"I'm sorry but I have made my mind up. And once it's done, it's done," Marcus insisted as he slipped his knife back away and approached the struggling Doctor with a small raise of his eyebrow. Maybe, however, he could use this looming threat as a way to better understand this strange man and his strange ways. "I'm willing to make a deal to lighten your punishment, however."

Oh yes, he was quite the business man. After all, he wouldn't negate the punishment, it had to be done and he wanted it done. Publicly too, he had to warn his other slaves to avoid being half as daring as he was. "I will make it fifteen strikes if you tell me a name. A real name, not 'the doctor'. It's a title, not a name. And I'm willing to bargain it down to 12 if you will tell me just where you come from. And real answers, please. Not more mad nonsense."