I am most interested in events which concern the Atlanteans' continued search. Please keep an eye and ear open for information which pertains to their activities. I am pleased with your current report. For future reference, the Atlantean term Decemvirate is pronounced, sadly, with a hard c, like in cup. So, says at least, my childhood tutor in Old Empyrean, who claims that the Atlanteans stole the word from the Empyrean culture. Of course, the past is now history and nothing can proved my childhood tutor correct or incorrect.

On the matter of Cynara, I shall say little about her. I believe that you ought to be allowed to form your own impressions of the woman. However, I shall say this, it has struck me that she is a woman certain in her own rectitude and moral code to the exclusion of actually listening to the speech of others. I would caution you in your interactions with the woman. She is quite specious yet says little of import, yet you must listen carefully in order to discern the grains of truth in her copious words. Also, do not listen to her to the detriment of common sense. As I have noted, she speaks, but she appears rarely to listen to what others might also have to say, as proven by her departure prior to allowing you a chance to speak your mind. Again, you must make your own judgement in this matter, for my opinion is my own and based on observations different than your interactions with the woman.

This brings me to another matter, which I shall now lay before you to consider. Your position as a shudra depends solely on your own actions and your state of mind. I have seen many servants in my day and there does not exist a mold by which all servants fit. A shudra serves, this is true, but not with absolute humility. There are those who are proud of their station, of their service, and of the chances they are given to do good deeds. There is a certain pride one can take from having done a job well. You may serve, Faanshi, but you are not a rug, to be trod on by others. Your service need not be solely produced by your need to follow the surahs. The surahs are good, but they are guidance. They are rules so that the Varati do not descend into barbarism. They are guidelines, so that people can live a good and righteous life, but they are not a mold. You create yourself each day by your own actions. Follow the holy surahs because you agree with them and see that they lead you to virtuous deeds, but do not allow them to bend you into a slave that follows blindly and without thought. There is a certain pride and joy that can be felt by knowing you have helped others, that you have saved a life, or made a life better. There is a pride and joy in knowing that by small actions, you are changing the world, but you must be happy with yourself and your actions. Have respect for your abilities to heal and comfort. You define yourself, do not allow a caste nor even the holy surahs set your limits. Why do you heal the Mongrels? This is a question that only be truly answered when you find yourself. Do not allow your answer to be couched in platitudes, in limits set by others. Make your answer one which comes from within your own soul. Only then will you begin the path to discovering all your possibilities.

Allow the light and flame of Atar to guide you on your quest,

Thalia Jovia Tritonides Khalida
Queen-Maharani of the Varati Kingdom