[PostsforIncogs]

Wyrmia

I am turning three hundred and ninety this year.
You’d think that would earn me at least the dignity of being insulted with some creativity. But no. “animal” seems to be the favorite. Repeated often. Loudly. Usually by someone who has never lived through the fall of a people, nor read a single book outside the decorative shelves I now tend.

Curious.
It has also been some years since the giants of Meranthe were nearly erased. Around that same time (for pure coincidence, I’m sure) I was imprisoned for protesting on behalf of a people who could no longer speak loudly enough to be heard.

I remain here in Caethir. Not in chains, exactly. No, no, let us be precise. I wear a chain twice me weight.  A charming little ornament around my leg, meant to remind me (and anyone watching) that I am, officially, a delinquent. A bandit. A problem with ankles. I repeat, I quote, 'an animal'.

Still, I must give credit where it is due. Queen Calanthe is, in all seriousness, remarkable. She gave me a place among books instead of a cell among bones. I catalogue histories, mend spines, and occasionally write letters such as this one wich is uncensored, which is either a sign of her wisdom or her patience. Perhaps both.

But step outside the library and that's where things CHANGE!

In the square, where your statues pretend to remember greatness, I am told to be quiet. To lower my voice. 

There is something rather theatrical about Caethir these days. A kind of moral performance. You speak of order, of civility, of progress but only so long as no one interrupts the script.

Well, guess what Meranthe

YOU WILL NEVER CHAIN MY IDEAS!
YOU CAN KILL A FLOWER OR TWO
BUT YOU WILL NEVER STOP THE SPRING!

Respect, it seems, is reserved for those who do not ask for it.
And so here we are: a city that prides itself on knowledge, yet flinches at inconvenient truths. A people who adore history, provided it is quiet, flattering, and preferably dead.

You may continue as you are. Truly. I am only a librarian with a loud opinion and a decorative shackle.
But I would advise, gently, since that seems to be the preferred tone here, that you reconsider what kind of kingdom you are becoming. Because even the finest libraries cannot preserve a people who refuse to learn.
With enduring irritation, impeccable memory,
and a very noticeable limp,
A Wyrmia of Meranthe

[Milly]

[Reposting this on the forums. It has been posted on Caethir's Noticeboard]

I have found, personally, that no matter the age of someone, that does not mean they are due anything. They are not due a safe nor happy life in their golden years, they are not due happiness or even particularly sadness. Neither are they due creative insults, as it appears that a good majority of Meranthe is lacking such sharp wit, but do not be mistaken: you are included within the ones who require a whetstone for your tongue.

You were originally captured by Delphina and the proceeded to then lie about being a citizen of Caethir, as well as seeming content to disparage the name of Caethir's Queen. Why you were captured by them is unimportant given you are presently not in their custody and are instead in Caethir's own, where you are for some odd reason allowed to tend to stacks of books day in and day out, while writing letters complaining of your lot in life.

Have you bothered to mention the restraint you currently wear, politely, in an effort to see a lighter one replace it? Or did you march out into the square, bemoaning your fate as a captured animal -- which you yourself said, keep in mind... And then when questioned on what animal, you resorted to insults and name calling. Such as calling someone a big bug, and how they deserve to be thrown into prison.

Caethir speaks of order and civility, and you have shown zero ounces of such since your last public letter. It's ironic that you would mention that someone could kill a flower or two when you were originally captured by the very people who love nature, and are presently being held by a Queen who loves nature, and yet you speak of killing flowers. No one is chaining ideas. You are free to dislike what Delphina did with their ritual. You are allowed to speak your thoughts on that matter, but what you did went beyond that.

Unfortuantely, dear Wyrmia, there's only enough room in Caethir for one loud and opinionated librarian, and that is yours truly.

We could perhaps send you back to Delphina's custody, of course, if you wish.

Sincerely,
Nicolas Kess
Steward of Caethir