Alleged Lord Marshal,

Though I understand the need to flex your strength occasionally, do you
not think Mhaldor might be able to find slightly more worthy opponents?
I realise the city is scraping the barrel somewhat of late in terms of
military might - hence, of course, your own appointment - but an Order
of hunters and a city founded on avoidance of conflict? Come now.

I of course mean no disrespect to the Lupines or the city of Cyrene, and
I dearly hope they'll forgive me any offence caused by this post, but
they're hardly the most combat adept organisations I am sure we can all
agree, and nor do either of them actively seek conflict. Indeed, the
Lupines as an Order chose to visibly stay out of the most recent chapter
of the war between Evil and Nature, despite loud Eleusian grumbling; and
Cyrene as a city have long maintained their stance of uninvolvement in
the various global conflicts that spring up around them - a stance I've
found personally chafing a number of times previously in the various
posts I've held.

I understand too, of course, that sometimes an organisation's members
will act against another organisation and risk bringing its ire upon
their own, but I would find this a rather hypocritical justification,
and one even less convincing than the wishy washy nonsense brought
forward in your post - an insult and a defence by a Lupine of her own
sanctuary as a priest? - considering Mhaldor's continued informal
alliance with Ashtan.

Why don't you just admit to us all the truth, Des? Nobody will think
less of you if you admit Mhaldor's weakness, or their dependence on
their benefactors in the north. Most people, I'm sure, would in fact
find it hard to think less of you for anything, given their opinion of
you already.

While I do appreciate the irony of Apollyon's city being so unwilling to
suffer, this blustering show of bravado is fooling nobody. You, like
Malaphus, would do better to posture instead in front of the mirror to
save yourself further public embarrassment.


Regards,

Sir Silas Maynard

Penned by my hand on the 1st of Scarlatan, in the year 510 AF.