Falkenstone Hold

[Chantal]

Falkenstone is a minor Hold that looks to Benden Hold. It is located in the northern part of the territory.

Falkenstone is modeled after Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, which had a significant population of deaf people from the 1600's to the late 19th century before transportation improved enough to allow people to travel from the island more easily. The Vineyarders developed their own form of sign language independent of the development of ASL. (See Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language. Also see Heidi, because the place appears to have been heavily influenced by that, too!)

Falkenstone began as a cothold and eventually grew large enough to be considered a minor Hold by the Interval following the 9th Pass. It's primary industries are goathair products--both yarn and sweaters, as well as cheese. They also grow medicinal herbs which flourish in the cold climate, and they have a small vineyard of Eisenwein grapes (ice wine).

Holder: Selaerind (deaf)
Holder's Lady: Maregal
Hold Heir: Alessandra (deaf)
Steward: Tivar (Alessandra's husband)

[Hope]

So, is Yrdani still considered a potential heir?

[Chantal]

Hope--Yes, she is, because she's Aerden's daughter, and Aerden is Alessandra's heir until her son comes of age.

Speaking of Yrdani, were we going to figure that she's apprenticed to a craft by now?

[Hope]

Yes, more than likely, but then we have to obsess over WHAT craft and where she is. I'd bet she's apprenticed to something right at the Weyr...but what? Not healer, certainly...but what? Harper? Woodcrafter? StarSmith? Dragonhealer? Something else entirely? And has she been Searched? (Can't weyrbred kids Stand without ever officially being Searched?)

[Anna]

Weyrbred kids can stand without being Searched. It's kinda expected, I think - especially of kids who have a dragonriding parent - or stepparent!

[Chantal]

Yrdani would fit on both counts, then.

Much as Aerden would love for his daughter to follow in his footsteps, he does suspect that he's probably not the best person to train her; he'd have to send her somewhere else, if she wanted to apprentice. I remember you mentioned Yrdani perhaps becoming a Harper at one time, Hope.

I wonder if Jerrall is still around? He used to write some lovely poetry--had moments of brilliance in it that took my breath away.

[Hope]

Chantal, I think that you and Anna and I need to have a serious talk about Yrdani and her future. (And then you two can write the story unless I bring Garet in. Then I'll help, too.)

[Chantal]

I'm up for that. Since Yrdani's 14 now, it's time I/we got more active about writing her.

I do have a story I plotted out a while back that would have happened around the time she was 7, called "In the Soup." I think I can probably rework it to be a bedtime story that Aerden tells to Aerleena. *snicker*

[Dave]

Hey, Chantal, speaking of Falkenstone kids, whatever happened to Adaerra and the child she had with D'vor?

[Chantal]

Dave--I remember her, almost. She would have worked well in one of Rosemary Clement-Moore's books. I definitely remember the name but not who she was. A cousin of Aerden's, I'm guessing?

Their child is probably still at Falkenstone, unless D'vor brought them to live at StarRise.

Do you still have the story about Falkenstone's crazy ex-Headwoman?