Hingar, a Vertani Diplomat of House Kortul, recently began a campaign
of writing and talking in explanation, defense, justification, and
apology for the recent destruction of Thera.

At the peak of the discussion, carried out in guilds, cities, and
in the public news, Hingar made a joyous and hopeful announcement:
The elusive but all-desirable goal of peace with Ashtan had come a
full step closer!

The Vertani diplomat explained that he had offered to move towards
a non-hostile stance with Ashtan, and to do so first, as a gesture
of good will. Ashtan promised to consider the proposal and to match
the cessation of hostilities upon due consideration by their leaders.

Over a period of several days, the indications continued hopeful, as
Hingar claimed again that peace was nearing between Ashtan and Vertan,
and that this would be the first step towards true peace for all.

He also announced that the Vertani proposed to begin rebuilding
Thera.

This was met with both hope and hostility, as some feared the first
steps of the Vertani 'rebuilding' effort were only a prelude to
further war, in the form of a Vertani fortress in the now-smoking
ruins of Thera.

Vertani priests were seen again in public for the first time in
many months as well. This was seen as another hopeful sign. Achaeans
flocked to them to receive the blessing of learning the Vertani
language.

The House Kortul diplomat Hingar then took a bold step and walked
the countryside of Sapience without Vertani forces in escort.

Through a series of meetings across the main continent which
culminated in Cyrene, Achaeans of all cities met and spoke with
Hingar.

After the last stop in the tour, Hingar began his walk across
the realms to return to his people - a walk which was to be his
last.

Along a "Desolate Path" coming out from Cyrene, an Ashtani by the
name of Estach approached Diplomat Hingar with a friendly "Hi!"

The sky grew dark as Estach called upon powerful magics. Raising
his hands balefully, he caused lightning bolts, the hammer of the
storm, to shoot from his hands and slam into the hapless Hingar.

Within a few moments it was over, for the victim was no fighter.
Little did the erstwhile-assassin know how very true that was!

For as the lifeless corpse fell, and the little mementos of
Hingar's trip across the continent tumbled out from his corpse
- a heavy gold ring symbolising friendship, a whimsical pair of
boxers, a child's teddy bear, a butterfly net, and various
commodities that had been collected for the rebuilding of Thera -
as this all transpired, something very strange followed.

The corpse of Hingar began to change, dissolving into the form
of a priest!

Apparently this was not Hingar at all, but some sort of
masquerade: a fact which Hingar himself later confirmed, lamenting
two great losses of the day: the progress towards peace with Ashtan,
and the death of a truly innocent priest who had volunteered, knowing
the risk to himself.

Is this a momentary detour on the rocky road to peace for Sapience?
Or is this the beginning of a new round of fighting? Only time will
tell.

Penned by my hand on the 1st of Miraman, in the year 386 AF.