The paraffin treatment on her hands was glorianas manifest. Aches eased with the heat reaching deep to her bones. ?I?m not saying I need to know every detail of what is going on, though it?d be nice if I did, I?m just saying don?t stuff me in a corner like everyone else does just because I got a little roughed up.? It was the second hour of the spa day, currently alone in the room as their hands soaked. ?Besides, I tend to find out and then ruin people?s plans anyway. Should ask Mister Alain about that one.?

When one of the attendants came back in to work on her hands and up to her elbows with the massage, Lirssa went quiet. Getting Jewell to tell her what was going on with the Temple was one thing. Telling other people who just happened to be in the room? Stupid.

The Empress lifted one of the cucumbers off her eyes to make sure the woman left, checked the spell she had in place (she was capable of working magic when she wanted to), and then placed the cucumber back on her eye before responding to Lir. ?You don?t want to know every detail. You wouldn?t thank me for it. But I?m not trying to keep you in the dark because I don?t think you can handle it right now.?

She paused, hesitating a little on how to explain it. ?I?ve just been trying to figure out who these people are. Oddly enough,? she grinned a little, ?Alain is helping.? She didn?t even need to lift a cucumber off her eyes to magically guide some of the water from the basin near the door onto the hot stones across the room, producing a bit of steam to cut through the dryness in the sauna room. ?I?ll share some of what I do know because these people came after you. You deserve to know some of it.

?They?re called the Temple of the Divine Mother. They?re basically a cult. I tried to rid the city of them last year after an encounter with them. I apparently did not do a very good job of it. They came back with a vengeance. They went after Sapphire first and then you. But all the while, they were gathering strength across the city.? Jewell waved her hand, ?You can see their posters all over. ?End Oppression? ?Humans Stand Proud?. Stuff like that.? She shrugged. ?I?m not honestly sure what their goal is. Maybe they?re just like Humanity First but with a bit of a personal grudge against me? I think it might be something more.?

Personal grudge. The chuckle that puffed past Lirssa?s lips was full of disdain. The Temple?s attacks had gotten progression to poke and punch at Jewell?s circle of family, friends, and employees was painting the canvas of personal grudge pretty clearly and with a lot of red.

Eventually, Lirssa would get to what that more could be. But she supposed it did not matter. There was a group building meant to cause the usual chaos of RhyDin to tip into terror manifest. Whether the target of Jewell was a side benefit or the main quest, Lirssa was going to do what she could to see their plans ruined. ?Think my turning up alive pushed their plans forward faster than they wanted? I mean, just seems like they are starting to get a bit more bold with those posters.? With a stomach trembling sigh, she added, ?Or maybe they?ve got the strength they need and are ready.?

She took a deep breath. It was a scary thought. ?Not sure. It feels a little like they?ve backed off? At least from me.? Jewell fidgeted with the belt of her robe. ?They haven?t come after anyone personally since you came back, but? yeah, it seems like they?ve been gaining a lot of public support. I don?t know how much yet.? She peeled the cucumbers off so she could look over at her young friend. ?I think this is some deep shit, Lir.?

Normally, Jewell Protocol would include pushing everyone away for their safety. Don?t tell anyone anything. Keep everyone in the dark and handle the issue on her own. That was just how she was comfortable operating. But Lirssa was already involved, and she just didn?t think she could do these things on her own anymore. If this was bigger and deeper than just a personal grudge, than she couldn?t just handle it by herself. She shouldn?t.

?I was going to chat with Rand and Val about maybe helping out. Issy too. And? I?m glad you?re here.?

Lirssa flexed her fingers and stretched them out again in the gloves as the heat of the paraffin seeped into her slender fingers. Too slender. She was still working on regaining her strength and stamina. ?Thank you,? she murmured. There had been a price to pay, debts of sorrow earning interest each day she could not fly into the stars. ?I am here, and I?ll do whatever I can. I?m glad you?re looking to others as well. Strength in numbers and all that, and the Temple already has it in spades.?

?They do,? she agreed sadly. It had been hard to reach out to others and look for help. It was against every fiber in her being to do that, but Jewell knew when she was outmatched. There was nothing heroic about facing hopeless odds alone. It was just stupid.

With a look back to the Empress, she gave a smile meant to be encouraging. There was no starshine power in it, but it was sincere. ?Used to I could make myself blend in with other groups, before the transformation.? She used the word as if Jewell knew what she was talking about. Only Canaan knew, though. He alone knew what had truly happened in the last year. It was best that way. Lirssa still used her talents. She just didn?t explain them. And who would? How could she? ?Mister Alain and his people are probably better suited to that task now. I do not know Val well, and with their upcoming wedding ---? Lirssa stopped short, struck with a horrifying thought. ?You don?t think the Temple would do something?.something big at their wedding do you??

The fear that curled in her stomach at the question turned quickly to anger. Fury. Her grey eyes were cold. ?I would make it rain blood if they even thought about it.? It was a chilling but realistic declaration. If anyone even spilled a glass of wine at the wedding, Jewell would make them pay! Fortunately, as the faerie chewed over the scenario a little longer, teeth worrying the inside of her cheek, she became more rational. ?I?m not saying it?s not possible, but I doubt they?d try something that big? They?ve been working pretty hard on their subtle, public relations stuff. Why ruin it with something like that??

It made sense. Still, it making sense did not quell the worry brewing unease at the base of Lirssa?s spine. The base of her spine where all worry settled and reminded her. ?Because they are ready to? We don?t know their plans. We don?t even know what their goal is. I don?t want to worry Rand and Val, but maybe I and some others should be on guard, just in case? Nothing happens, well and good. But, I?m not willing to let them to catch me unaware.? Again.

That was to be planned. With Mister Alain back in the world, Lirssa would work with him. Jewell would not have to worry about it or try to lie to Rand or Val so they won?t worry about it. It was all for the best. ?I should stop by your offices some time, or someplace, and we will talk about what you need from me, and what is going on so I don?t muck it up. My luck is going to run out sometime. I?m getting older than I expected,? she smirked.

It was all true. They didn?t know their plans or goals. If all the Temple wanted was to cause Jewell the most amount of pain possible, the wedding was probably a good place. ?I will be there. And armed.? Really, when wasn?t she. With her magic back, she didn?t even need a weapon to be dangerous. Her hands were enough. ?I?m going to keep digging around to see what I can find out about what they?re up to. Then you?re right, we should talk. I have some ideas on what might need to be done.?