Mistral,
Landing troops in Thera does not confirm that the leaders of said troops have been involved in any "conspiracy". It means that the troops are part of organisations that value freedom and oppose dictatorship and are willing to help the Theran's take this back. If the Church supports them, it doesnt mean they are part of a conspiracy, it means they are upholding everything they have ever stood for, VALUES...

Unless the people of Thera confirm your words, and admit that their Mayor was corrupted and was leading them down the path to war, unless they speak up and say to Sapiance "The Blacksmith does NOT represent us, nor our wishes" - Unless these things happen, the rest of Achaea is going to believe you are simply expanding your borders for want of power, and power only.

And with that belief - of course Ashtan will be opposed.

Caled Tiercel

Penned by my hand on the 24th of Miraman, in the year 263 AF.