Sister Ermine decides to visit the village to inquire of the monk, Blessed Donston, that she learned of earlier.
She knows that she has other duties that she needs to fulfill, but she cannot resist an attempt to find a way to end her sleepless nights.
As she approaches the judgment zone, she can see two citizens bound at the stocks. “May the Watcher be with them,” she silently prays, grateful to have never experienced such humiliation herself.
She passes quickly, unable to bear watching the people at the stocks suffering.
She continues the long trek to the village shops where she purchases onion and a book of tales and fables. Maybe the book can aid her in her quest to locate the fountain. After making purchases, she asks around about the monk.
Sister Ermine’s heart is heavy as she returns from the village. It turns out that the monk, Blessed Donston, is one of the prisoners locked up in the stocks. According to a few witnesses he was falsely accused of thievery, which is preposterous to Ermine.
Sister Ermine stands and gazes upon the judgment zone trying to decide what to do next.
Ermine decides to visit the stocks and try to get some information out of the monk.
She can barely get close enough as the executioner and town crier make sport out of sword fighting.
She is finally able to approach the monk, but he is weak and weary. His face is stained red and yellow from the tomatoes and egg yokes that have been thrown at him. She will not be able to consult with the good monk as long as he is locked up.
Convinced of his innocence, Sister Ermine decides to visit the queen and request the monk’s release.
“Ah, your grace, to what do I owe this second visit?” Queen Chalyela asks when approached by Ermine.
“Well your majesty…I was in town when I heard of Blessed Donston’s arrest. M’Lady, I can assure you that he is innocent. I have come to humbly plead for his release.”
“I cannot just allow accused criminals to roam free. Someone must pay for his crime. If he is to be set free, someone else must take his place.”
“But your majesty, I really need to speak with him. Is there anything I can do?”
“But your majesty, I really need to speak with him. Is there anything I can do?”
“I appreciate your good standing in this kingdom your grace, but like I said, I cannot just free him. You can either pay his fine or take his place. Please see royal advisor Kenna when you make your choice…”
Queen Chalyela again turns her back to Ermine.
Ermine sees that she has a big decision to make.
With no other business to attend to at the castle, Sister Ermine leaves, silently praying for guidance from the Watcher.
Sister Ermine knows that paying the monk’s fine would put the already impoverished Peteran church in a worse financial state. However she cannot imagine taking the monk’s place at the stocks. She decides to have a small meal and pray to the Watcher for direction.
While visiting the village shops, Ermine purchased a few onions. She drops them in her cauldron to prepare onion soup.
If she is going to even consider finishing the monk’s sentence at the stocks, she wants her belly to be well filled.
She can barely finish her meal as fear fills her belly, making it almost impossible for her meal to fit amongst worry and anxiety.
After forcing her soup down, Ermine begins to pray to the Watcher for an answer to her dilemma.
Ermine can feel the Watcher’s presence as she enters her second hour of prayer.
The Watcher wants her to sacrifice herself for Blessed Donston. She is to take his place at the stocks.
Ermine lies down on her bed and attempts to get as much rest as possible. She does not know how long she will be forced to remain at the stocks, so she will need as much energy as she can get.
A little child stands at Ermine’s wash bowl splashing water…
The splashing sound guides Ermine into a vision of water splashing in the mysterious fountain. She can see herself there washing her face and hands in its mystical glowing water; You are close child. Seek me…seek me.
Ermine wakes not fully rested, but peaceful.
As a last resort, before seeking to trade places with the monk, she pulls out the book of fables. Maybe she can find answers there.
Sister Ermine finds the fables to be entertaining, but they are just that…fables.
She has no choice but to take the monk’s place at the stocks.
