Now, here is a new chapter for you to read. That it turned out faster than I had planned.
I am sorry that I put everything completely upside down, but thought I would try a slightly different style than usual. So, this time it is not just basic bad guy / good guy thing. :)
I hope you enjoy this chapter, even if all of it is a little topsy-turvy, and the characters can be found in new aspects.

***

Since that date Erik was Julian's servant and was forced to do everything ever came up with Julian's mind. Although Erik was a servant, he was treated like a slave. He had to toil from morning to night and every day, which was followed by another, and every year that went forward was the same. He was the first to awake, before rooster singing and the last one who went to sleep.

Every evening Erik, fell tired in pile of hay, which was his bed. He hoped he would never wake up again, but always inevitably morning arrived, as well as new chores.

Erik would certainly plod himself to death a long time ago, unless the other servants and subordinates would have done part of the work that has passed on him.

Erik lost weight again, for he hardly got to eat. He had been passed so much work, that he had no time to eat with the others. And he didn't even dare, for the fear to get beaten on, if something wouldn't be done because of a short break.
Until late at night, he was able to check out whether the kitchen had left scraps to eat, and if nothing was there, he went digging the rubbish heaps, in the same way as when he were a beggar. Usually he found only a very little of anything eatable to compost heap and after that he went to drinking water to rain water barrel. He didn't dare to ask of anything better to drink.

In those very rare moments when Erik happened to have some extra time, he went to the village chapel, praying and slowing down. It was a place where he felt more at home than anywhere else, besides the monastery.

Even Juliankin wondered that Erik ever tried to escape, even though he would have been more than one opportunity to do it. Of course, escape had been Erik's mind several times, but the fear was greater on behalf of loved ones. He was afraid that Julian would find Maria and the child to his hands and revenge to them, if he would run away. That's what he didn't want to happen, so he remained at the castle, and not even considered to escaping and tried to take it all, even if sometimes the suffering and sorrow seemed to be unbearable.

Erik never smiling, nor laughing with the others. His gaze had become sad and empty, scrolling years leaves the deep mark on his face. He only hoped that the death of have mercy on him soon, because he no longer felt that he would cope any more. Mourning the death of the parents was great, but even more he longed to Mary and this smile, a gentle touch and loving nature. He longed to Mary, so much that it was painful.

Erik hid his feelings deep inside him and work almost like an involuntary doll. Julian notice how Erik's appearance changed, and how much he start to look older than what his real age were. At times he felt the sting down inside his heart, but he silenced it quickly.

At no point in Erik didn't think to revenge to Julian injustice for what he has suffered, because it just wasn't his nature. Especially when he had seen how much Julian loved his family and how much cared them, even if he did treats other very cruelly sometimes. Erik doesn't have a heart to even think of that kind of ideas that fought against of all what he had ever learned.

Thou shall not kill, so read in the Bible, and so was Ignatius taught him and he was going to follow it. Maybe he was too nice, but he hadn't learned from life much else, because usually he was left alone, and now he even pulled aside, with longer wanted to make friends with anyone, because he knew that those ties would be cut brutally. He didn't want to experience that gnawing pain again.

Horses were probably the only creatures which Erik cared and who cared to Erik and listened to his worries and sorrows which in those silent hours, which Erik spent whit their company. He took care of those noble animals with care and tenderness, and made sure that they get the best apples and juiciest carrots and the best fodder to eat and clean water to drink.
 

***

One day, Erik was once again taking care of horses that when he heard the three steps, which approached the stables, and finally came to a halt outside. He continued to quietly work with horses which because he didn't want to interfere in any way which if that entrant were Julian and some of his friends. After a while it was quiet, until those three men began to talk, and Erik realized that Julian wasn't with them.

Erik knew that he now have to be even more careful, because the weight of the voices of those men, he was able to read, that this wasn't belong to his ears. Erik knew what men could do to him, and thinking about it didn't make him feel any better. Silently Erik continued preening horse and moved to other side of it, that these men wouldn't see him immediately, if they walk in the stable. He heard every word that these men were saying.

"I've had enough of him", Said the first voice.
"We must act quickly, because if we get caught, he is not very friendly to us", another voice said, "and the thought of his dungeons makes my skin to goose bumps", he continued.
"Don't even remind me that place. I've heard so horrible stories of it and I really don't want to get the whole place, if I can avoid it", joined third voice in the debate.
"He doesn't kill you right away, but first tortured his prisoners go insane." Another voice continued.

