4. chapter
The monastery and the Expulsion

I was really thinking that I will wait a few days, but the temptation was greater, so here comes a new chapter to you to read, when once it is out there, I have already translated it.
As I have already told at the beginning of the previous section, a big thank you goes to these texts to another author, who has been involved in the writing of this. So big and heartfelt thank you Mustang.

Oh, this part is involved in another character, Luukas, as well as Ignatius, also based to one of the actor, which I admire.

I found a good song in that describes this chapter pretty well; Moment of Peace

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The morning was beautiful and sunny. Erik opened his eyes and looked around ascetic room for a moment, remembering the previous night events. He remembered Brother Ignatius, the man, who had been so good to him.
"Our Lord has said that we all are his children and we have to take care of them. And I don't want, that no one is forced to be alone outside in this weather at Christmas", he had said to him.
That thought confused him. Erik returned to his room, where he had eaten and washed. He went to the stone tray, and washed his hands and face in the refreshing water. Ignatius brother came into the room.

"Good morning, Erik," he said with a smile.
"Good morning, brother," Erik said.
"Did you sleep well? "Brother Ignatius then asked.
"Better, than for many years. I owe you so much", Erik said, and his eyes got a melancholy tone.

Brother Ignatius still smiled warmly and led Erik's for breakfast. There were other monks who took Erik's warm reception. The young man didn't remember when he last had been so happy and feeling belong to somewhere. The day was a variety of chores. The monks advised him with patience and Erik was anxious and quick learner. In the afternoon Brother Ignatius and Erik were once again the two.

"I know that the issue is sore for you, but could you show me that mark your on arm again?" Brother Ignatius asked to Erik.

Erik dug mark up in shame. Burning sign was round. It is bordered snake, within the middle was a tree. It was a grotesque and ugly, like a festering wound that never healed. All the people who had seen the mark, to avoid him like the pestilence. But not Brother Ignatius.

"Ah, now I understand, and all that you have told me makes sense., The snake in the mark means to the biblical snake, which entices Eve evil ways and the tree means forbidden tree of Paradise. Symbol was used to mark those who are abandoned by God. People are afraid of being cursed, if they are dealing with you, not to mention to helping you", Brother Ignatius said.

Erik's posture slumped. So he was a hopeless case. He was beyond help. Just the same, if he would die out. He should be left to monastery, before he would cause evil to them and curse the only people who had been good to him. He rose slowly up and tears were streaming down his face.

"Thank you for everything", he said, "I guess I'm leaving here, then continue the journey."
"What are you talking about, good man?" Brother Ignatius asked confused to Erik, "it's not human matter to judge people, only God has the power to do so. I see your eyes, you're not evil and hopeless. Your soul is pure and you deserve a second chance."

Erik looked confused warm hazel eyes, with a sincere gaze made him tremble and new hot tears rolling down his cheeks. He hugged this man who was so good and fair.

"What must I do to be come like you? I'm going to become a monk and begin to serve God, because of him there are still good men", Erik swore then.

Monastery of the rules was that the new novice would spend months meditating in isolation from other, enjoying only the necessary amount of food. The candidate also came to give up all earthly possessions, which did not cause any problems to Erik. As he didn't own anything besides his old ragclothes. Erik withdrew from the isolated chapel for quiet down, to purify himself and pray. After one month, After three years, would be the ceremony in which Erik would give his oath, and he was consecrated as a monk in the mass. He felt finally found a direction in life.

Later, Brother Ignatius led the Erik to meet the abbot Luukas the leader of the monastery. He had earlier told Luukas what had happened, and what he himself had noticed. In addition, he had promised to take responsibility for the boy. Luukas was very understanding and now wanted to see the boy, who had have clean, but stark and rough clothing on him.

Erik was standing next to Ignatius, and wondered what would happen. The fact that Brother Ignatius stood in a very calm to his place, was likely to calm the frightened boy's mind and so Erik gave his eyes to circumvent the Abbot's room, which itself was austere, but the shelves behind desk were filled with parchment rolls and thick leather-bound books.

There was more parchments on the desk, which also was a bottle of ink, a quill, a small ornate cross and a big book, which undoubtedly was the Bible. Otherwise, a desk, a chair were very simple and the room walls were white-washed and the light flooded into only two small windows.

The abbot stood up and looked closely to Erik with his pepperblack eyes. Erik looked carefully back and noticed that the abbot's hair was already white, and this serene and tight face of was lot of wrinkles left by the appearance of years.

"I've heard that you would like to join us." Abbot Luke said at last, and his voice was much deeper and darker than the Brother Ignatius.
"Yes." Erik said with caution, and the fear that he was thrown out of here too, woke up.
"Ignatius has probably already told you what our policy is and what you must do to reach the value of a monk." Said the abbot, a disinterested tone.
"Yes." Erik said, and the fear grew even more inside.
"Good." Luke said and his sound was slightly softened, but still staying very authoritative. "Know, therefore, that you agree to the rules of monastery and work for your food. Your novice time is three years, during that time you have the opportunity to leave if you want. "He continued, long bony finger up.

