Karleens Reign.

Karleen's reign had begun when her sister Queen Arerto finally succumbed to her wounds four months after the battle had been fought. When Arerto had taken her last breath she was surrounded by family and friends and now was the day of the funeral. The Queen's casket had been placed in the throne room so that those citizens who wished could come and pay their respects. Six warriors would act as pallbearers but at the moment four guards stood at each corner of the casket. The throne room started to fill up with the advisors and council and they all walked past heads bowed uttering prayers for Arerto. In the background, a lament was being played as the time drew near for the casket to be taken to the wagon which would then proceed from the palace to the temple. The six warriors marched solemnly into the throne room and faced the casket on both sides while Karleen draped it in a Freeconian flag and placed Arerto's crown on top.

This done the warriors reached grabbed the brass handles at the four corners and two in the middle and slowly and gently raised the casket onto their shoulders. Then they slowly marched forward taking Arerto on her last journey through the palace and along hallways lined with servants and warriors who stood at attention with heads bowed. Behind them, Karleen followed with tears in her eyes her face hidden by a veil and behind her came King Frederick and Queen Chasin from Galtion. Following them were King Gideon and Queen Alyse from Germite and behind them King Damen from Targarian. Karleen had invited the four mayors from Hypernia who followed behind Damen. Then came the council and military leaders and finally Bella and Selina came last. The funeral procession headed out into the early morning light and the warriors carrying the casket slowly and gently laid it on the bed of the wagon. Behind the wagon, a stable hand had brought Ghanos out of the stable and he would follow behind to the temple.

Arerto's boot had been secured to her saddle and they had been placed facing backwards to signify the fallen leader looking back on their troops for the last time. The musicians started to play funeral tunes as the procession made its way from the palace and out through the gate into the city where people had been waiting for hours. Behind the procession, the military joined marching in ranks and although they all wanted to be there one unit from each brigade would represent the whole. Behind the army came the navy again each ship represented by just a few crew members. Behind these came the academy instructors and cadets. Karleen had planned for Huron to be brought out but as if he knew that his mistress had died he had also given up and had died. Behind the cadets came the merchants who had at times butted heads with the Queen but had always remained loyal and did their best to help with her reforms. Lastly bringing up the rear came the children.

As the procession passed by the crowds fell silent with some onlookers tossing flowers onto the wagon until it was covered with a floor of mixed blooms. The procession wound through the streets going through the town square the military lining the crowds to keep them a safe distance. The journey took fifteen minutes and luckily the weather was fine but even if rained the crowds would have come out for Arerto. They stopped outside the temple where Karleen led the mourners inside while the casket was removed from the wagon and slow-walked into the temple where it was lowered onto a marble plinth and then they each took a step back and stood at ease heads bowed. The priestess started as the musicians stop playing welcoming everyone to the temple on such a sad day and then invited Karleen to step up and say a few words. Karleen stood up from her seat and walked to the front of the temple and looked at the casket draped in the Freeconian Flag.

#Ladies and gentlemen what can I say about Queen Arerto? She was the Queen to everyone in Freeconia but to me and Chasin she was also our older sister. She strived to be a fair Queen and also the protector of her citizens and the kingdom. She thought it an honour to defend Galtion when they were threatened and she paid the ultimate price. They say the victors write the history and many would say that we vanquished a morally corrupt society but we did not vanquished a morally corrupt individual. Now we are friends with Hypernia and they have embraced peace alongside all our allies. My sadness is that my sister did not get to see this outcome but I am sure she is looking down on us now smiling and would want us to move forward. She brought forth changes to our traditions which I as Queen will respect. I will miss our fun times of walks in the gardens of the palace and the strolls amongst the people of Freeconia. Rest in peace Queen Arerto rest in peace sister.# Karleen headed back to her seat and Chasin then walked to the front.

# My sister Karleen has said it well and I have little to add. When I told my sister that I planned to marry a man she did not throw a fit she accepted this and she had four choices. Together we came to the best choice for not only us but for the Kingdom of Freeconia and although I can no longer rule Freeconia my sister Karleen will do a great job. That final battle was hard for everyone King Feodre gave his life for his Kingdom and Galtion has a new King in my husband Frederick. Our union has brought both Freeconia and Galtion closer and we have a special friendship which I am sure will prosper under Queen Karleen and my husband. Of my sister, I can say that she could be a hothead and sometimes stubborn but she was always loyal to her family and the people of Freeconia and I shall miss her a lot. One day my sister we will be reunited and again we can chat and take walks in the gardens of heaven. Rest in peace Queen Arerto, Rest in peace my sister.# The last person to speak was not a high official but sub-commander Glinda.

# I remember the night I first met Queen Arerto when I was sneaking around the corridors and was caught. When she opened her door I had no idea she was the Queen. It was only when she summoned her servant Bella and told her to get food and a bath and then a room. When Bella replied Yes your majesty I was stunned. She was like no royal I had ever met and was very kind but exuding confidence which put me at ease. I soon found myself in the Academy training to be a warrior. And as they say, the rest is history and here I am. I can safely say that Queen Arerto saved my life and gave me a purpose even though at the time I could not see it myself. She offered me an immediate position in the royal guard but I told her that I wanted to earn it on my own and she liked this very much. So my Queen I thank you very much for saving my life and giving me a second chance to be someone who is respected. Rest in peace, my Queen and enjoy your well-earned rest.# The service ended with some hymns and then the casket was reloaded onto the wagon for its final journey to the hero's park.

The casket was placed inside the mausoleum at the base of the statue for all the Freeconian heroes alongside past Queens. Arerto was laid to rest beside her mother Queen Alcippe. With the official ceremony ended everyone headed back to where ever they needed to be but the children were being led past the tomb and laying wreaths and single flowers. This would have warmed Arerto's heart if she could have seen it as she strongly believed that the children were the future. Karleen led the royals back to the palace and they sat down for a subdued feast and regaled each other with stories of Arerto and some funny moments. It was obvious that they would all miss her in their own ways and remember her in their own ways. Karleen had decided that she would keep Bella and Selena as her maids. Tomorrow was another busy day with more ceremonies for her coronation and then it would sink in that Arerto had really passed on the crown.