"One more word about the dungeon Henry and I'll throw you upon the manure pile", first voice snarled.
"I'm sorry, Sir Nathaniel", man called Henry said.
"Good." Said man called Sir Nathaniel satisfaction in his voice, "now we just have to make a plan how we cast down him", he continued.

"Well..." The third voice began.
"So Samuel?" Asked Sir Nathaniel a little impatiently.
"Would it be better to discuss this somewhere else. I mean someone could hear us, and tell to him", Samuel said cautiously.
"Who you would think hear us here? The horses?" Sir Nathaniel asked derisively, even knew that he was now dangerous waters, when considering such a high-ranking person's murder.
"Someone of his servants", Samuel replied.

"I don't think that they want to tell. They want to his death as much as we do", Sir Nathaniel pointed out.
"However, some of them may tell", Henry insisted.
"He's scared them so that they don't dare to disagree with him", Samuel said.
"Well, if someone tries tell and we'll get him, he'll be as badly as his master", Sir Nathaniel said viciously.
"All right, but I would feel better if we discuss in a place where there wouldn't be any extra ears to listen." Henry said.
"I'll give up. Meet me at my house in the evening. I'll make sure that my servants isn't there to listening us. "Sir Nathaniel agreed.

Erik heard their steps going away the and yet discuss low. He already knew who those men were planning to murder, even if it weren't said at aloud. Because he had already heard how other servants were murmuring, but they never were to do anything, because they were afraid of, such as Erik's, too much to Julian and his punitive measures.

Sounds completely dampened and Erik was left alone whit horses. Absently, he gave the horse a carrot piece, which it took and ate with great satisfaction. After a while the horse poked its chub to Erik lightly on the shoulder, as if to say,; give me more to those carrots.

"All right." Erik said quietly, and gave the horse a carrot and another stroking the velvet soft chub. Horse guffaw with satisfaction and looked at the man, which was enough to the time and kindness to it, unlike the soldiers, and the court lords.

Later, when Erik had been stable stable work done, he moved on to work inside the castle. He waited for the right time to tell to Julian, what he had heard. He knew that he could stand back and not to tell, but because he wasn't that kind of person, he wanted to tell. Finally, an opportunity came and he walked uncertain steps to the throne and looked cautiously to Julian, who seemed to be immersed in his thoughts.

"My Lord." Erik said quietly and bowed.

"Now what?" Julian snapped rudely and glared at Erikiä who had dared to disturb his peace.
"I have something to tell you." Erik said, and swallowed. He was afraid of how Julian react and would he believe is what he had heard during the day.
"Well, come on." Julian react and said, and looked at Erik, who was standing thin and scared of him. He noticed how much Erik had changed over the years. Clothes hanging above him like empty bag and deep furrows was seared on his face. There were dark circles under his eyes and cheeks were sunk wells.
"My lord, I am very evil that I have to disturb your peace, but I heard how some people were planning to murder your Highness", Erik said, and told everything to Julian.
"What nonsense is this?" Julian react and growled and rose abruptly stood up, causing Erik cringe and retreat away from the throne.

Erik was silent, he didn't know what to say and looked scared to Julian who didn't seem to believe.
"N.. nonsense, n... no m... my lord. Not nonsense, b... but the truth", Erik was finally called, even if the heart beat with fear.
"How dare you present that kind of accusations against men who are upper than you", Julian react and growled and glared at Erik like he was a dirty rat.

"I... I'm sorry, my lord", Erik said, and fell on his face on the floor, "I'm sorry." He spluttered quietly and waited to the penalty. He realized, that Julian wouldn't believe, and not going to try it again.

Julian saw how Erik was trembling with fear, and how small he seemed to be. His hatred relented slightly and for a moment he felt pity for this man.

"Get back to your work, and never said a bad word against Sir Nathaniel, who has been a my long-term friend and my support", Julian said, and felt a little pleasure when receiving subdue to Erik.
"Very well, my lord", Erik said quietly, standing up and bowed, and then he disappeared into the kitchen, where the chef already anxiously await him.

Just as Erik had guessed, Julian hadn't believed in him, and he had, therefore, to protect this in secret, even if on the other hand he doesn't deserve it. So Erik observers midst of his work environment in to be able to intervene if he would see those men trying to carry out their plans.

