I am writing with regard to this Shallam-Ashtan argument. We all are
grieving over what happened in Thera. There were many innocent people
who died in Thera. We also lost a village that has played an important
part in our culture and history. However, before you start pointing
fingers at Shallamese, I would like you to consider my personal point of
view as an everyday Shallamese.

I have seen Ashtani bringing Theran soldiers into Shallam and yelling
about how they will kill Shallamese. They walk around with those
soldiers inside Shallam and yelling all those offensive words, with
little regards about how the Shalamese would feel about it. All these
happened while Ashtan/Mhaldor are already officially in war with the
Vertani, as if some of you Ashtani have nothing better to do. You are
guests in our city, and yet you showed a total disrespect for the hosts.

I attended a sermon once at the Basillica in Shallam. It was a pretty
good sermon done by an aspiring young priest. Halfway through the
sermon, several Ashtani started joining us, then they started booing,
jeering, and mocking the speaker and those who were there. Again, this
happened while Ashtan/Mhaldor are in war with the Vertani.

There has been a number of raids against Shallam, in which some Ashtani
were also involved in attacking Shallam. Again, this happened while
Ashtan/Mhaldor are in war with the Vertani.

Now tell me, how am I supposed to sympathize with you, Ashtan? On one
hand, I agree with you that innocent lives have been lost. On the other
hand, I feel that some of you deserved the treatment you are receiving.
It's a real tragedy that the innocent lives of the Therans must pay the
ultimate price for your inconsiderate actions.

You are pursuing your so-called "freedom" at the expense or other
people's freedom. You showed a total disregard of other people's
freedoms. Your notion of freedom contradicts freedom itself.

I am not going to continue this Shallam-Ashtan argument anymore. I think
it's pretty much pointless, but before you start pointing fingers at
Shallam, you need to look at yourself and deal with those few who may
(or perhaps may not) misrepresent your city.


Artaure

Penned by my hand on the 22nd of Glacian, in the year 385 AF.