Jade Stream is close to the most recent odd event, as are a few other cultists - though Jade's exhibited more loyalty and a keener eye than most.

And a few of her other cultists don't seem to be really responding to taps.

They will be dealt with in due course.\

But first, what does her lovely water feature have for her?

A few updates, the most notable to Jade being: a preacher came through recently. Female, extremely charismatic, talked the local lord into fairer taxes and gave quite a few speeches on things like the universal fellowship of humanity. She was - hard to look away from or dismiss. The town's changed, too, since she came through. People are - kinder. More helpful. Especially those who talked to her individually.

She didn't actually proselytize much, but Jade drew her into a religious conversation, and the woman apparently considers herself a priest of an aspect of the Unconquered Sun.

A few people have added the woman herself - Shining Jubilation - to their rotation of daily prayers.

That, she certainly does not approve of. This heresy must be suppressed among her faithful, and examples made as necessary. Worship even of an aspect of Unconquered Sun is entirely inimical to the true faith, to the true creators of this world.

Certainly. Jade can provide names of all those she knows are questioning, both among the faithful and among those in the town who have not yet been swayed to the true faith.

Such a wonderful girl, so efficient and obedient.

She does her best.

That is why she is a good girl. And a good girl may have a kiss.

Heeeee.

She melts into Luc' a bit.

Good.

And then she wants Jade Stream to let the faithful in town know she requires their attendance at the sanctified ground tonight. Only the faithful, mind. The heretics will be dealt with separately.

She'll do that. Does her lady require anything else of her?

That will be all for now. Luc' herself will be going to the sanctified ground now. If Jade Stream finds herself at loose ends before tonight, she may join her.

"Thank you, my lady." And she heads off to see Luc's will done.

And Luc' goes off to do some shopping. A few empty barrels are easily purchased, then to the sanctified (or blighted, depending on your point of view) ground, the basement of an abandoned house, outside the town center. The air within is hot and dry, the floor of fine white sand greedily soaking up any moisture. A little taste of home, of the Eternal Desert. She ignores the lanterns, willing her caste mark to flare to light the area, and walks to the center, leaving the barrels at the edge of the room.

She concentrates a moment and casts the charm that will call forth life from this desolation. Hundreds of locusts, their carapaces shimmering like jewels, crawl out of the sand all around her, twitching and buzzing for a brief moment before dying as one. A taste of the Endless Desert in a more literal sense. She takes one and bites into it, savoring the delicate crunch and the savory flesh within.

Finishing it off, she retrieves the barrels and begins the process of moving the locusts from the ground to the containers. She repeats the summoning twice more before all the barrels are filled.

Jade returns a bit before nightfall, footsteps soft. "Your message has been spread, my lady."

"Excellent." She smiles. "Come, sit with me," she says, patting the ground beside her. "Have a locust."

She does, kneeling beside Luc', attentive to her.

"These are a gift from the Endless Desert," Luc' says. "She is cruel to her enemies and those who scorn her, but if you pay her proper respect, she will see you thrive. This is how we will adjust our message going forward..." She explains how she wants sermons to focus on the proper hierarchy of people and Creation and the rewards that follow when one adheres to this structure. They are also to eat the locusts at every gathering, and for at least three others meals per week. When this stockpile runs low, they may pray to her for further locusts the same as they would for other blessings. She will also teach the thaumaturgist a ritual to candy the locusts for preservation. If he proves efficacious in this duty, they are to begin selling their excess locally.

"Yes, my lady. Do the locusts - do anything?"

"Nothing that will harm you. They are a reminder of your devotion to me, and mine to you."

She smiles, ducking her head a bit. "Alright."

Pet pet.

Mmmm.

(Of course, it's fairly close to twilight - the more timely of her faithful will likely be arriving soon.)

They won't get too busy, then. But Luc' wants Jade Stream to take charge of this meeting, even though she's in attendance herself. This will be both a demonstration of her trust in Jade Stream and a test of how well she understands the direction Luc' wants, while Luc' is there to clean up any missteps.

Of course.

Jade spends some time mentally running through the adjustments to her sermons - does Luc' want an overview of what she plans to say first?