[Background: Kaldoran Civil War. Agrikans have been seen working for the "Bastard-King" Maldan Harabor, and factions are forming. Miginath II (Maldan
Harabor) vs. Troda Dariune vs. Orsin Firith.]

A Sermon on the Sanguine Lady, given by Matakea Ashiron Miona Ruskart on Kelen 20, 721, recorded by Master Scribe, Volas, at the High temple of
Larani in Caleme:

Dear friends and followers of Our Lady of Mercy. I have come here before you to speak about mercy. Before I begin, let me tell you that I have fought many
bloody battles this last year of my life and have come to lose all expectation. All that I do know, is that I serve the Maiden. If I die of weakness, I will die fighting
against the blight that spreads through this land by darkness. I have lost much of my compassion and mercy in these terrible struggles. This I also struggle to maintain.
But what can I say, I am weak. I strive in her name to serve, to do battle against her enemy, those who desecrate her people, defile her holy temples, corrupt her
kingdom, taint her true worshipers. All these terrible things I have seen first hand. I have been burned by the fire of the Wreaker, felt the poison of the Lord of Pitch
Shadow, and been seized the pure darkness and evil of Morgath. I have seen great demons perish under my own bloody hand. I have seen the pestilence upon the
people of this land!

All these manifestations of darkness do not bode well for our once bright kingdom. There is something rotten in our land and we must purge it back into the
darkness! This will be our virtue my friends, that we will never surrender to the darkness. We may have to travel into it! We may have to show our weakness, but,
my friends, we will only do this to save our land and our people, to save our faith. We will not fight to save our selves, because Larani will be proud if we die in
battle for this just cause. I have many times surrendered to my own death only to find Larani always there for me, protecting me. She will not let our kingdom fall to
these foul bespoilers, but we must work for her, we must use our righteous might to stop the darkness that fills the land.

Now, there are those of you who are confused about Larani's mercy at the Duel of Khamar. I tell you that she stood over Agrik in her rage in her blood red mail and
saw his severed claw and she saw her victory! Thus, through Peoni's help, she gave Agrik mercy! This is why we preach mercy and honor. And, my friends, this is
when we will give it: when Agrik lays at our feet. Right now Kaldor is on its knees and Agrik has sprung his trap on us. We must stand up and bring our rage against
him! Then when he is at our feet, the feet of Kaldor, then alone will we show him mercy. Then my friends we will hope that Valimon, the frowner, will be there to
calm us. You see, if we do not fight now, Kaldor will be lost to the darkness. And this darkness will bring weakness upon us all. We will come to know our own
frailties and faults, but be strong. She will protect us, too. But we, who are chosen to protect others, must stand and fight. We must sacrifice ourselves in her name, if
we must. Already, Larani has shown great mercy on me. Every day that I show weakness, she gives me strength. When all hope was lost for me, she brought hope
into my heart. In the immortal words of Fidri, saint of fire and protector of the Sword of Calsten, "The Righteous Heir will be found. Your place in this struggle
should be clear; destroy those who work against peace." Fidri! As you say, "I travel in the Lady's protection and seek to quench the Wreakers Fire!" I will keep my
Holy Covenant as the Shieldmaiden's Champion! Together with my brethren, we will rise up against these foul servants of darkness. And when we have the darkness
at our knees, we will righteously give mercy!

My friends, I give these parting words in honor of a wise friend, let your weakness be a bridge to greater strength. Do not let true hatred take root in your heart.
Often we must struggle with rage and fear when we fight this fire and darkness, but do not succumb to the ways of the enemy or you too will be the servant of fire
and darkness. Blessed are the peacebringers!

Author: Minoo D Hamilton