In the aftermath of the war, my Lord has chosen to pursue several paths,
which, as it seems, it is up to us mortals to explain once more. Ever
does suspicion and haste accompany all judgements passed on my Lord.

Regarding the supposed 'alliance' with Sartan. I truly hope that
everyone in this realm has the capacity to distinguish between the words
"Alliance" and "Ceasefire". But in case that is not so, let me explain.
Alliance: an agreement by which the parties involved enter in a binding
agreement to support each other's interests. Ceasefire: the parties
involved will no longer try to kill each other on sight unprovoked.

What could possibly be the motive for a ceasefire? Only this - that Lord
Twilight does not see a further point in wasting the blood and lives of
His followers by ordering us to attack Sartan. In all likelihood, many
of us will continue to war, should the cities and guilds to which we
belong choose to do so. His willingness to call a cease fire is merely
an indication that He believes that His part in the conflict is over.

You may know that my Father tends to stay away from the usual bustle of
mortal wars, and often is not part of immortal gatherings. But He chose
to step forth now. Why? Is it because the old hatred of Sartan flared
again? (And I really shouldn't remind you all of the many, many wars
that Sartan and Aegis, as allies, waged on my Father some fifty years
ago. Past is, after all, past). Well, that is part of the reason. No
Divine particularly likes being deceived.

But that is not all. Even more grievous than the near destruction of the
Darkenwood forest, which has shaken Him badly, and hurt His childer
equally, was the revelation that He received when He did glance into the
eye of Proteus.

So let us track back to many ages ago, to an insignificant event of old.
In those days long past, when peace was on the land andd the stirrings
of triumverate were already a memory, Lord Sartan and Lord Twilight saw
it fit to exchange two artifacts. One was the eye of Proteus. As Gods
rarely, in my experience, reveal their true intent and purpose to each
other, neither Divine had any knowledge of what the other would do with
the artifact.

What does it mean? It means simply that Lord Twilight was not aware,
could not be aware of the Eye's ability to damage Valnurana. "We don't
believe you!" Some will cry in anger, in pain, in outrage. Yet I do not
ask you to believe just the words. Put your anger aside and consider
this. The one creed that Lord Twilight has always stood by, has always
taught us, has always insisted on, was that Ourania and Valnurana, the
Triad, were His closest allies - and that He would never move to hurt
one of them, no matter what would occur.

I am sure you are imagining Twilight giving the artifact to Sartan,
giggling maliciously "Ooooh, I'm going to show that goddess of dreams!".
What quarrel did Father ever have with Her? What cause would He possibly
have to damage a dear ally?
Yet, consider how convenient it would be for Lord Sartan to infer this.
After all, then the blame of the attack would not be wholly his. In
fact, He knew, quite rightly, that a sense of betrayal can be so strong
that it will overwhelm the hatred towards the atacker - and look how
incredibly useful it turned out to be!

Very useful indeed, and quite the double-edged sword. For once the
Lady's revenge upon my Father was unleashed, She would not speak to Him,
and His side was never heard nor presented. And so, I write this today,
as a mortal, on behalf of my Father. I do not address the Lady
Valnurana, as I am hardly of a stature to lecture a Divine. Instead, I
speak to the Order of Dreams. You are the Children of the Lady just as I
am a child of the Lord. Words, I know, are not sufficient to soothe the
devious wounds and grievous hurt left by Sartan's deception. But let us
SHOW you. Let us show you the truth of our intent. The Triad must be
strong. Now I tell you that its loyalty never wavered. I do not ask for
immediate acceptance. All I ask for is a chance to begin healing a
grievous rift, which shall cause us all much pain in the end.


And finally, to Lady Eris - Your pain is one that every mother lives in
fear of, for our children are our main concern. My thoughts are with
you, regardless of anything that may transpire.

-Silverstorm Trismegistus

Penned by my hand on the 22nd of Miraman, in the year 326 AF.