EPILOGUE

ose Valfort never rebuilt Chrynna Dabney Castle, and the tattered, half crumbled castle remains a place that only rogues, travelers, and beggars make use of, along with the occasional deer or rabbit. Instead, Rose built a new castle, which she named Fillona Chrystine. While it was being constructed, the servants were kept at the nearby inn where they worked in part to pay for lodgings. The small fortune recovered from the fire allowed everyone to live in relative ease, though Rose was rarely around.

She traveled often, and met other Dukes, Duchesses, and Thanes. She was invited to many parties and balls, and kept at many castles where she was always introduced to the eldest available male. However, it wasn’t until spring she was married after falling in love with the second son of the Thane who ruled over the province in which her duchy lay, and she then became Rose Avelair. The two had a long and happy marriage with three children: a boy and two girls.

Rose never told anyone the truth of what happened to Edmond, though many remarked about a certain Dalorin who would visit the castle from time to time, and of letters that came to her from a Nehtorian Temple just outside of Ximax.

When Rose died in 420 a.S. at the age of 74, the Duchy mourned greatly for their Duchess, who is remembered for her kindness, generosity, and strength. Her descendents still rule the duchy today.