Cities of Sapience,

While you cry thief and bemoan your personal losses, the rest of the world prepares to move on. Your loss was temporary, and material - not justification, just fact. I understand even the anger you bring to bear against us. Still, this is war. Given the option to irradicate multiple generals of the enemy, would you not take it KNOWING there was a cost? How many of you can say they have not, or would not, take such risks to be rid of such fetid enemies?

I undertstand the rails against us, the outrage. I understand the emotions, in part. Still, I see no reason why we should have consulted any of you. When, in your own scheming, have you thought to the Dragon?

For all that you have claimed to have lost - we are in the process of repairing the damage. There is loss in war, and I do not see the citizens of your cities tearing down their walls because they did not like the cost of how you defended them. Why, then, do all of you who know little of the truth of events move so quick to bite the hand that ultimately sheltered them.

Yes, there was fire and flame. Yes, there was loss, of land and Ylem. In WHAT war is there none? Your own Gods have destroyed countless lives in waging their battles over how many years into history? Where is your Senator taken from you, never to wake again?

Your gain was monumental - even the refugees displaced have taken advantage of the price paid for their Freedom.

What wold you have done, when presented an option to irradicate the enemy? I am not certain many, given the choices we were, the knowledge we have, would have turned aside.

I do not belittle the loss incurred to wage this war - we have all paid on one front or another. And some of that loss was by our own hands, yes. Still, this is war. Or did we forget?

I shake my head that you, who would make your own selfish decisions for your own selfish reasons, you who would bring this Shadow to our step, death to your neighbors, and ignorance to your own hearts, dare to claim you would do any different. I shake my head at those of you I call friend - still to this moment - think so little of those you once held in the same regard.

For the rest of Sapience with an ear - We are the Dragon in the North. We are the last bastion of reason and thought, and we stand, open to those who would put aside emotion for pursuit of knowledge.

Until my soul departs, I will stand at this gate and face all You have to offer, Sapience. There is no fear here, no malice, and certainly no yielding to the tantrum you raise. Bring your Mjoll's, your armies and your hammers. We are unafraid.

Be wary of the sleeping Dragon, Sapience.


Aros Riahl,
the White Rose
Strategos

Penned by my hand on Falsday, the 1st of Ios, in the year 505 MA.