"I solemnly promise to comply with you rules and do everything you just want me to do, and if I violate you, I suffered my punishment without a murmur." Erik said, and bowed his head in a small bow.
"Good", Luukas said, running a little twinkle in his dark eyes, "Brother Ignatius has told about your... hmm.. small problem, so maybe it's better that you stay inside the monastery. Thus you avoid problems, and neither do we get them", he added referring the burning brand to Erik's upper arm, which was currently hidden under sleeve.

"Well..." Erik began cautiously, "I don't remember how I got that mark, or why. I do not even remember my real parents. And the woman who raised me, didn't tell me anything. She also denied me to showing my birthmark to anyone", He continued gaze darted apotista Ignatius. He lifted his sleeve, exposing the right arm, which was now clean. Near the front of his elbow was that birthmark, which was shaped like a bear's paw print.

"I'm not afraid to show it to anyone, because I thought that too is a bad sign." Erik said, looking men fearful.
"That's not a bad sign", Brother Ignatius said and looked at the boy with a smile.
"Not at all", Luukas said, and tried to see the the mark more closely.
"If that's it, what I think it is, then I wonder why..." Brother Ignatius began thoughtfully, and then went quiet.

He remembered that the Royal Church books was marked with all children to born the royal their names and identifying details. That bear's paw prints shape of birthmark had mentioned in there. It wasn't in this church. But it was church from neighboring country where he had been travels and looked those important papers, because of another case, which only a few were allowed to read. However, common people have touched those at all, because most of them doesn't even know how to read.

"Well, anyway, now you know my opinion. Brother Ignatius will guide you and you can ask him more", Luukas said.
"I thank you." Erik said with humility and gratitude, and he bowed his head, to a deep bow.

Quietly, he followed Brother Ignatius who led him back to the chapel and promised to come pick him up later. Erik wanted to ask Brother Ignatius, why he had said, what he was said, but decided to keep quiet. Would certainly not have been appropriate for grill to his helper things that didn't belonged to him, he thought, and knelt before the altar to continue what was interrupted this short visit to the Abbot's room.

Although Brother Ignatius reaction confusing him a little bit, but didn't reduced his gratitude and changed his decision that he wanted to stay. He knew that the abbot was right when he said that he would be better to stay inside the monastery walls. That's what he wanted to do, he didn't want to put to shame on the monastery. Erik decided that sooner he would die than allow anyone to do harm to these people, who had been so good to him.

Time passed and Erik enjoy about being in peace for once. It was a bit confusing, when no one didn't come kick him or shouting insults and oust out like the vermin. He strictly followed the rules, Brother Ignatius had taught him, punishing himself, if he found himself doing something wrong.
He was a modest, kind and humble, and did everything what he was asked to do. He helped others without asking, and learned from all kinds of chores, as well as to read, write, and speak Latin, a language most of the religious works of the monastery and the church were.

Although he sometimes wondered what happened to the outside world, he didn't missed there, because he had found himself a place where he was accepted as the way he was. A place that he could call as a home. He carefully warning not to speak or showing that creepy mark on his left arm. Erik knew that after seeing that mark the other monks, would no longer treat him very kindly.
It was enough for him that Brother Ignatius, and Luke knew about that mark, and that he was able to discuss it with them, if it started to bother him.

Three years passed, and Erik was satisfied with his life, and almost happier than had ever been in their whole life. Little food and water were him as a banquet every single time, because before entering the monastery, he was starved and had for days without eating, unless found something rotting leftovers to marketplaces or rubbish heaps. Every single time Erik thanked God for his meals, as he believed that God had led him on that cold night, and had not abandoned him.

Erik believed that he was received more than he dared to ask and hope for and he wanted to pay his debt, but he didn't have anything else to give but himself. He was content for a while anyway, and remained thin, as did most of the physical work of helping others in the common work. These included, among other things, a small herb garden care, as well as occasional heavier work in the field.

Brother Ignatius, was that person to Erik that which he could keep as a Father. For Ignatius was guided and advised him gently and patiently to everything. That man was the only one who Erik was able to discuss matters. He hoped that he might in some way to replace to everything to Ignatius, because without his kindness, he would probably have frozen to death that night, which was now the best of all his Christmas, he had spent in his whole miserable life.

Then came the day when Erik was consecrated as a monk, and he he got a new name. He became the brother Simon.
He lived an ascetic life now as a monk, with which was better life than his life in street had ever been. He prayed a lot, fasted, which did not produce any problems to him. He didn't longed the outside world, because he wanted to remain at the place, which he now could call home.

