That is in fact the case, yes. "He was loyal," he says, determinedly ignoring the pang that came to his chest at his use of the past tense. "Ay, loyal and funny and brave and charming, when it suited him; he and I could take each other word for word when we had a mind to it." He pauses, considering this for a moment or two. "I loved him," he says, plainly. "As a brother, as a friend. He was easy to love."