For her next test, Ermine has to sacrifice something that she holds dear. She must make a fresh batch of naptime tea and pour it down the well. She wants to be obedient, but her tea is the only thing that gets her even half way through the night.
As Ermine heads back to the church, she spots a woman weeping.
“Sister what troubles you? Why do you weep?” Ermine asks.
The woman turns to face her.
The woman turns to face her.
“What troubles you?” Ermine asks again.
“I saw need to repent for my sins. I have stolen from others and I feel I must pay for my crimes, but I know I shall be sent to the stocks.”
“I saw need to repent for my sins. I have stolen from others and I feel I must pay for my crimes, but I know I shall be sent to the stocks.”
Hearing this and remembering her own suffering at the stocks, Ermine prayers for the Watcher’s favor over this lady who goes by the name of Shady Alexandria. “Please be with her!”
“Go now in peace child for the Watcher will be with you!” Ermine assures Alexandria.
Back at her sleeping quarters, Ermine takes care of a few chores; going over the fountain’s instructions in her head. She will have to find the necessary herbs to make the tea.
Outside the church are various bushes. Ermine goes out to inspect them looking for herbs that she will need.
She finds what she needs.
Right after moving in, Ermine discovered an old cask in a storage closet. She has always used this to brew her tea. She uses it again.
Moments later, she carries a fresh batch of the tea. She does not understand why this must be poured down a fountain, but she has faith that there is a purpose.
As instructed, Ermine drinks a sample of the tea…
…before pouring the rest down the well in front of the church. She has depended on her naptime tea for so long that she feels as if her lifeline has gone down the well with it.
Again, Ermine tends to a few duties. First she stops at the messenger post and pays her taxes.
She then spends time writing for the Watcher.
She closes her eyes, barely grasping her pen, and allows the Watcher to write through her.
Sacred text after sacred text comes forth. Ermine is sure that whatever is being scribed will become a part of some of her upcoming sermons.
Now that she is feeling tired, she lies down to follow the fountain’s next set of instructions. She attempts to get some rest because she has to return to the fountain for her final test.
Sister Ermine is able to rest for a couple of hours, but her rest is not complete. It is time to revisit the fountain.
The sun is bright and Ermine’s journey to the fountain is without challenge.
Sister Ermine once again falls to her knees in front of the fountain where she is given a final riddle to test her faith. Her fate is determined by this riddle. Sister Ermine carefully answers the question…
…but she returns a failure. Ermine answered the riddle based on her knowledge and not her faith. She is disappointed, yet humbled that the Watcher has sent her on this mission. Maybe she can find another way to get a good night’s sleep, but for now she is stuck with her flaw.
