Councillor Ward,

Greetings.

I hope you slept well, last eve, in your cloistered Upper lodgings. I, however, had a bit of difficulty drifting off to slumber due to the commotion and unrest running rampant outside my window as a result of your brilliant decision in that 'trial' you ran last night.

Pray tell, what you feel qualifies you to judge a case involving citizens of Lower, that occured in Lower? From what I am told, you asked naught but one civilian witness their account of the events? You do realize that not even an hour earlier, the Spellguard Agent Delgado had attacked the citizenry with his magics, causing terror and outrage to the point where he had to be removed? Then, a Spellguard hired goon squad comes down illegally breaking heads, and you let them go free while undermining those mercenaries that protect the free men of my town? Well done, bravo.

The situation down here is one that requires particular diplomatic finesse, if you again feel compelled to come down the stairs, pass an obviously unfounded judgement, and incite my people to riot, then please do us both a favor and think again. While you go back to your cozy bed, I and my people are left to clean up your mess.

Sincerely yours,

Councillor Victor Hastian Canad Ward Lower Sanctuary

I slept very well, good Councilor, thank you for your concern.

I am qualified because I am a rational, thinking human being. What's more, I am qualified because the citizens of Sanctuary also believe that I am qualified. Further, it would be very kindly of you to remove your prejudices of me, especially since we have never met. I know the people of my town, with friends from both divisions of Sanctuary. Even further, as a physician, I get to know people from all backgrounds. Between a good education, a life of stressful yet meaningful work, and the votes of our good citizens, my qualifications should be quite apparent.

On to the matter at hand.

I gave the prosecution (that is, someone who makes a claim of transgression) ample opportunity to provide witnesses. None were brought forth. Also, they still have the opportunity to bring one forth. Call it a hunch, but I do not think one will be summoned by the end of the week.

Also, you have obviously been ill-informed as to the reason for the riot. The hired mercenaries never even attacked the fugitive, from the witnesses' accounts. Even the riot itself was caused by the release of a terrorizing gas upon nearby citizens by the fugitive, not the mercenaries. The only head that was broken was the head of an unruly mercenary inside the Tigereye Fortress. No charges are being pressed on this matter by the hired mercenary group.

I had no idea and was informed by noone that Agent Delgado had performed any of these actions. Bring him to trial if you want to. You are a councilor and a citizen, you can do these sorts of things.

The Spellguard hired the mercenaries in the first place in order to do their job around the newly proposed limitations. Perhaps your agitation would be better aimed at resolving this issue, not being upset with me for doing what our fair citizens elected me to do. I'm sure if you had wished, you could have stepped in at any moment. Fret not, you would not have hurt my feelings.

I will walk amongst the citizens of my hometown as I please, thank you. I look beyond where one resides, it's the character of the man that is important. Perhaps you should consider doing the same.

The hired mercenaries did their job, or attempted anyways. The Tigereyes did their job, the Spellguard did their job, and I did mine. If this sort of problem happens again, be my guest to do something about it.

Feel at liberty to come face me anytime about this matter. I'll buy the first round of drinks, what's more.

Pleasant dreams, Councilor Ward

P.S. Oh, and the citizens on trial were from the Uppers, mostly. Not that it makes any difference, as we are both councilors of Sanctuary, not the Uppers or the Lowers.

The reply letter from Councillor Ward is returned unopened