Valerian's Last Letter
Among the ruins of the Capital, a letter was found in the old post office just outside the main city gates. In it, a letter was found, as yet undelivered and supposedly written by Emperor Valerian himself. The letter is addressed to his brother, Honorius, with the address in it torn out. Given that it was likely written after Honorius's claimed death, the letter has spawned much speculation, with the most logical explanation being that in his final days, the emperor was driven mad and had attempted to speak with his brother and closest friend one final time. This is undermined though, by the letter's contents.
Contents
Frater, Ego paenitet, quod eras rectus. Hoc throni est maledictus et senatus est plenus de incompetentiam. Cognoscam hoc est poena per superbia mea. Te paenitet me per non audiat et effugere haec lacum de tigres quando possem… In templum campanis sonant, frater. Haec dies mei sunt meos ultimus et agnovi nihil. En colligo quinque sapientes nunc. Quaeso, de urbs Caleiana discedas et reliqnuiete tua vita antiqua. Et fratrem vestrum,
- Valerianus
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Brother,
I’m sorry, I should have listened to you when I had the chance. This damned throne is consuming me and the senate is full of incompetence. I know this is punishment for my hubris, but I should have listened to you and left this lair of tigers when I had the chance. I can hear the temple bells ringing, brother. I know these are my final days and yet I remain as clueless as when I began. In two weeks, I will gather the five sages. I beg you, leave the Capital before then and go west. Leave this old life behind.
Your brother,
Valerian
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