Hey. I just couldn't wait this longer, so here's another chapter you to read. I hope it pleases you.
Comments would also be nice to have.

This should be a couple of songs for listening:
Nightwish, End of all hope
Titanic Piano theme

****

Since that day, Erik was back on his own. He did not go to the village because people who lived in there knew him, and would certainly be stoned him if he would go there. In his mind he wanted to go back to the monastery, as he longs for a few moments there and Ingnatius brother, who had been his support and security to the last.

Erik's path took him to distant lands, and on his journey he was trying to do as much good as to what was taught to him in the monastery. Finally, he arrived in the city, which he hadn't been since his birth, but he doesn't know it, and he did not intend to go to first to demand his rights crown.

He wanted to do otherwise, and perhaps look a around little. So he walked along the cobbled streets of the city, until ended up in the chapel.

He fell to his knees before the altar and prayed himself for the protection and the force to carry out his task. He doubted, however, anyone would hardly believe him, especially if they saw that shameful mark first. After praying he came out of the chapel and the sky began to darken at night, so he find the street place to sleep over the night.

He didn't go to Inns, because there were easy to get trouble, as he look like beggar, and he had no money. Even bigger noise would rise, if by chance someone would see the mark of shame. These experiences were pretty enough to him, so he would rather be avoided them if possible.

He snuggled up in a secluded corner, dragging a trip consumed clothes more tightly around him. He was going to get up at dawn and then continue his journey to the Royal Palace. But that did not happen, because before morning he woke up to the fact that the two soldiers shook him roughly.

"Get up." Another snarl and kicked hard to Erik.
"All right." Erik said quietly and got up.
"And then you come with us." Another soldier spat the command out of his mouth and grabbed off Erik's arm
"What I have done now?" Erik asked, anxious.
"We'll find out soon enough, now move on beggar," another laughed and nudged Erik's sharp command to the accompaniment of movement.
"But..." Erik said, but he thought it best to obey the soldiers, for he knew that if he'll resist the soldiers it would follow only more trouble.

The soldiers dragged him along the castle and there dungeons. They shook him in one small dark booth to wait for a continuation, another guard stayen guard. Second guards went to search the King's counselor Julian. Erik knelt on the cold damp floor on the booth and cross his fingers. He prayed and wondered, could things change worse than they already were. He waited and waited, until finally he heard the approaching footsteps.

A moment later, the door opened and stepped into the booth to fine dark man dressed in a costume, behind him a soldier, who carried the torch in his hand.
"You asked to report if we find him, my lord," soldier said, and bowed to him..
"I thank you," Julian said, streching quiet sound, which could heard through the cold and emotionless tone. After that, he turned and looked at Erik, who still squat on his knees on the cold floor.
He made a small mark and another soldier walked over to Erik creates the right hand and pulled the sleeve up, the birthmark became visible.
"Indeed, it is he. It is a miracle that he is still alive. "Julian said with dissatisfaction.
 

Erik didn't say a word, but looked man puzzled. He couldn't understand what the man was talking about, he had never seen him before, even now, when he looked more closely at his face, it seemed vaguely familiar. He did not know when and where he would have encountered him. Perhaps casually in his travels, he thought, but not expressed it out loud.
He was still silent and still, not knowing what to do or ask. He didn't wanted to provoke any of those three, and waited calmly, what would happen next. Suddenly the man tore the sleeve off Erik's left arm, so the brand marking was revealed.

"You still have this, too", Julian laughed coldly and looked pleased to Erik's fearful appearance, when he pulled in shame the sleeve up and tried to cover the mark, "you know what to do," he finally said, and turned to look at the two soldiers.
"Yes, my lord." Soldiers said at the same time.
"He had this with him," another soldier said, and the handed the parchments to man, which he had been seized to Erik earlier.
"So, you know," Julian said coolly, looking Erikiä accurately.
"Not all of it", Erik said truthfully, and already began to discern the reasons why he had ended up here.
"In that case, you stay here as long as I want to", Julian said, and stepped out of the booth, the soldiers behind him.

