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<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>My Friends,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>I'm sure you have all heard the sad news.
Our former Kingdom Bard, Dona Antonio, lost her husband and soulmate, Don
Benedict in the early morning hours of April 16 after a long battle with colon
cancer. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>As someone who considers herself a friend
to Antonio, I am saddened by the pain she must be feeling. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>As a historian, I am moved by the
necessity to add another Fallen Star to my never ending list of those who have
played our Dream and gone on to other Dreams in other planes of existance.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>As a bard, I feel the need to express
some of what the man was and meant to us in words. What follows is my attempt to
satisfy all 3 urges at the same time. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>Alden, you told me that you are turning
your hand to putting together a second volume of "Voices of the Star". I would
be honored if you might include this effort of mine to honor this man who meant
so much to so many.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>Annes</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=center><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG><FONT size=4>A Lay for a
Don<BR></FONT></STRONG><FONT size=1>By H.L. Annes Clotilde von
Bamburg</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=center><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=center><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>On a field of Black and
Gold<BR>This tale will be told<BR>Of a Don, both Great and Bold<BR>Who the heart
of His Lady did Hold</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=center><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG></STRONG></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=center><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>He was big of Body, Soul and
Mind<BR>He was Gentle--Loving--Kind<BR>To His Lady, Love’s own Find,<BR>Now Gone
before his Time</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=center><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG></STRONG></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=center><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>We remember his grace upon the
Field,<BR>We remember the blades that he did wield<BR>We remember The Queens his
arms did shield<BR>We remember the service he did yield</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=center><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG></STRONG></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=center><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>We honor his name with a place
in our heart<BR>We honor the Man now drawn apart<BR>Others must finish things he
did start<BR>Don Benedict Ashton<BR>Fallen Star and White
Scarf</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=center><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG></STRONG></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=center><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG></STRONG></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=center><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG></STRONG></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=center><FONT face=Arial
size=2><STRONG> <BR></STRONG></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>