As a writer of fiction, I try to never let facts get in the way of a good story and for the right audience, these circumstances combine to make a good, if shallow story.  Another's motivations, on the other hand, are my bread and butter.  Circumstances define the plot.  A character's motivations define the actions of a hero or a fool.

If I were going to write a martyr story the motivations of both the victim and the perpetrator would consume the majority of my before-I-sit-down-to-actually-write-time.  Do I want to write a heroic tale or a tragedy?  Which character is the hero?  The torch-bearer is as much the hero of their own life as the person tied to the stake is.  There could be a good story written from either perspective.

If I were going to write a narrative from the martyr's point of view I would have to find at least one moment in her prior life that defines how she faces the final one.  Does she believe her god will somehow save her from death - I'm referring to rescue not salvation?  Does she believe that because she's young and invulnerable or someone special with plans of her own that death can't touch her?  These are foolish reasons to die.

Or did each young woman (as the originator of this tale hopes you'll believe) decide that her faith was more important than living a life with faith denied?  I wouldn't write this.  It's trite.  Most uncomplicated heroic tales are trite.

But what if she thought she would die anyway and believed that expressing her faith was the best legacy she could hope to leave behind?  Without a bold statement she's just another dead kid.