Imperiate,

I congratulate Cyrene on uncovering something of a backbone in the rubble of rebuilding your once occupied city. Were the old goat Verrucht still in charge, I imagine such a stirring decision would have taken the better part of a century to pass the Senate and the constantly swirling forum of public opinion. Democracy is a broken institution at its heart.

We who serve Him are a warring people, and Mhaldorian raids are a certainty in this life. Strength comes from its practice and application. You are, of course, welcome for the catalyst to break your vows of pacifism and improve Cyrene's military standing with the world. You would do well to admit that a small contingent of your citizens hunger for blood themselves, as demonstrated by the Aegeans in your ranks. But denial runs as swiftly as the Muurn River through most mortal settlements.

You may continue to throw yourselves against the walls of the Baelgrim, and become intimate with what the Seven have to teach you. For now, the Symposium between our two cities will proceed as planned. Historians, speakers, and artists should aim to stay alive long enough for this cultural work to complete. I intend to keep my word and carry on the initiatives of my predecessor, the Dread Ecclesiarch Ysela Nithilar, of which I was an architect. We share a common and real enemy in the 'teth, which is more than I can say for the Protean cattle of Hashan, who wait dumbly to be melded into the breeding vats of their future slavers. Their grasp of "free will" and Progress remains tenuous at best.

If you ever truly transgress against Him, you will know. You can expect my visit soon.

His,

Tyrannus Stheno Aristata

Penned by my hand on the 21st of Scarlatan, in the year 835 AF.