Erik was left alone in darkness, not knowing what was going to happen to him. He had found his roots, even though there was still gaps in the information, but he knew now that somehow this man was responsible for the events and for some reason, this man wanted to ged rid of him. Hardly anyone would miss him, and because he had not met the Royal family at all, not even these would know of his existence.

Erik noted that the situation seemed hopeless, and probably not getting any better, if wouldn't happen a miracle. If things were bad, they were bright side, after all, he had a roof over his head, well sort of. But he didn't know how hard his life could still be.

Erik very quickly lost sense of time his in the dungeon, because there were no windows and the eternal twilight surrounded him and got all the time to feel the same, boring and meaningless. When he was left alone, he continued his interrupted sleep. When he woke up, he found outside his cell a girl, who was a bit of a younger than himself. Girl was dressed in a maid outfit. The girl looked at him curiously and startled noticing he was wake up.

"I brought you some food. Feeding of prisoners includes many of my duties," she said, pushing the bowl of soup, some bread and drink water between the bars, "what is your name? I heard the guards to reflect on that, you stay here for a long time", she asked curiously.
"My name is Erik," the young man said shyly. He was entirely enchanted by her beautiful face and reddish-blonde hair.
“Well hey, Erik. I am Maria",she introduced herself in turn, "We'll meet often."

There were shout in the dungeon staircase. Maria glanced nervously in the direction of the sound.
"I have to go now.'ll See you again, Erik," she shouted again, before hurried up the stairs to basket with her.

"I'll see you. I can not wait," Erik muttered like charmed in response to the blank walls.

Erik, could not stop thinking about the beautiful Maria. The girl brought food the young man every single day for, and little by little they got to know each other. Maria's visits became Erik's highlight of the day, and when she wasn't so busy, she stayed a chat with young man.

The girl does not wince Erik's burning mark, but was very sympathetic towards the hard experienced young man. Erik told Maria, his life in the monastery and Maria again entertained the boy by multiplying inside things of the castle walls. Very soon, the young man realized that he was fallen in love whit that happy girl.

One day, the advent of spring to Erik became hot in his cell when sun warms the castle stone foundations. He rolled his sleeves up and lie down on the floor. He doze off until he heard Maria's familiar steps approaching. He rose with a smile to sit waiting for the girl handed him his dinner. After that Maria sat down in front of the cell. After a while they were talking about this and that, until Maria's eyes widened with surprise and she raised her hands up her mouth.

"What's matter with you?" Erik asked, worried, until he noticed Maria's looking at his birthmark wide-eyed.
"Why didn't you tell me you're long-lost prince?" Maria whispered in shock.

Erik told her to calm down, and quietly began to tell the day on which he was expelled from the monastery, and he went to search of his roots. From time to time he stopped hearing the sound, in order to ensure that the guards wouldn't listen to him. Eventually, he got it into the night, when he had been arrested and locked up the castle dungeon.

"As you can see, my situation is hopeless," Erik decided to report. "Please, don't tell anyone what I just told you. You would only get troubles and they take away the last of my joy." Maria blushed to hear words of a young man and promised not to tell anything to anyone. She however, decided to try to get the young man free.

Maria handled the end of the round, which was not passed very long time, because Erik was the ultimate booth of the deepest corridor and the only prisoner of the whole corridor. Erik did not even know others existence, because they sounds have never reached to his dark little booth. He had begun to wait for those moments when he saw Maria, but his misfortune that budding friendship was discovered, and Maria was no longer allowed to come anywhere near his booth.

She was very tempted to break this new rule, but was too frightened of what it would follow. So then Erik was all alone, and no longer have even food, as the guard soldiers didn't bother to bring it to him. Erik had always been very thin, and now he's lost weight even further and started to be just skin and bone. But he did not care about it, he had experienced hunger before imprisonment, and this was no exception.

