Shallam, A few months ago, my husband found one of your orphans
wandering about outside of my home. He brought her in and we cooked for
her, gave her fine clothing, and she played her way into our hearts. She
blossomed from the sick and pale little street urchin she once was into
our Rose, my adopted daughter. We asked for paperwork to make our
adoption formal and no one from Shallam would speak to us.

Then, in the dead of night, amidst a party for what we deemed to be
Rose's 'first' birthday celebration, we were attacked by Altarius in our
own home! He came in and attempted to give our Rosie candles and lead
her away back to the streets of Shallam, or Handel's awaiting choir
practices! And she didn't even wish to go! She didn't need rescuing
(kidnapping I call it), she needed one of your social bureaucrats to
help us finalize our adoption! Now. Altarius is 1. An enemy of Ashtan
and 2. Was trespassing in our home. So he was slain rightfully under the
Law of our city. We were just being good citizens and parents. And yes,
he ended up dead because of his sins against us and it.

Now, please tell me: Since I did not enter your city at any time, since
I did not "steal" Rosie (her full name is now Rose Evalyn Ze'Dekiah by
the way) but found her and took care of her, what crime was I found
guilty of and enemied for? And how does this aid our poor daughter who
is still caught up in the bureacracy of your city and its discrimination
against us as parents?

Flair and I grow old. In fact, his old raja eyes will soon not even be
able to make out the path to your gates. We only wish to live with our
daughter in peace in the time we have left, and maybe someday take her
to visit those in Shallam who were kind to her once, and repay them for
their charity. Why must you persecute our good-willed intentions? And to
what end?

Penned by my hand on the 25th of Chronos, in the year 411 AF.