CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
A horrible wail rose from the distraught woman. The wagoners each grabbed an arm and dragged the fallen man off the platform.
The man who had sat quietly now lifted his head. His eyes showed determination and he stiffened his chin. Shouts rang out of the crowd as they pressed against the spears of the guards.
“Let him go!”
“Release him!”
“Enough!”
The priestess raised her hands and the crowd was silenced. “My people, know that I understand your concerns for our brother here-” She gestured down to the defiant man, “-but know that he does this deed for the betterment of the whole of the island. Without these small sacrifices the Thaqiba will fall and then what shall become of us?”
A sullen silence fell on the crowd except for the woman who continued to sob into
