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“Aha. You are quite knowledgeable, then. I’m a bit surprised the Sandlords shared that with you. Last I knew, they had all but disavowed her.”

It wasn’t quite Hector’s first time hearing of her, but the man did have a point. Despite how well Hector had gotten to know the Sandlords lately, he had barely heard Azai’s name mentioned. Compared to the Rainlords and Lhutwë, the difference was notable. The Rainlords didn’t appear to be avid believers, either--apart from Axiolis and a few others--but at least they still talked about him a fair amount.

In fact, there was even a certain degree of fondness that Hector detected when they did so. Like they were wishing for a simpler time, when they were all more unified and devout.

Not terribly surprising, given all they’d suffered through, of late.

Azai, though. Hector had been meaning to learn more about her. Perhaps now was a good opportunity, but he apparently should’ve just asked Garovel. He might’ve grown a bit reluctant to ask the reaper about anything regarding religion or “gods,” but now that he was thinking about it again in a background thought process, it seemed obvious that Garovel would know all about her, given his Lyzakki heritage.

Not that Garovel was going to bring that up in front of Caster here. Hector would’ve been shocked if he did. Instead, the reaper merely remained silent and let the Marauder continue.

“There was once a time when the Sandlords, as you know them today, were called the Lyzakks. I’m certain you know that much, at least. But before they were Lyzakks, they were just a disparate assortment of nomadic tribes. They were as poor a people as you could possibly imagine. Living in squalor. Battling the elements constantly. Barely surviving. Being preyed upon by powerful kingdoms who viewed them as nothing more than godless savages. Which, in fairness, was not entirely inaccurate.

“Then came along Azai, who took pity upon them. As the Goddess of Sand, she granted to them a great desert and taught them its secrets. Not just how to survive in it but how to thrive. How to use it to their advantage against their adversaries. How to build structures that would endure. How to conduct agriculture in the harsh environment. How to become settlers. And soon enough, they began coming together as one people, a grand unification of tribes under her guidance.”