[Morde]

*A notice has been posted in prominent, public areas of Al'Shadiya, proclaiming the formal banning of a foreign body. These places include the bank, harbor, and the public bath house.*

"Let it be known upon this day, the ninth of the sixth month, that the foreign visitor known as Skorgi, aka General Skorgi, is no longer welcome within Al'Shadiya, nor the kingdom of Andus until further notice. The foreigner of the north has chosen to disrespect and corrupt the sacred fountain within the estate of Shad'ahan by bathing within it. He is a seven foot tall aelfyn with pale skin and silver hair. If he is witnessed inside the kingdom, alert authorities immediately so he may be removed."

Signed and sealed,

Herald Sylise

---

*Riders are sent to the north, bearing a letter with the seal of Andus upon it. They arrive in the city of Drokkburg and head immediately to the Drokburg estate to deliver it.*


"Dear Queen Daciana von Ciora,

It is with disappointment that I bring this news to you. From this day forward, dated ninth of the sixth month, General Skorgi is hereby banned from Al'Shadiya, as well as the kingdom of Andus. He has disrespected and corrupted the sacred fountain that resides within Shad'ahan - a fountain that is open to citizens that desire to pray or pay their respects to their deities. While this may not mean much to some, our people find it atrocious to desecrate such a monument, have voiced their objections and I had to make a judgement.

Solemnly sealed,

Herald Sylise of Andus"

[NirAntae]

*A letter is returned in relatively short order*

Herald Sylise,

With all due respect, this seems unwise for one who claims to be enlightened, and tremendously excessive.  Skorgi, as one whose lineage disposes him to be at home in the ice and snow, finds great discomfort in the hot lands of the south, and has always used what means are available to try and cool down.  He has many times made use of the fountain in the palace, including in the presence of the previous Sultan, and though some have complained of it being 'rude', to my knowledge no one has ever explained to him that that fountain in particular is actually a sacred site; I was myself unaware of it until receiving your letter.  Banishing any person for such a victimless 'crime', without warning, in itself seems excessive.  Given that he is a Boyar, the Queen's mate, and General of the armed forces of Kraestret, doing so without a warning or formal complaint to Kraestret first seems even more excessive.  However, if you have no desire to maintain positive relations between Kraestret and Andus, so be it.

Queen Daciana von Cioara of Kraestret,
Matron of House Raven's Kiss

[Morde]

*Riders return north to deliver another letter*

"Queen Daciana,

Your prompt reply is appreciated.

Given that your General is unaccustomed to the climate of the south, I can understand that he must find ways to combat the heat. However, if he is as frequent a guest in Andus and the capital as it seems by your letter, then he should know that there is a public bath house for this such purpose – private baths are available, as well, within. What the former leader allowed has changed. Let it be known that the sacred fountain will not be used for bathing no longer. I am certain he can understand that.

I could be willing to lift the ban if reparation is made by Skorgi in way of written apology, formal acknowledgment of respecting cultures not of his own, and agreement to the conditions of return: allowed back within the capital and kingdom only, adhere to bathing in the baths only, and respect the culture of the people. As for being a guest at Shad’ahan for any reason in the future, he would only be allowed to do so with notice and escort.

An interesting tidbit I hope you can take as food for thought – When visiting an old friend in the home you know, but finding they have moved and a person you do not know lives there instead, would you enter the home and eat all the food just because the former tenant allowed such?

I await your response.

Herald Sylise"

[NirAntae]

Herald Sylise,

I appreciate your consideration on the matter.

I will begin with your final point. Going into a private home, and claiming a finite and privately owned resource such as food, is a very, very different matter than rinsing oneself in a fountain in a public building after having been allowed to do so previously. One is clearly morally wrong, and implies malice; the other, no malice was intended or moral questionability perceived. A simple explanation is all that would have been necessary.

While I am quite certain he would be willing to respect the now-sacred designation of the fountain having now been made aware of it, an apology is unlikely, both given his nature and seeing he was not informed of it at the time, then banished without warning. And the suggestion of having to give notice and subjecting to being under guard like a violent criminal is simply unacceptable, especially for what boils down to a misunderstanding. And that, with one who but recently risked life and limb - and more than you even know - to help save your city from the wrath of the invading dragons and to extinguish their fires.


Queen Daciana von Cioara