Ambassador,

I shall provide a courteous reply to your observations from the eyes of one on the battlefield, a field you have not tread.

Allow me to provide a recollection of events for you:

We sat within your city in open challenge of your ideals, and placed a tank at the center of your art gallery, visible to all. Our sanction ended, and yet our tank remained.

In the months that followed, we challenged whenever your combatants were present and awake, hoping to incur a defense and further our efforts with this tank. It took time, as we have witnessed.

I must commend Sir Ulvin, Maedhros, Tsia, Syla, Sohl, Dunn, and Archaeon for their defense of the Seat, regardless of their misguided ideals and infrequent temperamental outbursts... at least with the last two. They understand that action speaks louder than words inked on a public board.

A word of caution to the populace of Ashtan, free of charge: if you allow your city to sink into petty squabbles of honour and strategy, you doom yourselves far more effectively than any external enemy could manage.

The tank has been detonated. What is your Northern phrase? The Wheel turns.

The question remains whether the rest of Ashtan will rise to meet us, or continue with commentary from the sidelines.

A. Blackstone

Penned by my hand on the 1st of Lupar, in the year 989 AF.