"Yes, we destroyed your villages, killed your people, defiled your holy places. What choice did we have? The masters," he spat the word, "captured us, tortured us, starved us, burnt us, and then told us that if we followed their orders then maybe some of our children might be spared."

He sighed. "We did not do what we did out of hate or anger of you or yours, and we do not feel sorrow for it either. We were mearly the sword that was weilded against you, and the hand, eye, and mind that commanded the sword is dead now and forever."

The ambassador wearily drew himself to his feet, tucking his crutch under his arm with an unconscious move.

"We will leave you in peace as long as we are left in peace, and although the sword has been sheathed, it is kept sharp and can still be drawn."