One day, he was a brother Thomas in a field when he tripped and fell. The robe sleeve was torn off and revealed his left upperarm. He pulled quickly detached sleeve higher, but Brother Thomas had already seen the sign and jumped back in shock large eyes.
Ashamed Erik pulled robe sleeve coverings of his mark.

He felt a blush rise cheeks and tears of frustration burning in his eyes, when he saw the disgust and fear Brother Thomas' face. Shovel were posed, Brother Thomas's hand. The that moment a he could not help but stare.

When this had survived the biggest fright, he ran back to the monastery.

Brother Simon sank into muddy ground and let tears become loose. He prayed for guidance and protection to God. He knew very well that his luck was at risk, when other monks could become aware of his shameful secret. It was likely that he have to leave the monastery.

Brother Simon waved himself and said prayers out loud and crying made his voice shaky. He didn't know whether worn for hours or minutes, when he felt a comforting hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw Brother Ignatius comforting character.

"Let's go in," He said to Brother Simon.

Brother Ignatius helped his protégé up and half-dragged him towards the interior.

He helped Brother Simon to freshen up and applied for a new robe to place the torn one. Other monks watched them litle glareing as they walk past. The word was already abound.

Brother Ignatius helped brother Simon to rest. After a while, one of the new novices came to inform him that in the evening would be held the consultation of the fate of brother Simon. Sorrow filled Brother Ignatius, who knew that Brother Simon was a good and humble.

Evening came, and Brother Ignatius walked to Brother Simon's support towards the chapel. This evening and this consultation would solve Brother Simon's future. They entered the Abbot of the room where the other monks and novices were already assembled and Abbot himself, who was looking Brother Simon through the eyes of sorrow. Chatter filled the room when the young man walked in. There he was now. Disgrace of the Church.
When the last of the members had arrived on the scene, abbot became the consultation.

"As each of you have certainly heard the brother Simon has come through the past, as we do. Perhaps the past is darker than many others, but in the course of it Brother Simon hasn't been able to influence. Me and Brother Ignatius knew from the beginning of that brand, that man has burnt Brother Simon's flesh, when he was a baby. He has been our responsibility and acted in an exemplary monk, it is unlikely any of you can't deny" The abbot spoke to the monks who listening to the speech almost hypnotically.

"I think it is unfair that you never told us about brother Simon's mark for the very beginning," Brother Thomas shouted. "I think he should leave, before disasters strike all of us!" He went on and got approving murmur attention.

"We didn't tell, because we knew how to some of you react! People don't judge anybody abandoned by God, yes, you should know that as you are man of Bible", Brother Ignatius cried out against whit a furious eyes.
Brother Simon had never seen that man so gentle angried.
"We can not know whether God really abandoned him," Brother Thomas said, her eyes sparking.

"I can not do anything else than let you vote., However, I would like to make it known that I do it well with a heavy heart, as I know Brother Simon, I think he is a good, clean and fair-minded. People are already punished him to sin, which he isn't to blame himself. I would humbly ask that you think about it, before you pass judgment on this man, and take him for everything he has", The Abbot spoke using his last statement.

Eventually, it came time to vote. Brother Simon's leaving in favor of all the others, except the abbot and Brother Ignatius. Brother Simon gasped sharply. His worst fears had been come true. He could not stay in that room the gaze on all people, in which a field he had been so happy. Brother Ignatius followed by Brother Simon in this room. He helped him to pack and packed good snacking to kitchen to him and brought his protégé to the monastery gate.

"I am very sorry that this happened Brother Simon. or should I say Erik, because you will now get back your birth name", Brother Ignatius said sadly. Erik hugged Brother Ignatius.
"You have nothing to apologize for me. I owe you my life. Personally, I know that God has not abandoned me. Don't hate these people, who have decided that it is time to me to leave here, they are not bad. They are just scared."

"You have grown wise and noble man," Brother Ignatius said with a smile. Tear glint in his eye, "oh yeah, I nearly forgot. I think that you should start to looking for your roots", Brother Ignatius said and take parchment scroll sheds of his robe and handed it to Erik.

Erik opened it confused. There was a distant Royal family marks, a list of all children born
and specialidentification marks. In this particular Royal family passed inherited a birthmark. Exactly the same, which adorned Erik arm. His heart was pounding, as he took his hand on the next sheet which described the tragic story of a young prince, who was kidnapped when he was baby, and which do so since heard nothing.

Huge reward had promised to finding young prince, as the other sons was never born to the family, to continue the tradition of the crown, and the King's family was dying. Erik's age matched perfectly to the story. Eyes glowing with wonder he hugged brother Ignatius again and whispered, "Thank you, for everything."
"What's in vain. You have earned more good, than what you've got", he said, and look the young man fatherly. gentle For a long time, he followed Erik's back move away from monastry the and hoped that the sun would shine a young man's life, which so far had been so hard and rocky road to travel.