9
Roberta approached the barrel and carefully removed the sling around her shoulder. Her shoulder still ached, but she had no choice. She had seen this done before on other ships. The sailor was to grip the edges of the barrel and hold on while he took his punishment. If he couldn’t stay down, they would tie him down. The thought created a bitter taste in her mouth, and her blood began to pound inside her ears, making it difficult to think.
She would leave her shirt on—she had to, or else she would betray her gender. With a deep breath, she bent over the barrel, stretching out her arms, holding back the cry of pain the movement caused her shoulder. Reese stepped into her line of vision, uncoiling a flogger. It did not have spikes embedded in the tails. It was merely a set of leather stri
