Lumarch,

You speak as a mother, but you stand as a leader of Targossas. You will forgive me if I cannot see the former behind the latter. You are part of a cycle of behavior, one that I would forgive you for being unaware of were you perhaps a little younger. But you should be old enough now to have walked along with Targossas through the highs and lows of it for at least one cycle. You, as a Lumarch, carry the weight of decisions made past and present. I would like answers, though I suspect none will be given to any satisfaction.

Where was this defense of "one innocent girl" when Thiesekh loomed? I seem to recall a Cyrenian child offered up quite easily to avert disaster then. Caefir Alyzar, -Lumarch- Karalden, even the knighthood of Targossas itself is built upon the willingness and acceptance of sacrificing a child to avert crisis, with Dame Aeowynn being a glad and active participant. And in the end, what happened? Cyrene and Hashan solved the problem while Targossas refused to cooperate and fought - after being shamed into it - against the Entity alone.

I cannot, in good conscience, congratulate you on turning over this new page of apparently caring for ALL innocents, because I have watched you shuffle through the same tired story until the edges are frayed and dog-eared. Mercy, protection, a higher calling. And then the Light flickers and shifts. Burning whomever for the 'greater Good' with naught but ash left in its wake until the next time it suits to trot out the mask of the protector.

I hope that you protect the girl better than you do prisoners, and - for her sake - that she is only just a girl. Because I know what you all will do for the slightest chance at power or advantage. As does anyone over the age of fifty who pays attention.

- Kog Terias

Penned by my hand on the 21st of Sarapin, in the year 995 AF.