To: The Golden Chrysanthemums | From: The National Council of Malta

[Foxglove]

Miss Amaia, I am not quite sure you understand what I mean.

Do we oppose the Nomads? Yes. Since we contacted the Order, we have taken measures to prevent infestation in the ranks of the National Council. Call me old-fashioned, but I do believe in the concept of national sovereignty. No outside influence can justifiably exert control over a foreign people, as they are neither as invested in the governed people's wellbeing nor are they able to understand the inborn needs of the people they proport to govern. If that influence is of alien origin, I am quite sure that point is easy to follow.

However, if you look at the map, Malta's forces are neither equipped nor positioned in order to actually fight the Nomads. With them being as close as they are to Malta, an open conflict would be disasterous and unsustainable. We do not know why they do not annihilate Malta. But we rationally also do not intend to find out the hard way. Our approach to the Order was made under the assumption that they well know this.

Now, we remain open to an apology from Golanski and a return of his to the negotiating table. As you said, a conflict with the Order behooves only the Nomads. However, given the insulting tone used by Golanski in his latest message to us, it would be political suicide on my end if I were to extend the olive branch.

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