“They watched in anger as the pious crowd brutalized the young men while shouting vulgarities and invoking the Almighty. It was obvious that over the centuries the people’s devotion had been perverted into this bloodlust. And they had finally had enough. Once they saw the ropes being strung up they broke their edict, showing themselves. They could no longer wait until death had come to do their task, they would end these atrocities now. As they descended from above, like birds of prey, some swooped the tortured youths from the clutches of their persecutors, carrying them off to safety, while others turned their attention to the fleeing mob.”