It did not matter at all that the return of their ancient goddess was to bring back prosperity.

She had broken their favorite idol.

Damnation would come in a devil's wind that night.
The holy man who had missed the chance of claiming the miraculous appearance of Kathlyn as a work of his own now saw an opportunity to rehabilitate himself in the eyes of those who had made his holiness a comfortable existence.

With a piece of the idol in his hand, he roused Kathlyn and shook the clay before her face, jabbering violently.
Kathlyn understood readily enough.

She had unwittingly committed a sacrilege.
The natives gathered about and menaced her.