly need a book to tell me that," she murmurs.
"I forbid you to amuse yourself with my tragedy," says Elise in a mock-stern voice. She tilts her head to the side and whirls a finger at her temple. "Perhaps when you are old and married, you will need take care of me when I go into my fits of insanity, and then you will rue the day you teased me."
"When I am old and married? Are you saying that I must remain a spinster until then, Elise?" She leans forward to mock-glare at her sibling. "Or it is just that I have to wait until you descend fully into insanity before I can pry myself loose of your over-protective grip?"
The blue dressed poodle holds her hands out to her sides and shrugs faintly. "You will not be rid of me. Even should I go insane, I will forever be near. Even should I die … I will return in ghostly form to haunt you. A wisp on the breeze that forever beckons you to do the correct and proper thing," she replies. A smile crosses the elder poodle's lips.
"Oh?" She rocks backwards on her heels, looking thoughtful. "I thought that's what you were now. I guess things aren't going to change much." A mischievous wink follows her words as she half-spins to face the window, contemplating the rain sheeting against the glass.
Elise's hands fall against the edges of her seat. "I suppose I am. Whenever was it that I became so stern?" She shakes her head faintly and then stands from her chair so that she can wander over toward the window too.
Katherine casts a sidelong glance at her sister, then looks back out the window as she answers in all seriousness, "I think it was when you were four. Remember? When we broke Mama's favorite bud vase?"
"Oh, yes … " The elder poodle's expression hints at guilt. "I had tried to forget. Or, perhaps I simply have not had time to remember. I am not so certain which it is anymore."
With a toss of her hair and a shake of her head, Katherine sets the book down on the window ledge. "You've got no time for anything, 'lise. You're so busy you can't even get work done," she adds with whimsical amusement.
"Perhaps I keep busy to forget. You need only observe other Temple officials to understand we are not all so busy. I accept some of my work as a volunteer, because I wish to keep busy. I am not so free as you are, Katherine. I do envy you," says Elise. A hand is lifted and gestured toward the paperwork on her desk. "Minor cases. I am an Investigator now. A minor Inquisitrix, by choice."
Her sister flops into a chair and gives an exaggerated sigh. "Sounds interminably dull," she comments. "But at least it's less dangerous than charging into battle or being beset by Eeee pirates." She shudders delicately.
The other poodle remains by the window watching the rain to the courtyard below. "It can be. Well, I suppose it is actually, but at least it keeps me busy. Commanding a Guard defense force was also dull, but … it had its moments. Ones I do not wish to repeat. At the moment I am still undecided what position to take now that my current duties have ended," she explains.
"Now that I mention plans, Katherine, what is it you plan to do now?" asks Elise.
"You should retire and help me manage our investments," Katherine declares. She pauses, and then adds, "Not that that is terribly exciting work, either, but you get a lot more opportunities to mingle with important people. Not all that talking to riff-raff that Investigators do. Oh, me?"
Elise inclines her head in response. "Yes you. And you know I cannot quit the Temple. It is a matter of, well … tradition. The de Bellefeuilles serve the Captain Astromancer. It has been that way since long ago."
The younger poodle fluffs the side of her skirt to straighten it, then ticks off on her fingers. "Well, we're scheduled for an audit in fifteen days – won't that be fun," Katherine wrinkles her nose in distaste. "Bryant's helping me get ready for that one. The do Varrs are having a big party shortly after that, a coming-out thing for their youngest daughter – oh, and you will be coming, won't you, 'lise?" She shoots her sister a look.
"I will see if I can arrange the time," answers Elise in a business-like tone. She looks off toward her sister for a moment and nods to her a little. "Yes, I will come. I believe a vacation from my vacation might be in order."
"Good." Katherine smiles brightly. "We'll need new dresses, of course. And something to wear to the charity event I'm planning for Ring Day, but that's not for a while yet."
"And what of Lord de Ayde?" inquires the older poodle. The blue dressed poodle turns her waist so that she is not looking at her sister directly. "Have you any plans to mention?"
A dreamy smile lights on Katherine's lips again. "Well, the benefit was his idea, of course, and he'll be escorting me to the do Varrs' ball, naturally. We're having lunch day after next… " She trails off, eyes gazing out the window without seeing the rain.
Elise watches her sister with a hint of amusement. "You certainly do gush over him enough. It is quite amusing, really." She smiles a bit more. "Well, before you become too fond of me for my reluctant decision to leave you to your own decision, I had best get back to my work. And you should read that book."
