Prudence stood outside in the light mist, shuddering in aftershocks of what she perceived as passion. She didn't quite register the bone chilling cold that settled over her, still in the grips of her master's words. With trembling fingers, she wound her hair into a loose bun and tried to conceal the curling blond tendrils under the now crumpled bonnet. A sharp metallic smell seemed to drift up from her clothes but it made her mouth water and her breasts tingle. The minister had always fascinated her but she had never thought he would turn his attention to her. He was a powerful leader in the community and she was just a nobody, nothing, an orphan with no family and no one to care if she came and went. Today when Mistress Wagner was revealed as the Whore of Satan, he had looked at her. Really seen her and his blazing eyes seemed to draw her as a moth to the candle flame.<br/><br/>The church had looked strange, as if the whole world about it had been turned upside down, but then love did that to a girl, didn't it? She loved him, her master. Her Master! he had claimed her and what joy had shown her. No matter that she was confused about some of the pain and some of what seemed wrong, he had chosen her and she would do whatever he wanted if she could have more of his attention. He had said, every third night. Prudence hugged herself as she stepped into the forest. Every third night. She could hardly wait that long.<br/><br/>The moonlight showed brightly in patches through the dormant branches and the pines gave eerie shadows that leaped with every breath of the wind. Her boots crunched on the dead leaves underfoot and she started once when a screech owl abruptly took to flight right under her nose. In the distance the shadows deepened and Prudence had chills on her neck as if she was not alone.<br/><br/>Mercy was looking for truffles in the light of the moon but was having little success. She was troubled over the day's business and the gossip Jane had tendered. At the sound of crunching leaves, Mercy crept closer to the shelter of a giant oak's trunk to see Prudence coming from the direction of the meeting house. The girl seemed to be distracted or at least lost in thought, not a good thing to be at night in the woods full of predators. Mercy waited until she had passed and then stepped out directly behind her.<br/><br/>"How goes it with you, Sister Prudence?" she asked the young woman without preamble.<br/><br/>Prudence startled, giving a gasp as she turned around. "Where did you come from Goodwife Jones? Did you spring from the Earth by some manner of witchcraft?"<br/><br/>"Shhhh," Mercy put her finger to her lips. "The trees are full of ears and words of witchcraft even spoken in jest could buy someone a pyre. I was collecting mushrooms in this clear light from the moon but the mist has become as thick as rain which hinders me."<br/><br/>The girl was now shivering with cold and looking at Mercy most peculiarly.<br/><br/>"I have no place to stay tonight. "Prudence said truthfully and innocently. "Goodwife Smith claims her days of service are over for this month but Goodwife Cook says her time for service does not begin until the new moon."  She gazed at the full orb peering through the trees. "In truth, I do not know where to go or what to do. In the day, they both want work done but at night shut the sash against me. Prudence sighed and turned to go.<br/><br/>Mercy laid a hand on the girl's arm. "I have  a spare pillow and quilt. You may sleep at my hearth until time for Goodwife Cook to take you in."  She muttered something about Christian charity below her breath.  Prudence caught her hand and kissed her fingers.<br/><br/>"Oh, thank you, thank you, you will never know what this means to me. "  and then she did the oddest thing.<br/><br/>Prudence laid her palm against Mercy's heart and then slid her fingers over the front of Mercy's dress, to brush against her nipple.<br/><br/>She tugged at Mercy's hand and said, "Take me home."