Letter from Arcadius to his father

(from the stay in The Land of the Five Rivers, and written in its language and script)

To the honored, right-thinking and right-acting Ar-Mahdin, son of Ar-Ahrum, who was son of Ar-Dehret, who was son of Ar-Mirihaal, who was daughter of Ar-Khadesh, who was son of Ar-Kinas, who was daughter of Ar-Mahdin, who was son of Ar-Ahrum, who was son of Ar-Dehret, first of our rightly-guided lineage.

Keeper of the lineage of Dehret
Guardian of of the district of Ideb
Speaker in the assembly of the province of Zakhmemet

My father

From your son, Ar-Khadesh

*A*

Know o' father that I am briefly once more in The Land of the Five Rivers, but alas, only in distant Khemhet. I and my companions are merely passing through on our way to other lands. I have taken them temporarily under my Guardianship, and thus far they have behaved correctly and brought no discredit to it.

Know o' father that I must report to you certain things I have seen in Khemhet. Merchants of the Kingdom of Izmir, strange that their customs may be, are behaving in ways contrary to their own interests, but in accordance with the command of their tyrannical king. They are selling, but not buying, and thus hoarding gold that will no doubt fund the rumored war against Point of Origin, worthy city of the servants of the Gods. Know also that there is a strange unease in the district of Khemhet, and the common folk seem restless, though they cannot or will not explain why. Whatever is happening, it is contrary to the old and right paths, and I therefore humbly beg you to mention this matter to those who have need to know such things.

Know o' father that I have much more I would like to say than time and wisdom permit. However, recall if you will the tales of Thamuut the Fisherman, of Musheret the Peasant and Ar-Dahun the Foolish Guardian, and especially of Ekhmose and the Basalt Tomb. Reflect upon the time in which each is set, and I believe they will prove instructive.

Know o' father I pray that, gods willing, when the current troubles are past, and the vile forces of darkness and disorder are purged, we shall have time to speak at length and leisure.

Know o' father that I honor you, my mother, and our family, may they be blessed and may they act in accordance with the old and proper ways.

Rightly we have done, rightly we do, and rightly may we do in the times to come.