Speaker of the Heartwood,

You are no coward. You are a dauntless warrior, among the first of your people to stand in the throes of battle, whether it is to defend your home, or to ransack mine. This much I know, and have seen - often first hand - in the past quinquennium. For this, I will offer you this respect, though you offer the Dragon none.

I was not a Spirean when your fae consumed my village, of course. Yet I recall the then-Republic warnings of your Heartwood's actions going unheeded.

They had warned you to cease, yet now yours is an invitation. So, indeed - do not fault us for doing so. We shall come. We will come for your creatures of Dia'ruis, fueled by the heart of a stolen Spirean Senator. We will take what we want, as we did your ylem.

Know that if I were to face the mirror of Death, it would be with a fast smile - confident with the knowledge that my elders would look on my actions with pride.

- Virelen

Penned by my hand on Closday, the 21st of Chakros, in the year 507 MA.