“Forgive me Mother, for I have sinned.”
The words echoed in my head as I asked forgiveness over and over again, bouncing around and muddling until they became unintelligible chanting of hollow words. I opened my eyes again and stared blearily into the room. The last of spring’s warm sun was creeping across the floor and I knew it was only afternoon still and glanced about my surroundings. A simple desk stood against the opposite wall and on it I could still see the steam wafting off the stew and the condensation on the ale that had been left there. I imagined I could smell the rabbit cooking on the spit before it was added to the broth… my stomach called for it and I quickly shifted my focus back to asking forgiveness. I would be here for a very long time and there would be plenty of time to feel hungry later. I closed my eyes again.
“Forgive me Mother, for I have sinned.”
My stomach roiled and my eyes flew open. Desperately, I tried to bore my sight through the darkness to see the temptation left for me. In the moonlight I could barely make out the bowl and flagon, no steam or smell wafted from it now, it having been long ago cooled. It would do, any food would do. I tried to stand but the restraints bit into my skin again and I was reminded of why I was there and I relaxed again. While I felt hungry, my repentance was not yet complete. I closed my eyes again.
“Forgive me Mother, for I have sinned.”
I ache all over. My knees, my elbows, my back.. it feels as if somebody has strapped me to a chair and left me to my own thoughts as a strange form a torture. But then again, wasn’t it what I have just done? Lamb’s wool on the leather cuff would have been better for comfort for the next time, but that would be the opposite of why I was tied to the chair, wouldn’t it? It wouldn’t be long now. I closed my eyes again.
“Forgive me Mother, for I have sinned.”
“What have you done, child?”
