# Val Ralestone — Ralestone Luck character guide > Val Ralestone in Ralestone Luck by Andre Norton. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Lord Valerius, Lord Val, Val, Valerie St. Jean de Roche **First appearance:** 0002-ralestone-luck ## Snapshot The elder Ralestone brother, pinned between a collapsing tunnel and his sister's fear, must hold his family's crumbling luck together with a broken rib and a steady voice. ## Who they are Val Ralestone is the heir to Pirate's Haven, a decaying Southern estate whose luck has run out along with its money. When a rival claimant threatens the family's last asset, Val must decide whether to fight, bargain, or dig into the family's pirate-haunted past. His quiet endurance under pressure—physical and moral—anchors the siblings as they uncover what the Ralestone name is really worth. ## Relationships ### [Sir Roderick de la Stone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/characters/sir_roderick_de_la_stone) _family_ Sir Roderick is Val's uncle or elder family member, acting as a guardian and mentor with deep familial bonds. ### [Rupert Ralestone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/characters/rupert_ralestone) _family_ Rupert is Val's brother, sharing a close sibling relationship with loyalty and shared adventures. ### [Jeems](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/characters/jeems) _professional_ Jeems is a loyal servant or retainer to Val, providing assistance and guidance with a sense of duty. ### [Miss Charity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/characters/miss_charity) _friendship_ Miss Charity is a kind and supportive friend to Val, often offering warmth and advice. ### [LeFleur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/characters/lefleur) _rivalry_ LeFleur is an antagonist or competitor to Val, creating tension and conflict over the Ralestone legacy. ### [Lucy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/characters/lucy) _romantic_ Lucy is a romantic interest for Val, with a tender and developing relationship full of affection. ### [Red Bird](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/characters/red_bird) _friendship_ Red Bird is a loyal ally and friend to Val, offering support and local knowledge. ### [Creighton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/characters/creighton) _rivalry_ Creighton is a rival or adversary to Val, often opposing his goals with cunning and deceit. ### [Satan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/characters/satan) _friendship_ Satan is Val's loyal dog or pet, providing companionship and protection. ### [Sam Two](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/characters/sam_two) _friendship_ Sam Two is a friendly acquaintance or helper to Val, assisting in various tasks. ### [Boss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/characters/boss) _friendship_ Boss is a companion or ally to Val, likely a pet or trusted sidekick. ### [Sir Roderick de la Stone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/characters/sir_roderick_de_la_stone) _family_ Sir Roderick is Val's uncle or elder family member, acting as a guardian and mentor with deep familial bonds. ## In the story ### [Ralestone Luck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/ralestone-luck) The narrator and protagonist, a young man who is pragmatic and observant, leading the family's move to Pirate's Haven. ### [The Ralestones Come Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/i-the-ralestones-come-home) The dark-haired, dark-eyed younger brother, recovering from a plane crash that left him with a limp; he jokes about piracy and the family's fortunes. ### [The Luck of the Lords of Lorne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/ii-the-luck-of-the-lords-of-lorne) Listens to family history, comments on the Luck, and interacts with the cat Satan. ### [III: The Ralestones Entertain an Unobtrusive Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/iii-the-ralestones-entertain-an-unobtrusive-visitor) Wakes from a nightmare, explores the garden, meets Jeems, and talks with Sam. ### [Pistols for Two—Coffee for One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/iv-pistols-for-two-coffee-for-one) Attends the meeting with LeFleur, learns of the rival claimant, and agrees with Ricky to fight for Pirate's Haven. ### [Their Tenant Discovers the Ralestones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/v-their-tenant-discovers-the-ralestones) Explores the grounds with Ricky, meets Charity Biglow, and discusses the family's financial troubles and the rival claimant. ### [VI: Satan Goes A-Hunting and Finds Work for Idle Hands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/vi-satan-goes-a-hunting-and-finds-work-for-idle-hands) Discovers the hidden panel and Bible box; feels a deep attachment to Pirate's Haven. ### [VII: By Our Luck!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/vii-by-our-luck) Helps unpack the treasure; notes his resemblance to the portrait of Roderick Ralestone; drops cornbread butter-side down. ### [VIII: Great-Uncle Rick Walks the Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/viii-great-uncle-rick-walks-the-hall) Rides Sam's horse, encounters the rival Ralestone, and later meets Jeems by the bayou. ### [IX: Portrait of a Lady and a Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/ix-portrait-of-a-lady-and-a-gentleman) Still shaken by the apparition in the hall; suspects a connection to the rival's threat; serves as model for Charity's painting. ### [Into the Swamp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/x-into-the-swamp) Val reflects on his limited prospects after his accident and follows Ricky into the swamp, finding her at Jeems' cabin. ### [XI: Ralestones to the Rescue!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/xi-ralestones-to-the-rescue) Follows Ricky into the swamp, confronts her about the danger, and decides to stay hidden to help Jeems. ### [The Ralestones Bring Home a Reluctant Guest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/xii-the-ralestones-bring-home-a-reluctant-guest) Injured but helps carry Jeems to the boat; later treated by Rupert. ### [On Such a Night as This—](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/xiii-on-such-a-night-as-this) Agrees to retrieve Jeems' chest from the swamp despite the storm; becomes suspicious of Ricky's secretive behavior. ### [XIV: Pirate Ways Are Hidden Ways](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/xiv-pirate-ways-are-hidden-ways) Braves the flood to retrieve Jeems' chest and later overhears the intruders' plans. ### [XV: Pieces of Eight—Ralestones’ Fate!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/xv-pieces-of-eight-ralestones-fate) Pinned under debris, injured but conscious; finds the Luck of Lorne. ### [XVI: Ralestones Stand Together](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/xvi-ralestones-stand-together) Recovering from broken ribs and fractured collarbone, Val is bandaged and confined to a cot but later manages to move to the terrace. ### [XVII: The Return of Rick Ralestone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/xvii-the-return-of-rick-ralestone) Val learns the full story of Jeems' lineage and welcomes his newly discovered cousin. ### [Rupert Brings Home His Marchioness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/xviii-rupert-brings-home-his-marchioness) Observes the domestic scene, jokes about Ralestone Luck, and receives news of a potential animation career from Holmes. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/characters/val_ralestone - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ralestone_luck_se/characters