The next morning was a Sunday. Despite Mari’s pleas to stay home, her father insisted that she go with them to kirk. It was the first time in weeks since they had worshipped as they chose, in a secret kirk service called a conventicle. While the Highland soldiers had stayed there, Mari’s family had gone to the local kirk services, which were now under control of Episcopal curates. Every curate had a list of parishioners. Anyone absent was fined. Should they be suspected of harboring Covenanter sympathies, they could be questioned, forced to take oaths renouncing their faith, and even tortured or executed. Mari had resented being forced to attend the king’s kirk, but complied with her parents’ wishes and attended them every Sunday. Jamie’s death had worn down their spirit. They were weary,
