The stranger and Meg locked eyes. She took a deep breath, beginning to say something, but he cut her off by pressing one finger to his lips.
Instead, the stranger tapped the shoulder of a townsman. "Excuse me, good sir, but who is this woman put to shaming?"
"You must be a stranger," the man observed, "else you would have surely heard of Meg Masers and what evil she has done. Raised great scandal, I promise you, in Godly Master Novak's church."
"You are correct. I am but a stranger. Just arrived from where I was held captive. You see, the ship I came in was blown off course, only to run into a horrid storm not half a mile from the shore. The ship sunk and I alone made it. The natives saw this and took me prisoner, just now letting me from my captivity. Will it please you to tell me of Meg Masters'- did I get the name right?-offences to earn her a spot by the scaffold?"
"Ah yes, yonder woman, you must know, is the wife of an Englishman by birth, but who stayed in Amsterdam. Some time back he decided to come and throw his lot in with us in Massachusetts, and he sent his wife before him. About two years the woman has been here without word of her husband."
"I see," the stranger nodded. "Why does the father not stand beside her in her shame?"
"None know, for she won't tell his identity. 'tis a shame, I'd like to see him which tempted her take the shame he deserves. That's why her punishment's so light, it is. Surely a young woman so fair would have been greatly tempted by the gent."
"Wise sentence. However, I'd sure like to know the identity of the man as well."
On the platform the mind of the woman which they spoke of was racing. It was fear that gripped her heart now, not that she was one to admit it. Despite their piercing eyes Meg was glad for the crowd. Their gaze providing protection from the man so far, yet much too close for comfort.
"Meg Masters!" a voice from behind her boomed. Looking down on the spectacle from behind the platform was a balcony which held the most respected of the town. Her judges. The officials of the town who had shown her "mercy", yet there was not a group less capable of judging a woman to ever be found.
Governor Michael who stood proudly as ever upon the balcony was young, yet if one didn't see his face, his demeanor could easily have been believed for that of an old man. He possessed none of the impulses of youth, but instead was stern tempered and somber of nature. By his side was he whom possessed the voice which had broken her concentration on the stranger; the elder of the two clergymen, reverend Raphael. It was he who spoke next.
"I have requested of my young brother here that he be the one to entice a confession out of you, for he knows you better than I, thus knows what kind or harsher words would cause your stubborn silence to melt to the truth here before those of us on Earth, and before Heaven itself. You should no longer hide the name of him who shared your sin, but let him take his rightful place before your side in shame. Him who tempted you to this grievous fall. However, reverend Novak has refused my request," Raphael glanced to his other side where the younger reverend stood though his voice was still loud enough for all to hear, "What say you, once again, Brother Novak? Must it be you, or I, that deal with this sinner's soul?"
"She is of your congregation," Governor Michael spoke up, "her soul, as it should be and still now after staining, is rightfully your responsibility."
All eyes of the town that were not previously such turned their gaze to Castiel Novak. The pastor had come to them after years of study of theology at fine English universities, bringing all the learning of the Old World to the New. His knowledge and religious favor had already given him a high position of respect. His person was easy to look upon with interesting features, dark brown hair and brow, yet blue eyes bright as the sky. More often than not he could be found secluded away in his study pouring over books, yet came fourth when occasion.
At the current moment the trying nature of his position was driving the blood from his cheeks. He lowered his eyes for a moment in prayer before stepping forward to address the woman looking up at him from below, yet not as far below as the rest of the town.
"Meg Masters," he said to her, meeting her gaze, "You've heard the words these good men have spoken. Don't have mistaken pity for he who hath wronged you, and if you do let it be in the form of confession so his sin may be brought to light and his heart lightened from the burden. In order to make your own punishment more effectual towards salvation allow him to step down from his high place since he shan't do so without your assistance. Let him stand beside you to share your shame." Castiel Novak's vice was sweet, rich, deep, and broken. The crowd waited for the answer to spring forth to the lips of the woman, for whom could still refuse? Some even expected the man to step forward himself.
Instead, Meg simply shook her head.
"Woman, transgress not beyond the limits of Heaven's mercy!" exclaimed Reverend Raphael, more harshly than before. Speak out the name! That and thy repentance may avail to take the scarlet letter of your dress!"
Meg looked up at him with a smirk, "No. I will not speak." There was a hint of challenge in her words, an unspoken 'and you can't force me.'
Raphael and Michael looked livid, yet the younger reverend looked almost impressed. "Wondrous strength and generosity of a woman's heart! She will not speak!"
The elder clergyman pointed his gaze back over the crowd. Instead of continuing to fight a fruitless war he began preaching. Dwelling upon the symbol in such a way that made it seem to derive it's red hue from the very pits of Hell. On and on he went about the ignominious letter and the sin of which it represents.
Meg, meanwhile, kept her eyes trained over the crowd, unseeing, until it was over. She was lead back along the path, and through Hell's gate once more.
A/N: I bet no one at all can guess who the dad is, right? Pft, of course not XD
Anyway, a HUGE thanks to my first two reviewers!:
Chinchikurin! (I shall keep writing, and I'm so glad you're excited for this :D You completely made my day!)
Guest (I love the book so far as well! A chapter ahead of where I should be for class XD)
So I hope everyone else who reads this despite the crumby summery (Any suggestions btw?) is enjoying it as well! And if you're getting bored I just want to casually point out that in the next chapter you get to see who the husband is *cough cough*. So anyway please review :)