My dear Verrucht, Solar, and Shallam,

Although you, with bloodstained hands, nevertheless cast the stones of
accusation, I must tell you this. We have all hunted, it is the way of
the world, we have all engaged in combat with those upon this continent
and slayed them, or have been slain by them. This is a truth of
Sapience, and I do not forsee it changing.

The Vertani have done something far beyond hunting, they have
extinguished a mighty flame, they have razed to the ground the history
and home of a mighty people. This is not a truth of Sapience, it is a
threat from outside, and it must be stopped.

All of us bear the guilt of slaying another free person of Sapience, the
only tempering of "goodness" is that they have arbitrary distinctions of
where that person might come from. Now is not the time for blame but for
unity.

Do not excuse your cowardice with distaste for Ashtan, you already know
the evils which face the continent as a whole. A fear of the Vertani and
their capabilities is understandable, but now is the time to master the
fear and have courage that the destruction of Thera demands from every
capable adult Achaean.

I am heartened by those former-friends that already reject their
affiliations under the burden of Thera's weight. I urge them to rally to
our cause whether Shallam does or not. The people of Thera died free,
which is better than to live in servitude.

For Thera,

Mendax Mendacis

Penned by my hand on the 21st of Glacian, in the year 385 AF.