02-11-YC128

LUMEN held its Harvest Festival yesterday and I must say I very much enjoyed it.  Arline makes an excellent Hungry Harvester.  Indeed, I am quite sure she rather relished the role.  As we do here in Nakri, I offered a warm shawl and bread, along with the bottle of family vodka snuck into the box, as symbolic gifts, as well as the more practical gesture of petitions that may be given to those in need to bring to the estate.  It is the first time, of course, that we have ever engaged in this observance outside of Nakri, so I do hope that if LUMEN distribute them elsewhere that the people are not too reluctant to come forward.  I doubt we are known outside of our home system, but I am sure LUMEN will be practical in their decisions.

The event was rather more quiet than I expect, in that there were fewer people there than I anticipated, but the real delight of the night was seeing Tatiana and Ishta.  How strange it is that Ishta's ward shares the same name as her own daughter.  God indeed works in mysterious ways.  Ishta looked well, and Tania, although rather shy, appears to be benefitting from the guidance she is under.  She has been through so much at such a young age it is hardly a wonder that she was so troubled.  However, with the right education and encouragement, she will do well.  I must ask for a more detailed update of how she has been faring.

Her sister and the others miss her, as do we all, really.  I hope she does not resent being placed in the Praefecta's care or that she doubts she can come home should she wish.  I do not think that should be before she is truly ready, but we shall certainly welcome her back when the time comes.  Her letters will have to suffice for now.

I have my own role to play, of course, and I must find some way to have that ridiculous heresy marker lifted.  Honestly, what nonsense! A child simply cannot commit heresy.  Led to it, unknowingly, by corrupted adult, yes, but deliberately engage it themselves? Impossible.  Even the most untutored acolyte could understand that the poor girl has been used as a scapegoat, nothing more.  I must surely be able to find a more decent, honest, and sensible Magistrate somewhere than that dim-witted dullard in Nasreri. I hope so, at least.  The less I am forced to deal with that place, the better.  I suppose there could be other means to have it removed, but we shall explore the conventional before we ponder anything too alternative.

A shame Edward was not at the Festival yesterday.  I was rather hoping to introduce him to the sour milk.