Summary

The novel opens with a description of a bandit attack on the village of Lapvona. The narration introduces Jude, the village lamb herder, and his son, Marek. Jude is an estranged cousin of Villiam, the lord of Lapvona. Marek suffers from a physical disability. Marek journeys into town to assist in burying the dead from the bandit attack, but cannot stomach the sight, and ends up returning home instead.

Marek stops at the pillory to visit a bandit captured during the raid. Marek attempts to pray over him and kiss his head, but the bandit spits in his face. Marek kindness toward the bandit pleases himself, as he believes it has earned him grace from God.

On his way home, Marek passes two guards that work for Villiam, and they ignore him. Marek decides not to tell Jude about his interaction with the bandit...