ANST - Baroness levity

[Kim Tucker]

Greetings from Baroness Neassa of Stargate.

I have very much enjoyed reading everyone's opinions of Territorial and
Court Baron/esses. I have one bit of Stargate/Baron Bran trivia to pass
on, and then I would like to relate a brief story from our investiture.

First, after Baron Bran and Baroness Sindra announced that they were
stepping down, Bran held a meeting with the (10!) couples who had
applied for the job, to answer any questions that we may have had. At
one point in the evening we were discussing how others in the Barony
perceive the Baron and Baroness. Bran opined that the office was more
"difficult" for the Baroness, because, "Every woman knows why she isn't
Queen: Because her slug of a husband won't get off his hands and win
Crown Tournament. But she doesn't understand why she isn't Baroness,
because she could certainly do a better job than the fat cow who
currently has it!"

(Since our colors are Sable and Argent, I guess that makes me a
Holstein.) :-)

Now on to the story. At our investiture we knew that Sindra would
receive her Court Barony, but that Bran already had his. He also had all
three of the armigerous service awards that had ever been given for
Stargate, and he was a Master of the Pelican. What do you do to
acknowledge eight and a half years of service when the person already
holds all of the service awards? Obviously, give them your sincere and
profuse thanks for a job well done, a nicely calligraphed T-shirt about
being Baron, and in Stargate, give them a Pearl of Great Price.

I now know that there is more than one story behind the Pearl of Great
Price, but I will relate the one Michael and I were told just before we
became Baron and Baroness, updated to reflect the passing of time.

'Nearly 26 years ago, Myrddin, Baron Stargate, commanded that his keep
should be built upon the ruins of an ancient castle in the fair lands
near the sea. Deep within these ruins the workers found a coronet ringed
all around with pearls. When the coronet was lifted it fell to pieces,
but the pearls were all carefully gathered and placed in the Baron's
keeping. Throughout the years the Baron and Baroness would bestow one of
these precious gems to those in their Barony who had served the Stargate
with all of their heart; leading, teaching, and shaping the Barony in a
way that enriched the lives of all who called it home. Only the Baron
and Baroness know how many Pearls are left, and only they decide who
will receive this gift.'

Master Bran de Tintreak, one of the original eight members who founded
the Barony of Stargate, and Baron for eight and a half years, received
his Pearl on September 9, 1995.

Baroness Neassa

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