Piasa was an important person in my coming of age. From my adolescent mind, I still hear her words regarding life and commitment, and the path of finding one’s soul. Her wisdom was as deep as the roots of the Chugiak Mountains that guard her home; her heart soared with the eagles who watched the skies. She was an old soul who had much to offer all of us. Sadly, the one lesson she never shared with me was her spaghetti sauce and I will regret that I never convinced her that I was worthy of such knowledge.

But Piasa was not seriousness and shamanism. She taught me to have fun- that life is fun- that life was meant to be enjoyed- that it was too short to spend your minutes idling away with negativity and discontent. There is just too much more to see and explore.

I met Piasa one night during a very cold Captaincy Tourney. The Trolls had come in force, and their presence was, well, they were who they were and how they were. After various parties settled in for the night, Morgana and I found ourselves talking with a quiet lady holding a guitar- her name was Piasa, and the friendship formed on that night between the snores of Rellik and Shapur screaming in his sleep about how we needed to arms ourselves against the government infiltrates.

The summer of 1983 I lived between Eskalya and Selviergard. It was there that Piasa introduced me to “Spice Rum,” and “hangover cures.” One of my favorite memories was when she woke me up very late in the evening to say, “we are leaving.” Putting on my shoes, we ventured in out on a night of exploration and intrigue. We arrived home to Ulric and Flynx sitting there wondering at our quiet disappearance and mysterious appearance. We stated emphatically that we never left- they had merely dreamed our absence. Like a dragon protecting her brood, I always knew that she was watching out for me as I learned to discover myself. Then I returned to Winter’s Gate, and convinced everyone that we needed to carpool down to Selviergard for a lovely little festival. I had told Piasa I would bring “a few friends.”

8 cars and 40+ people later, we showed up ready to play. Piasa, the ever gracious host, gave us an event never to forget but did not hesitate to hit me on the head with a wooden spoon at least once for deceiving her during this moment of glory. I don’t think that I was ever prouder of a reprimand.

It was also Piasa who coined the term “trollops,” which means “the women of the trolls.”

As much as I remained a member of Winter’s Gate, my heart always lived in Selviergard. It was a place of comfort and friendship; a place to seek and receive advice. A place of safety and spaghetti. There was always one more bed for a late night arrival, and a drink to warm the spirits.

As the eons progressed and we all went on separate ways, I only became reminded of Piasa’s words as I have started to reach my middle years. With the scares that come from being a more mature woman, I fondly remember Piasa reminding me to remember what is on the plate and what is on the table. Serve yourself what you can eat for right now, and then put the rest away until you are ready to feast upon those potions next. Never waste food, but never ignore what it before you. Just simply, take what you can as you can- you can not do more than that.

Piasa always knew that good food and good wine was always the way into my heart. A cheesecake could cure most ails, and chocolate . . . chocolate was the feast of the gods.

I have not seen Piasa since I left Alaska but I know that if I had returned, I would have shown up, and she would have served spaghetti and she would have lectured me about my latest stupid antic but then, she would have said, “but I love you anyway.”

I love you too Piasa, and I am sorry that we can not break bread until I find you on the other side. You will be missed.

Lady Lazerina de Montfort Van Halen