The Mercies

Maren misses Ursa while she and Absalom are visiting the lensmann; she “doesn’t know how she existed before her, now that mere days feel interminable” (255). Maren has also grown increasingly afraid of the conflict between her mother and Diinna. She doesn’t recognize her mother in her new cruelty towards Diinna.

Ursa sends a message to Maren to meet her at the headland. Ursa warns Maren that Absalom is writing something that names Diinna, and Ursa suspects that Diinna will be accused of being a witch. Ursa accompanies Maren to warn Diinna and encourage her to save herself by attending service at the kirke. Diinna doesn’t trust Absalom, and Maren and Ursa become more worried when they find a doll that looks like Toril. The doll could easily be called a poppet, used to bring curses onto people. Diinna confides in Maren that she plans to take Erik and go back to her people, safely away from Absalom. 

Absalom works with pleasure on a list. His excitement lasts into the night, when he has sex with Ursa. He says he wants sons from Ursa, but Ursa now understands that she can never like him and doesn’t want to bear his children.