Dear Kairn Duskfall,
Perhaps my last letter was too hasty, I am glad to see that someone is at least capable of polite discourse as well as assault. My last missive was sent at the same time as yours, and so another seems in order.
Indeed you are right, I am suddenly a marked target. But do not underestimate me. I have stayed mostly neutral through this conflict, and have held my hand many times. I think citizens fighting citizens while the Chosen and drow look on like hungry jackals is the height of stupidity and immorality. I am now forced into a corner, however, and I can see no way forward but to fight.
Scanning your letter, you then go on to link mutilated creations and slaadi with the Spellguard. I have never killed a child, let alone infected one with slaadi. Nor have I made a freakish creation. At the time of the Towers' closure I was working on some rodent embryos as part of my research on Chosen, which might frighten the common man in the street. This is why it was locked away, even though it was for the betterment of the community. I am not a necromancer.
Are there some Spellguard Agents whose actions I do not approve of? Undoubtedly. But as a member of the rebellion, you tacitly acknowledged that some Watchmen were good and some bad; are you incapable of making that same rationalisation with Spellguard? Think of what the Spellguard had done for the city - the animatrons, the only effective thrall detection system, the wards against magical eaters... the list goes on and on. All these things represent the desire to make Sanctuary a better, safer place, which was my only goal in joining them.
I was well forewarned about the closure of the Tower. I could have rested with those on the inside, but I chose not to because I thought I was needed more out here. Without Etorix, without the Spellguard, the town is going to struggle to keep even a token defence. I have pledged myself to this cause, and I plan to make good on it. As for your charge of cowardice, the feeling in the Tower was one of resignation, not fear. After the work the organisation had done defending the city for so long, to be turned on as though we were the enemy... well, it was only natural that we chose to close our doors. It was not the drow or chosen we decided to flee from, we simply did not want more bloodshed in the streets. Remember that the animatrons could have walked the streets in a reign of terror at any time, but of course they never did. The schism was for the towns benefit; no longer will it tear itself apart while the wolves bay at the doorstep. Perhaps now we can look outwards towards our real foes.
Finally, let us discuss your suggestion I abandon the Spellguard and go to trial. I wear the robes of the Spellguard proudly; as I have done since the day I joined. As a long term citizen of Sanctuary I honestly believe the Spellguard combined with the tireless work of the Watch, were the reason we survived as long as we have. The robes represent my willingness to put myself forward against anything that would attack our city, a sign of dedication to the safety of the common man and woman. They are, of course, only a symbol. But it is a symbol I will continue to wear, so that those who think like I do, will know that the Spellguard are not the monsters you would have us be. As for a trial? I do not believe I have ever broken the law. I would not entrust myself to man like Keel, who assails the watchman at the gates hours before the drow do, killing hundreds of men, women and children. I don't know if he is enthralled, blinded by zealotry, or just stupid, but either way I do not trust a fair trial for whatever charges were trumped up (being a Spellguard Agent, perhaps?).
All this is an aside to the key point from my last letter. You and I are at war, unless you call a pax between us, which I will of course honour until we agree to do otherwise.
Jacia Lyonaley.