From time to time thirst bothered more than hunger. His mouth was constantly dry and he was waiting for every drop of water, like rising moon, albeit Guard soldiers brought water when they brought water when they remembered and sometimes it took time for so long, that in the meantime Erik had time to be an uncomfortable feeling, and he had to drop in to questionable means to obtain even a couple of drops in his mouth. He does not like to do so, but sometimes his had to, if Guard soldiers was not seen for days. At other times he was resting peacefully corner, because he knew that overwork could only make it feel worse.

In these horrifying moments of discount he hoped that God would help him and it brought little comfort to him, even if the thoughts ran away sometime to the old life of the monastery, and sometime to Maria, whom he had long ceased to be seen. It had been his only pleasure and it was now denied from him. He knew very well who was behind it. It was that horrible man, who had not yet been told his name, and who seemed to be enjoying some level of this situation and the fact that he was able to make his prisoners life, if possible, even worse.

If life had been hard, so it made it now like a hell by the fact that this man came up to put the guard soldiers to beat him up from time to time, so that the dorsal skin was now a bloody streaks, which could hardly touch anything.

After the first time Erik was just lying down corner, unable to move, because every little movement seemed to wake up stinging pain his dorsal skin.

He couldn't prevented tears to come, and he hoped at the time of death, more than ever his life. He know as if he could somehow escape, life still wasn't a treat.
Although Erik was still a young age, he had aged prematurely. Deep grooves had appeared his face and dark tangled hair was decorated with a few gray stripe.

Sense of time went worse mess, just that he knew that was the day and even the summer, when the hot sun warmed walls of the hottest times of the summer. In winter, it was cold, and if possible even more humid.
He did not know how many years had passed, when one day they watch the soldiers came back and tied him onto the roof hanging chain. Erik was preparing to receive the hits, which should once again. It was as if he were numb with pain, because hardly noticed any of the first hits that slammed in the back. Those hits were followed by new and new, until the guard finally stopped.

Guard soldier ordered his colleague to remove Erik, who fell bundle on the floor. Doldier guards didn't care where he were walked, but he stepped on a large armored legs so powerfully Erik's lower leg, that was a powerful popping sound, which told the lower leg bones broken under the weight of a soldier. It wasn't needed much, because Erik's bones were brittle due to starvation. It did not take the pain away and Erik howled in pain, which tore his leg. He cried until unconsciousness pardoned him.

After long darkness he woke up, and a small involuntary movement was wake up the sleeping pain in his leg and make him groan in pain. He didn't move from his place, because every little movement made the pain of a broken leg flashback. He was able to see in low light, how badly warped his skinny leg was and thought that no one would take care of it right. The next thought was that it is unlikely to have to fix, because merciful death might take him before it.

Time passed slowly in the dark, and after a long time he heard to the steps in the corridor, as soon as they end. Was a key ring clink, thud and whining noises when the door was opened. Soon the two guard soldiers stepped into the booth. Another was holding a torch in his hand, and the other walked over to Erik. Behind them walked that dark man dressed as a proud and slick looking like before.
 

"Well, I think this start to get enough", said Julian and smiled with satisfaction. Erik saw how his eyes flashed in the light of the torch, "now, we'll put an end to this. We need only the consent of the King, and I want that he sees you and that you see him, before you are executed for treason and conspiracy to the King." He went on calmly and smiled with satisfaction.

Erik didn't answer, because what he, a minor ragamuffin, could make in this situation. He was completely under power by this man and even though if he would try to tell someone, so who would believe in him, except Maria. No one, and especially if they see the mark of shame, then even less. So, he just squat position head down and hoped that even the end would be a quick, because he had already suffered enough of this miserable life. He also hoped that no one dear person to him would to have been need to see what was going to happen, especially he did not want that Maria and Brother Ignatius never see, because he wanted them to have better memories of him.

"Yank him that, because first we're going to see the King, he want hear your underhanded." Julian said with satisfaction.
"He certainly wanted to hear what you have done." Erik laughed joyless and was immediately rewarded shock on his face.
"You keep your mouth shut." Julian growled and Erik thought he heard a slight fear of this sound.
"Or you what?" Erik asked mockingly. "Is there anything you haven't already done?" He added, and flat-footed guard stepped on his broken leg and caused him to scream in pain.

