At last, it ceases. Jane is taken from the stocks, and I am unchained from the whipping post. While the executioners take refreshment, we are paraded before the crowd. Jane is forced to bend and spread her legs so those in the stands can see her battered and bruised thighs and cunt more clearly. And my bleeding back is offered for comment.
Miriam smiles at me. 'I hope you are learning your lesson, Gillian. Some time in the stocks will be an enjoyable rest before they ruin those pretty tits on the whipping post". ' oh, and your lovely twins - you will be please to know that their virginity was auctioned last night, and they were a wonderful success. Unfortunately some of the men went too far, but we know what men are like - she looks fondly at Rupert and puts her hand on his thigh suggestively'. ' a surge of anger 'but you said you would look after them!" Miriam has that superior smirk "and we are - but of course girls in their .... position ... need to work and earn their keep...'. Anyway Gillian dear, you will see them later at the slave auction.
She turns to fhe man sitting on her right, and smiles, making a comment I cannot hear. My spirit breaks as I see and hear those words, and I am in a daze as I am locked into the stocks.
Jane whimpers as she is chained to the whipping post. Helpless against the coming lashes. Six men bring two wooded beams into the square, which I recognize as the bars of crosses. I shudder deeply as I know we will be nailed to them before the day is out.
There is a kerfuffle in the crowded public enclosure, and the guards have a hard time holding back the surging crowd. Bloodlust and excitement, and the crowd are getting restless. There is a huddle of officials, round Judge John, Miriam and Rupert. Six guards are dispatched into the crowd, searching. Two emerge with a young woman, her husband following, beseeching. A rifle butt fells him. Soon there are four women huddled in the square.