The guards shackle both arms of Merlin on one of the posts. Lord Ryan makes a step towards Merlin and looks closely into his eyes: "Merlin, look at this." His master shows him a big whip. "I'll use that to punish you. I won't stop until you call me your master. Do you understand that?" Merlin answers angrily: "I'll never do that. I won't betray my master. Before I'll do that, I prefere to die." Lord Ryan shakes his head: "Merlin, I don't want you to die. All I want is your loyality. And I'll get it. We will see when you change your mind." He walks arround him and raises his hand. With his full strength, he hits Merlin's naked back. "Aaahh!" Merlin screams. A blow with that whip hurts more than Merlin has expected. A second and a third blow follow. His master again walks arround his young slave: "Merlin you are stronger than you look. But believe me, I've always won this game. Don't make it so hard for yourself." He pauses, worried he adds: "Give up! I don't want to do that. It hurts me to see you in that way. But I'll go on, so please call me your master!" Merlin doesn't answer. He just closes his eyes. Lord Ryan sighs and two more blows follow. Merlin's screams echo over the whole market. Already big red stripes appear on his back.
Some more blows follow, all accompanied by Merlin's bloodcurdling screams. Suddenly it is silent. Merlin is fainted, he hangs in his shackles. His back is covered with big red stripes. Some blows have hurt him more than others. They have cutted into his back. He bleeds. Lord Ryan walks arround to face him. He looks sadly at his slave. Then he turns towards one of his guards: "Bring a bucket water!" The guard starts running. Lord Ryan makes a step closer to Merlin. He takes his head in his hands: "Merlin, you are really stubborn. I like that. But believe me, I won't give up. I'll get you. I'll always get what I want. And now I want you to accept me as your master." He takes his hands off and looks arround him. They are surrounded by a big audience: "He needs some recovery." The audience isn't interested in his words, they are discussing and hooting. They want him to go on.