"As we talk about later. Keep your mouth shut or I cut your tongue out. "Julian growled angrily.
"What ever, although who would believe me anyway. I'm a prisoner, and god-forsaken man", Erik laughed bitterly produce a joyless laughter that sounded mostly like croaking, "You've taken everything from me." He added quietly, and scream in pain again, when the soldiers pull him up and broken leg announced its existence.
"Let's go." Julian gave angry and commanded Guard soldiers dragged Erik with them, no matter how much he was hurt.
Erik tried not to cry in pain every single time a broken leg hit paving stones or somewhere else. He tried to move a little himself, but a broken leg didn't supported him at all.

He blinded in sunlight, when they came out of dark pits of the dungeon and arrived in the courtyard, which he was dragged across. There was a day, but Erik didn't see anything because his eyes had become accustomed to low-light conditions, so that the bright sunlight hurt his eyes. It took a a very long time, before he began to distinguish anything.

The soldiers pushed the large oak door open and stepped forward until they stopped and shook him the stone floor. Broken leg hit badly on the floor hard and made him groan in pain. Erik stayed in his place and looked carefully around him, when his eyes to get used gradually to a slightly softer light.

He saw before him a platform with two thrones, one of which sat a proud man, and another beautiful woman and we both had a golden crown on their heads.

Although Erik knew about the birthmark, which was inside of his right hand elbow, and that the those two may have had his real parents. Doubts arose in him, and he thought that he couldn't possibly be a descendant of those noble people. Not in him was nothing grand, he was just a god-forsaken ragamuffin, he thought, and weighed miserable his gaze to the stony floor.

Maria had followed the soldiers and bright tears rolled by her cheek when she saw how miserable condition Erik was. She had hoped for a better to that man, though now it seemed that there was no hope. She was going to run for Erik's create and defend him even at the risk of loss of her own freedom, when she felt bony fingers gripping her shoulder. She was barely suppressed exclamations, and turned to look slim monk's robe dressed men who stood hidden in the recess. The man raised his finger in front of his lips to indicate silence.

"Forgive me, Miss, I didn't mean to scare you", he said kindly.
"Who are you, and why don't you let me help Erik?" Maria asked, looking stern man, although this clearly was God's servant.
"I'm Brother Ignatius and I'm sorry that I did this, but there is another way. Besides, do you think that they believe the service maiden just like that. "Brother Ignatius said, and was right. “At the moment that counselor have more power than you and Erik. Let me handle this, and you can nurture Erik later, if I succeed", He added, and sighed heavily.
"What are you going to do then?" Maria asked now calmed down, but still felt that he should go to Erik's side.

"You'll see it then. I may perhaps have power over the crooked counselor, I mean words, even though I think he's trying to do everything possible to get his plan done", Brother Ignatius said, eyebrows wrinkled.

"Julian, what is this?" Said the king, standing up from his throne and looked questioningly at his counselor, gaze moved slowly a vibrating unstuck lying on the floor.
"Oh, your Majesty, I wanted that you see a man who has accused of planning against you." Julian replied slick voice, bowing deeply at the same time.
"That ragamuffin?" The king asked, and he saw how tormented look over there on the floor squatting man had. His eyes were sunk deep wells and pale face was almost skull-like, because pathetic creature was so skinny.
"He indeed, oh Majesty." Julian said, nodding. "I would suggest that he was executed as soon as possible and left to hang from the gallows a warning to others." He went on and glanced at the same time Erik, feared that he would say something.
"I want to know whether the prisoner something to say in his defense." The king said, ignoring the opinions of counselors.
"Oh, your Majesty, he is not worth it. I know what he has done. "Julian hurried to say.

"Be quiet, Julian, you know the law." King rumbles and walked over to Erik creates.
Steps to hear Erik gently lifted his gaze, but pressed it back down soon, as felt that he wasn't worthy of that noble man.
"What do you say for yourself?" The king asked, and Erik looked him with caution and fear in his heart.

