Malverin stood outside the church and raised a hand.
The blue smoke drifting in from the distance immediately changed course. As if answering his summons, every wisp poured into his palm and seeped into his body.
He closed his eyes and absorbed the information it had brought back.
"More outsiders."
A low chuckle came from beneath the bird-beaked mask.
"This place gets livelier by the day."
Malverin tightened his grip on his scepter.
"You'll make the perfect feast to celebrate my god's arrival."
Dark blue mud surged from beneath his feet, forming a road that stretched toward the beach.
Malverin planted his scepter at his side with ceremonial authority and followed the blue path forward.
The others were still by the ocean.
As they watched the forest's edge, they noticed that the dark blue mud, which had previously flowed flat along the ground, had risen even higher in the short time since.
