Silent Penance

Every stroke of the belt had left its mark.

"Mr. Sterling, perhaps... let me at least tend to the worst of it," Giles offered, unable to stand by any longer.

Vance's eyes were shadowed. "No," he replied flatly.

He then handed the small tube of ointment back to the butler.

"But, Mr. Sterling..." Giles was at a loss.

In this heat, with wounds so severe, leaving them unattended risked serious infecti