"I don't have anything to say to your Majesty." Erik said quietly and avoided the king's investigative gaze. "I ..." He began, but fell silent, as the same he saw Julian, who standing behind King, moved to towards his hand uplifted.

Heart pounded in his chest, when he stood up on his shaky feet, he ignore the pain, which is a slight weight calculation yielded a broken leg. He arrived in time to push the king's side, when Julian became up. Instead of being hit by the king, Julian's beautiful dagger blade sank in Erik's chest.

Erik heard the king, confused exclaim and Julian's ugly cursing to the soldiers, witch take him to tight grip. Erik stood swaying in his field and felt detached from the whole of this chaotic situation, which sounds soon became vague porridge in his ears. He swaying worse, until without warning all the forces seemed to have disappeared from his members, and he sank on the floor, without hitting cold stone pavement, because someone grabbed him in his arms.

The king stood up and looked dazed to Julian which now stood before the soldiers tonglike statement. His gaze moved to that man, who had just saved his life, and who now rested in the arms of a monk. who have appeared on the scene. Next to Monk appeared the maid, who looked sad, this man who was getting old before his time, even if he was a young.

"Now I want to know what is going on." King said firmly because he was puzzled, and many of the questions that rose in his mind, wanted an answer.
"Excellency, the issues will have to wait for a while, it's now required of a physician," Brother Ignatius said sensibly. "I promise to answer truthfully all your questions with the information that I have, as long as my protege must first be submitted to the treatment."

The king commanded the two guard carry Erik as soon to his personal healer creates and and promised Brother Ignatius that his rescuer should get the best possible treatment. So began the most difficult struggle Erik's life until that - the struggle of life. He was starving, bruised and lost a lot of blood.

Healers were working night and day to try make his condition stable. Broken leg was splinted and he received food and herbs dagger sting. All the time, he was plagued by terrible pains and even a high fever caused him to have nightmares. Maria not even once left beside the young man, who was struggling with his life.
Julian closed in to the same cell, in which Erik was once got so bad treatment, and wait for the coping of truth and his destiny.

When Erik was obtained from the treatment, Brother Ignatius stayed to discuss with the king. He told the monarch Erik's stages of life, how he was orphaned and had since been walking around to belong to anywhere. He told him about mark of shame that was falsely burned to this flesh at a young age.
The king heard Erik's step monastery and deportation.

After that story came a point when which events of Brother Ignatius didn't know until a year ago, he was worried when Erik's letters were been stopped at all. The monk had arrived at the scene to search for Erik, however not to find this.
Slowly litle by litle he was find out Julian's plans, and he had begun to think about how to get Erik out of the hook. Then it all was gone very wrong and Erik had a dagger on his chest.

"There's no doubt about it, I've actually read the stories and seen the birthmark. Erik is your long-lost son. Now that I've seen a your gracious face, I know I'm right," Brother Ignatius decided his story.
The moment the king could not say anything.

"You call him Erik. Gave that name to my only son," said the king granted, through the eyes of sorrow. "Let's take a look at the boy. Birthmark to prove the matter. We will finally know if my son alive. If this is the case, you expect a great reward."
"For me, I don't want anything, I'm a monk, after all, and I have given God vows of poverty. Erik's happiness is enough reward for me", Brother Ignatius said as they walked towards the sick room.
"What is the young man's situation?" the king asked the healer.

"The Son state is a bit more stable and it is more likely that he will survive", one of the healers said.
"That's good," said Brother Ignatius and wrinkles caused by concerns smooth on his face. "God is still with him."

He walked over to the young man to the right side and lifted the sleeve. Bear's paw-shaped birthmark revealed under the dirty surface of the skin. The king gasped sharply. Tear rolling on the king's cheek while he was watching to this young man, his son, suffering. He decided at that moment Julian execution. Though that former counselor should languish in that booth and wait for the execution until Erik would be in better shape. It seemed that Erik's healing would take a long time.

Here is few extra picks. :)

The Village

Erik is a childish