First of all, to Qeddwyn, thank you for your words of inspiration and
your plea on the behalf of our city. Your words have given me new hope.
Now, to those who have joined with the fighters and mockers against
Ashtan. You have launched this campaign against us, claiming that we are
corrupt or some such nonsense. In truth, Ashtan was a peacful city that
believed in freedom for all. It is a place where many people met loves,
and lost loves. It is a place where families were raised, indeed my own
children were raised there. It is a place where friendships flourished,
where we grew close to each other. It is a place called home to many of
us. Ashtan is not just walls and buildings. It is memories, experiences,
and people. It was we who banded together, many of us sacrificing much,
to build an arena long before any other city.
Perhaps we loved peace a little to much, for many of us were lacking in
the skills to wage war. This is why, in our most desperate hour, when
the odds were stacked against us, we turned to desperate measures. Am I
proud of the tactics we used? No, but it is far better than to give in,
lose hope, and let our city, our home, be destroyed by the hoardes of
our enemies.
I for one will remain loyal to Ashtan, my home, until the end. Even when
the city has been razed, and her memory long faded from the memory of
the average mortal, I will not forget. I call out to those remaining who
still have a place in their hearts for Ashtan, do not forget her. Keep
her burning within your hearts. Do not lose hope.
Hail Ashtan,
Bragon O'Lyryus

Penned by my hand on the 15th of Haernos, in the year 124 MA.