I would ask that this be added to the missives concerning the funeral. It is more from the heart than a factual presentation. I am not a scholar to write such flowerly things, but a simple Gypsy, who knows what his heart says to him.
When I first met Her Majesty, I thought someone was playing a joke on me. This strong, energetic woman could not possibly be a Queen! Queens were loud, obnoxious, and quite spoiled. They would sooner have you executed for just looking at them.
But I came to know Her Majesty, very well. She was the type of person who was willing to give you a chance, no matter what your past was. You could have been the foulest necromancer in the past, but as long as you had renounced it, you were given a chance to make up for it. After all, she did it for this Kin-Slayer.
I remember when she came to seek the council of the Gypsies concerning the Curse upon her Kingdom. As was tradition, there was a challenge at the door. When asked, “who comes to seek the wisdom of the Rom” she did not say A Queen, or a General, or a Noble, but she just smiled and very simply and quietly said “Niomi”. This sent my heart soaring. That a Queen, so regal and proud, would come and seek our council. And come simply as herself, and not with title.
As the months went on, I got to know Her Majesty. And I got to know some of the things she valued. Honesty, Truth, Honor, and Duty. And I would see her smile that beautiful smile of hers. The one that could take the worst situation imaginable, and lifted peoples hearts, and would bring smiles to others faces, where tears were before.
Shortly before we lost her, I had the opportunity to sit down with Her Majesty, and just talk. It was nothing important. But she asked how my mother was doing. And again, she shocked me. That a noble Queen would care about a lowly Squire’s family. That is the kind of person that inspires loyalty. I said that she was fine, and again, Her Majesty gave me that smile. And once again, my heart leapt into my throat.
After the ceremony, Sir Kaylin and I were sitting on the stone benches in the amphitheater, and he asked me “James, you were there when we lost Duke Bryan, right?” I said “Yes, I was” “It didn’t hurt like this, did it?" he said, “No” I replied, “It didn’t." “Why?” he asked. And my answer was this.
“It was her smile."
James William Michael MacEunruig Varados Graham di Mardyas
Caravaneer di Mardyas
Squire to Baron Algorian