I thank you for your words of respect, Overseer, and would like to address the following discrepancies in your statement, that you might be able to clarify any misunderstandings.

1) "...he was still considered a citizen de facto [of Ashtan]..."

If this is the case, Overseer, why was I continuously and relentlessly attacked by members of the Council of Archons, claiming to act on behalf of the city? Of further and more current curiosity, would this not be in direct contradiction to your personally stated wishes that no citizen of Ashtan should harm another citizen, anywhere, for any reason? It also begs inquiry into recent rumors that an Edict of Total Non-aggression was enacted, in direct opposition to the results of a general-populace referendum in Ashtan which stated that the citizens prefered the opposite extreme, by a rather impressive margin?


2) "...he chose to... remove himself and his loyal subjects from... Ashtan to take their residence in Hashan..."

The two actions, in actuality, were unrelated. Myself and my Knights sought to leave Ashtan, and did so. Several months later, we recieved a very flattering invitation from Hashan, for reasons known only to the government of Hashan. I have personally accepted the invitation, and advised the Knights of the Battalion that they may accept or refuse the invitation as they like, at this time.


3) "...I wish to question Raajin what he is identifying the Exodus Battalion as."

I refer you to CLANHELP THE EXODUS BATTALION, and public articles 7100 and 7147 for information about the identity and purpose of the Battalion. I might further suggest, in the future, that a post, letter, or message to me will likely yield a more expedient and less terse response than a post to Seneschal Neokove, when there something you wish to "question Raajin" about.


4) "Formerly slaves to Ashtan who are seeking freedom in the promised land of Hashan?... Ashtan never deprived Raajin of his freedom of speech or his right to get re-elected as Guildmaster."

My dear madam, I do hope this is not an attempt at a direct quote of any form, nor any form of paraphrase. Any whom have ever read my past words know that words which I speak either publicly or privately are exacting and diplomatic -- and this is not by accident. My statements have been clear and direct, and have gone to great lengths to avoid making any statements intended to expose or accuse scandal or blatant misconduct of any kind, despite many rumors which have abounded privately from the lips of others. I have stated that there has been a fundamental disagreement betwixt my Knights and the government of Ashtan, and I invite you to leave it at that... lest the proverbial "can of worms" be opened which you may find to be beyond your ability to close.


5) "Ashtan never deprived Raajin of his... right to get re-elected as Guildmaster..."

Quite true, though it was certainly not for a lack of trying. I refer you to Ashtan News #1063 and #1067. In #1063, you reiterate the accord which states "All Guildmasters and guild Secretaries of these [Ashtan] guilds will be citizens of Ashtan." That ambiguous bit of text could easily be applied to mean that Ashtan might respect the wishes of the Infernals to have me as their Guildmaster, and thus revoked my city-enemy status. The government of Ashtan chose instead, to make the following statement in #1067 by Archon Dalamar: "...the Infernals will need to present a Guild Master who bears the title of Citizen of Ashtan." (It is interesting to note that when this decree was issued on behalf of Ashtan, no one arose within the Infernals to challenge my leadership. Further "proof" of my "corrupting influence", no doubt, rather than proof that a government is only empowered by the consent of the governed.)


6) "By taking up citizenship in Hashan, Raajin is making himself a fugitive"

I beg to differ, madam. I am quietly and correctly serving the terms of my sentence from the Royal Court of Ashtan, which stated that I was to be exiled from the city-state for a period not to exceed ten years, including time already served. Perhaps my memory fails me, but I recall no mention of a condition of the exile which stated that I must spend that ten years standing outside the gates of Ashtan, waiting to be ambushed by another Archon, as opposed to continuing my life to the best possible extent during my exile. If you wish to pinpoint a moment in time at which my "exile" ceased to become such, I would direct you the moment at which I publicly stated, in this forum, that I would never again have a relationship with the city of Ashtan -- a point in time which preceeded my citizenship in Hashan by several months.


7) "Ashtan has respected the treaty by sacrificing a valued citizen, Tranquility, who was both Archon and Minister of Security. It is right that Ashtan expects the same reciprocity from Hashan." ... "Not to mention whether it is according to the agreement that Raajin can become a citizen of Hashan yet, also the city of Ashtan has never been informed of Raajin's status in Hashan, neither privately nor publicly."

Whilst I am certain that the elected officials of Hashan would be more than willing to explain the flaws in the above lines of reasoning, I have heard it mentioned by both the Seneschal and the Trisagia that Hashan's Regents have recently been kept quite preoccupied, for some odd reason. Thus, if you so desire, I invite you to walk with me to view both the Common Law and the Great Canon of Hashan, that your confusion on these various matters might be illuminated -- I feel certain that all of Hashan would be honoured by your visit.


-- R. Lucoster




Penned by my hand on the 16th of Glacian, in the year 261 AF.