Li sat cross-legged in the middle of his shrine, the bed of grass beneath him soft and ever so slightly tinged with morning dew that had yet to melt away under the late afternoon sun. Above him, his heart beat, gently letting out an echo that rejuvenated all life nearby, letting the grasses grow taller and greener, the flowers healthier and more colorful. The rhythm was entirely in sync with the false heart of human flesh in his current body, and hearing it calmed him.

It let him focus on the golden wheat seed nestled in the middle of his open palm. He kept it there, his eyes closed as he focused to such an extent that the little thing's miniscule weight felt heavy on his sensitive skin.

Li could hear the seed's life song, and he tried his hardest to memorize it. Every single beat out of a complex melody so staggeringly large and wondrous that it was obvious a human mind was never supposed to be able to comprehend it. But he had always had a good memory, and with each hour that passed, he felt he got one step closer to fully comprehending and committing the song to his mind.

Of course, it was not actually his memory that aided him. It was mostly Iona's assistance. She hovered above him, her form translucent, invisible to mortal eyes as she placed her spiritual hands gently on his shoulders, granting him just enough divine power and awareness to slowly but surely work his way up to making the seed's life song his own. He was essentially expanding the limits of his human consciousness like he was working a muscle, constantly straining it to its edge to expand it bit by bit.

Iona could never have done this while she had humanity within her. Her spiritual powers had degraded far too much, not to mention that without being his root, she did not have the necessary connection to so delicately control the power that flowed in and out of him.

It was to the extent that Li wondered if it would have ever actually been possible for him to achieve the goal of getting his humanity used to his divinity without Iona's sacrifice. He had made more progress now than he had ever done while she had not been his root, and she would have known this better than anyone.

Li knew she had not immediately sacrificed her humanity to immediately progress his powers because she had herself wanted to cling onto her humanity for just a little bit of time, to cherish the emotions and individuality that she had fostered over the decades. He did not hold any of that against her.

No, he was simply all the more thankful for her, and gratitude became impetus, motivating him to train even now in the midst of so much other work he had to do. Throughout early morning and the early afternoon, he and Old Thane had gathered the farmers around and gotten them to maintaining their fields and farmhouses.

Grass and weeds had grown over many of the fields, requiring a fresh ploughing to return them to a farmable condition. Those with stables had to repair damage that had accumulated from neglect, and to that end, the beastwomen were incredibly helpful, using their superior agility and strength as much as they could.

The Harpies could fly about and fix roofs while the Serpi actually had incredible knowledge of almost all building methods. This was a by product of their culture that revolved around record-keeping, and when they used to interact with other races of the world more, they learned and inscribed into their memories all the ways the races of the forests and plains protected themselves from the harsh elements.

After setting everyone to work, Li had told his people that he would be communing with their god for now and to grant him solitude. Of course, that was a front to meditate here and train, but in a way, he supposed he was communing with his divine self that these people called their god.

Li opened his eyes and pocketed the wheat seed as he heard the crunch of footsteps disturbing forest floor foliage. His expected guests had arrived.

"Are we��intruding any?" came Sylvie's voice. Quiet and meek as it was, it still cut through the silence of the forest like a knife.

"No." Li stood up, patting down stray leaves and grasses from his leather trousers. They were worn now, the same pair he had worn since Old Thane had given them to him when he came to this world. A symbol of the time and work in the fields he had invested.

Li turned to see Sylvie and Jeanne standing at the edge of the shrine, afraid to come in as their gazes daintily roved about the length of the structure.

"You don't have to feel afraid of anything," said Li as he beckoned them to come in. "Least of all me. I wouldn't have called you two here otherwise, and I've learned to control my power much better since the last time I saw you."

Jeanne was the first to walk into the bounds of the shrine, and Sylvie followed close behind. They were not dressed for combat, garbed not in armors and boiled leathers but matching tunics and leggings suited for a more casual walk through the Winterwoods.

"This place has a pleasant feeling to it," said Jeanne as she breathed in the faint scent of wildflowers and honey. "A calmness that makes me feel small yet comforted. A feeling I am well familiar with when I pray in the bounds of a temple of Light."

"It shouldn't be too surprising. A deity's blessing is here just as one should be in your temples."

"I must admit, it is my first time witnessing a forest guardian based faith," said Sylvie as she tentatively stepped into the shrine, her eyes darting about with her usual curious energy as she took in everything. "I'd read so much about it, and yet, to witness it first hand is a whole another ordeal."

"I'm happy to hear you both enjoy and appreciate it," said Li. He nodded and then said, "I called you two here to give you an apology for my conduct. It was unbecoming of me, and it must have come as a shock considering how I usually present myself."

Hearing this, Jeanne and Sylvie deflated, their tensions soothing out as they became more convinced that Li had returned to his usual self. Good, thought Li. He had gotten them on good terms again. He would not want them to be uncomfortable around lands that he and Old Thane both now managed.

"It is good to know you are fine," said Sylvie, and Jeanne nodded in agreement. "I worried less for what you may have said or done and whether you had been stricken with any harm."

"And the concern is much appreciated. Speaking of, I acknowledge that I may have been overbearing with my might regarding the priests of Light."

"No true priests of the Light they are," said Jeanne with a grimace.

"Be that as it may, I still understand that the temples here do much good work. They are responsible for healing the sick and for much good to those with nothing through their food banks and the orphanages. They are an integral part of this city and this duchy, and I have no personal qualm against the faith of the Light. Thus, I am going to send them an olive branch of sorts.

A request to recognize my faith's legitimacy such that we may be able to set aside differences and work together."

"And if they refuse?" said Jeanne, a nervous waver underlining her voice.

"They will not take kindly to the beastwomen residing here, too," commented Sylvie.

"Nothing will come to blows because they know they cannot win. And because nothing will come to blows, the high priests must compete with us in more, say, economical means, and we will respond in kind. They will lose their monopoly over healing, and I will be able to provide it at no cost.

Adventurers that wish to learn priestly spells will find themselves with a viable alternative in the form of Druidry.

The poor and stricken whom the temple rely upon will find that they have a far better place to turn to for shelter and grain.

But of course, this is only if they do not cooperate. Yet if rationality prevails, then I am hopeful that cooperation between the green and the light can come to be."

Jeanne appeared happy at the idea, but Sylvie had a wondering expression on her face. Li could tell a question was brewing within her head, but before it could be put into words, she was interrupted by the sound of charging footsteps.

A young man broke into the clearing of the shrine, his black hair frazzled, and his breathing labored. One of the younger farmers that had decided to join his father in the fields, Li recognized.

"What is it?" said Li.

"Knights, O great seer!" said the man in between heavy breaths. "A great many of them. Order of Lys, aye, the whole lot of them, I figure. And the lord, too, his carriage be with them. They're rattlin' up and around our farms, wantin' to see you."

"I was expecting them a little earlier than this, but no matter," said Li as he gave an appreciative nod to the young man. "Be calm, for no harm will fall upon your livelihoods. I will talk to them."