Dear Lady Overseer,

Having full assurance of faith in those who do lead us, and yet not
placing them on or above those pedastals reserved for only the Worthy, I
believe that any Shallamese acting so as to destroy Ashtan guards, does
so of their own volition, and not as a city-wide measure against your
city. If it were war, we would indeed vote, as we are fond of the
freedom and high privilege of directing ourselves as a group, under the
very capable leadership that we do have.

Having said thus, I myself have reigned my more feral proneness to lash
out at another city's guards based on the fact that my own city's guards
and mages have been slaughtered. Instead, I think to myself and speak to
my heart saying, "How does it prevent attack to kill those who have
sworn to stay in their cities and defend their citizenship as our guards
do?" The answer that resounds back is simple: It does not prevent attack
to destroy in such a manner. I was one of those who died in an attempt
to defend my city, and though my body be small in might, as many of us
here, not so my convictions or courage.

As someone who has studied so often and so thoroughly, the intricate
workings of our world, I am surprised and saddened at your reasoning in
this situation. I will not go to Ashtan to 'terrorize', but I will swing
my swords at the necks of those who pass our city-limits with intent to
threaten our way of life here. My soul longs for better things, does not
yours?

With the humble hope of those better things,
a Citizen of the Jewel

Penned by my hand on the 19th of Glacian, in the year 309 AF.