Dear Sapience,

Let it be made clear: Arcadia has positioned Erymanthus directly over Cyrene, shadowing our skies with steel and Storm. Their city (and weapon) did not arrive in defense, but in aggression - an act of escalation, not protection. They established their so-called "resistance" not in response to our advances, but as a sword drawn to strike, cloaked in false righteousness and pointed squarely at Cyrene.

For the sake of openness, I will say this: before Arcadia escalated conflicts with our city, several Cyrenians took initiative on behalf of the Empire to free an imprisoned Imperial Officer in Arcadia. Mistakes were made, resulting in the death of a child. On behalf of our citizens, I am ashamed that this happened. Yet, I am proud that our citizens would attempt to free a prisoner of war. Further, we approached the Queen with remorse and suggested an alternative resolution in which we would settle the matter with a battle of champions, and we were rebuked. This all could have ended so easily - but it did not, and I understand the Queen's desire to have her vengeance.

However, to claim moral high ground, standing for the "sanctity of life", while aligning with forces of Chaos is as absurd as it is hypocritical. You would speak of freedom and in the same breath align yourself with an ender of worlds, who would see all Creation robbed of freedom entirely. You raise banners of virtue while sending assassins, charging your genocidal weapon, baselessly accusing Cyrene as the source of the rot, and throwing refuse upon our roads. I have stood in silent opposition, content to rally my own forces until now.

If Arcadia seeks to parade its crusade as righteous and rally the world, then let the world see it for what it truly is: a mask for escalating an ancient Divine war. Accusations of Cyrenian-endorsed Atavian genocide are false. If you seek to assist them in attempting to eradicate our city, you stand with Chaos or have fallen for propoganda, and you will find yourself enemied to Cyrene.

In glory,
Vashnarian Commander Elmer Fortuna

Penned by my hand on the 15th of Sarapin, in the year 979 AF.