Then he turned quickly and held out his hands to the guards.
As the young man kneeled before the post Nathaniel heard a smothered sob at his side which he knew came from Obadiah.
"Come, Dad," he said softly.

"I can't stand this.

Let's get away!" He shoved the councilor back.

The lash whistled through the air behind him.

As it fell there came a piercing cry.