Tih,

You frame this as though the only "mutual" thing a treaty can recognise is the size of an army. That is a comforting fiction for those who prefer their diplomacy to be nothing more than a receipt for force.

My notice was written plainly, and Speaker Ilsefi has already spoken to the intent behind it: this accord was drafted without tribute, without compulsory service, and without any disguised leash, because an alliance made by compulsion is not an alliance at all.

You say I begged. No, I did not. I agreed because I will not gamble with the lives, customs, and sovereignty of my people on the vanity of outsiders who think being part of something is synonymous with being owned by it.

The offer of alliance from Cyrene was not one of mutual respect, but an offer of slavery and of destruction of the very thing I have fought to protect. I might as well ignore the sacrifice my mother made and walk myself to Mhaldor's gate.

You speak as though Cyrene's interest in the Aalen has always been benign, and as though its history is irrelevant to its present posture. Yet even the public record shows why the Aalen has been a point of contest and "protection" by larger powers, and how quickly vested interest becomes entitlement.

If you wish to continue walking the woods for fires, do so. If you want to raise your strength against threats in the forest, do so. But do not confuse your personal vigilance with the right to dictate the political fate of a people who are not yours.

This treaty does not make the Tsol'aa safe by hiding. It makes our stance unambiguous: we stand with Eleusis by choice, not compulsion, and we will remain what we are, rather than become a cause for Cyrene to wear like a banner.


Tu'eras
King of the Aalen


Penned by my hand on the 8th of Ero, in the year 994 AF.