Greetings, Tondalar.

I laud your wit in telling folks from whom you do not wish to hear and
who have no desire to hear from you not to waste their gold in scribing
publicly by taking up your quill in like manner.

I laud your ability to distinguish landscape, when anyone with an iota
of intelligence knows that the desert, by the very definition of the
term, holds no such mass of waters in it quite so large as an ocean.
Perhaps you should seek out what the meaning of the term "desert"
actually is, though one would hardly have thought that would be
necessary given the fact that you do live in one.

I respect the right of Antioch to ban magick in and around themselves. I
have been certain to leave behind my magickal workings on the rare
occasion in which I have stepped into your sands to visit. If someone
can explain how a desert can contain an ocean, I will be glad to
acquiesce insofar as allowing you to see I carry nothing magickal on me
within Antioch's rightful jurisdiction. My schooling in Antioch as a
child was where I learned what being a desert entails for an area, so I
strongly doubt any attempts to tell me otherwise will be viewed as
anything less than an attempt to strong arm peaceful folks who want to
relax and fish. Further, muttering some strange mumbo jumbo about what
some strange voice named Sir Vey says will only convince me of an
individual's questionable sanity.

It has been several years since I manipulated the ethereal tides with
any frequency. I spend my time speaking with fledgling bards about
performances, relaxing beside and in the water or fishing to make my
living there, scribing and teaching about the Seasons, or enjoying the
company of my bride, family, and friends. I even remained outside of the
warring between your people and mine, except for to ensure that I and my
friends had common defences - the very same sort that you use, not those
wrought by musical manipulation of magickal currents.. None of these
require the use of magick. For the few things for which I DO use it, it
is NEVER where it can offend those who shun it.

If I had thought that a mere mortal man armed with naught but a fishing
pole and a shield tattoo on the ocean would rile you up quite so much, I
would have sought out more peaceful fishing grounds in the first place.
I have no intention to give in to the spirit of violence that carry
within yourself, Tondalar. You say that magick corrupts, and I agree.
Magick is a form of power, and power certainly has that tendency
regardless of its source. Why should I prove that magick has corrupted
ME in particular by giving in to blood lust on its account? I use my
magicks only to protect those who would accept it. If forced to protect
myself, I use it as a tool to facilitate my escape. For what purpose do
you use your non-magickal gifts if not to render violence and threats
thereof upon others who would be content to leave you alone, not even
coming into your presence? Who is the bigger threat? The bard whose life
aspiration is to perform peacefully or the magick hater who seeks any
opportunity to kill those who accept it?

Lyrith Da'Saison

Penned by my hand on the 7th of Ultio, in the year 473 AD.