The Farewell Feast

The Queen's Voyage

In universe date:

Real-world date: 18 August 2026

Author: Percival van der Berg

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After several days of travel, I finally arrived once more within Kheta-Kedet, where I was greeted with considerably more ceremony than I had anticipated.

As promised, Queen Semet had arranged a celebration for both my arrival and her impending departure. The streets were filled with preparations, tables were assembled, and an astonishing variety of food and drink was laid out for the people.

Wat een ontvangst...

The festivities were clearly more than entertainment. The abundance displayed Kheta-Kedet's prosperity, while the gathering itself brought neighbors together and strengthened the bonds between them. Children ran between the tables, musicians filled the streets with song, and citizens shared food freely with their neighbors.

The celebration also carried a distinctly religious character. Prayers and offerings were made to the Six Khedeti Gods, with priests reminding the people of their duties toward one another, their civilization, and their Queen.

Eventually, I was led to the royal table, where Semet invited me to sit alongside her.

I accepted with considerable pride.

To be seated beside the Queen before her people was an honor I had certainly not expected when I first arrived in Kedet. As the celebration continued, I found myself enjoying the occasion more than anticipated. It was difficult not to admire the warmth with which the people celebrated together, especially knowing that their Queen would soon be leaving them for many months.

At one point, I turned toward Semet and found her watching her people.

Her veil concealed her expression from nearly everyone, yet from where I sat, I could make out the faintest suggestion of a smile.

Not the courteous expression of a Queen addressing her subjects, but a genuine smile.

For a moment, she seemed less like a goddess and more like a woman simply looking upon the people she loved. There was a sincerity in her expression that I found strangely comforting.

I could not help but chuckle softly.

She turned toward me.

"What are you laughing about?"

I shook my head.

"Nothing. We should enjoy the festival."

She studied me for a moment before returning her attention to the celebration.

Soms zegt een glimlach meer dan duizend woorden.

The festivities continued well into the afternoon before finally coming to an end. As the tables were cleared and the final prayers were offered, the streets gradually began to quiet.

Then came the moment we had both been preparing for.

We gathered our belongings and made our final preparations for the journey ahead. Months would pass before we saw Kedet again, and neither of us could know what awaited us beyond the horizon.

Before boarding, I took one final look toward the city. The thought crossed my mind that this might be the last time Semet would see her homeland for quite some time.

She stood beside me in silence.

As our vessel pulled away from the shore, I considered where we ought to begin our journey. There are countless nations I could introduce her to, but perhaps there is no better place to begin than the one I know best.

Koperdam.

My home.

I have spent months showing Semet the world through my maps and stories. Now, I believe it is time she saw where those maps were made.

Eerst thuis. Dan de wereld.

With that decided, I turned my attention toward the voyage ahead.

The Queen's Voyage had begun.

Translation Notes

Wat een ontvangst...

What a reception...

Soms zegt een glimlach meer dan duizend woorden.

Sometimes a smile says more than a thousand words.

Eerst thuis. Dan de wereld.

Home first. Then the world..