Honorable sir,

I confess to being somewhat confused. I read Ser Aerek's post, and it feels like it's addressed to a different man. I've been very forthcoming in my application, which I suppose must now be discussed publicly for some reason. From the start, I am told I am viewed as a breaker of oaths, which I am not, and demonstrably so. This is now a view which begins to be echoed publicly outside the context of my exchanges with the Council. I do not know where this narrative arose, but I have my suspicions.

You misunderstand me, sir. Perhaps this is the problem. I have not selected Cyrene as an enemy. My enmity to my home city is forced by divine hand, with no crime committed, no accusations judged. My enemy is Lord Neraeos and His oppressive, unjust and tyrannical dominion, and even this is not something that I consider to have brought about myself. Only after great effort, and having exhausted all civility, must this opposition be firmly and relentlessly manifested.

Words may be cheap, but they are all I have against such a foe. Even this would get robbed from me.
As it so happens, words are also the best weapon against a tyranny, which must be shown for how ridiculous it is and laughed at as it deserves.

I have not asked what may be done to demonstrate my mettle. I am simply here demonstrating it.

I also happen to believe the world would be a better place were more of the things that needed mocking be mocked, lest they start to believe they are in any way acceptable. As it stands, the world has few problems with it already, as long as it's directed towards someone seen as beneath you. Perhaps it's time to start to mock upwards, instead.

While I don't believe I've belittled the cause of any comrades (which I know few of, these days), I offer you these words, which someone I looked up to wrote, at one point. I will not name them, as it is on them to acknowledge:

"These are the demands of a Tyrant. Assurances have been offered that we should not expect to take these in the literal sense. Yet they were delivered by Him to the world, publicly, through His most devout. I find no comfort in the future such a Charter promises, nor in the contradictions that followed.
[...] I have served under a Tyrant before, willfully out of ignorance, and otherwise. I do not intend to do so again."

I do not expect to obtain any assent or endorsements. Nor will I amend my path, or abandon my cause for the benefit of adhering to the guild. I must first be accountable to my own conscience.

As such, I respectfully withdraw my request to the Council.


Yours,
Riahn Aegocerus


Penned by my hand on the 17th of Glacian, in the year 996 AF.