Lettere di Aglienti

[Aglienti]

Mercoledì 1 ottobre 835

Father,

There is nothing but savagery beyond Malta's borders.

By sheer fortune, we encountered Damien Morreti today, the leader of the Xeno Alliance and the man who brought the cardamine families to heel - even though he won't take credit for the part he played. I did not expect humility from a barbarian like him. No, what I expected was what we received from his kin instead.

To open fire upon the Sassari over nothing but simple words - true words, at that - is the very kind of primitive behavior I expected to find when crossing the Barrier. To dare threaten us not just with violence but with death! If nothing else, one must applaud the barbarians' audacity, even if it is based only in ignorance - or idiocy.

The savages refused to obey their master's command to stand down and hurled both insult and fire at us. And to think I praised Morreti and his people mere minutes earlier for appearing to be of a cut above what I had expected to find beyond the Barrier. But let it be known, father, that no Aglienti debased himself with violence this day. We suffered the savages' insults as we have suffered those of our own kin before. They will come to regret them, as our kin have done before. This I promise you, father.

However, I shamed myself today. I promised you new opportunities, dealing with these outsiders. Instead, I had to stoop so low as to ask their forgiveness for the words I spoke. Words, mind you, that were never intended as insults! Not that their simple minds could discern the difference. Never again, father. I both over- and underestimated these barbarians. I overestimated their intelligence and their morals. I underestimated their savagery. Never again. This I promise you, too.

Forgive me, father. I will not disappoint you like this again.

Cordiali saluti,
Gustavo