It took days and weeks, so nothing happened, but Erik was still alert. One summer day Julian had invited guests to his castle and also those three men whit them. These men seemed to be satisfied, because they now had the opportunity to implement their plans. Erik constantly be near to Julian, so that the men had none of right moment to do anything.

"Shall we go to ride?" Asked Samuel, who thought that perhaps it would be easier to make the murder, somewere else than castle where the king's servants constantly rotating around him, like now, that one skinny servant.
"Why not", Julian said, because it was nice to get out of the castle walls from time to time.

Erik saw that Henry pull the dagger out, which he was holding, so that Julian. couldn't see it. Apparently, the other two didn't agree with the one who had suggested the riding trip, Erik concluded. He lifted the tray and walked toward guests like to offer them something to drink and like accidentally he bumped into a Henry who were holding a dagger.

Erik felt how cold blade slashed a deep wound on his side, but he didn't let it to stop himself.
 

"You idiot!" Henry shouted and slapped Erik to the face with open hand as hard as he could, "now look what you did to my clothing, you clumsy fool!"
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry", Erik slurred and hold his stinging cheek and bowed deeply.

The side hurts, but he bit his teeth on and tried to take it. He couldn't show that he had been hurt, the way those three would quess what he was trying to do and the consequences could be terrible.

"What is this? You haven't been clumsy before?" Julian said, looking Erik. with dissatisfaction.
"It was an accident, I tripped over my own feet", Erik said, "I am deeply sorry about what happened, and I promise it will not happen again", he went to the same polite, apologetic tone.

Julian looked silently to Erik, because he could not believe that he was quite clearly lieing, and he hadn't done so ever. He could not understand what was going on, he didn't really had time to think about because his guest, took his attention.

"You should put your servant into the fold." Henry hissed angrily and glared at Erik very ugly. He wasn't so much a cranky on spilled wine, as spoiled try assassinate Julian.
"He'll get his punishment later", Julian said to calm down Henry.

He wrinkle brows, when he saw a red coin spread to Erik's right side, although he tried to cover it up. Erik was perhaps, after all, telling the truth, Julian thought and saw how Erik's face had gone pale even further, so that the place where Henry's palm had been hit, shone a nasty red.

"I'm sorry, but I changed my mind, I'm not going to ride with you today, nice as it would be. But if you still want to go, my servant may put the horses ready for you", Julian said, and broke the momentary silence. Something was going on, he knew it, and wanted to avoid the risks for now.

"All right." Samuel said, but seemed to be a disappointed, when his plans fell through too.

Erik nodded silently affirmatively sign and headed to the kitchen to prevail upon the tray and broken glasses off before he could go to the stable as to prepare the horses ready for men. He heard how those men were shouting obscenities and mean things after him, but he didn't cared about them, he was already used to hearing those kind of words and mean things.
 

****

Erik began to prepare horses for riding trip, when he heard steps outside of the stable. They stopped and impatient, irritated voice began to speak to the other, which answered back almost back angrily.
"You and your riding trip", Henry snorted.
"You wasn't successful either when that clumsy servant ruined everything", Samuel replied.
"Since this doesn't work, then we need to act at night", Sir Nathaniel said.
"During the night, then", Henry buckled, even if he knew how risky it was.

Erik knew that he should prevented it at all costs, and he thought that he wouldn't sleep at night, let alone to see the next morning. He worked as usual and took the horses to men.

"Get lost you clod", Henry hissed and aimed at well-directed kick to Erik, "and watched that the rooms are in good shape when we get back, or you get that kind of penalty, that you don't sleep on your back on a week", he snarled.
"Yes, my lord," Erik said quietly. He was a long time ago used to command and intimidation, so he didn't care them now either. Sure, he would do what he was commanded, when he doesn't have any other options.

When men leave out of the gate, Erik headed to manage other chores, which was enough for him. That's what he just didn't know that Julian had seen what had happened in the yard, and was followed how Erik went to kitchen head bowed and shoulders hunched. He knew how to conscience knocked and thought, if he could just ease Erik's workload a litle bit. But it was forgotten when other things took his attention.

After receiving a small respite, Erik tied the wounds and took care of all the chores conscientiously, which belonged to him, even though the side hurt hard.

Men returned from a late night riding trip, and they weren't any more happier than they were when left either.
Nathaniel came down steed back and let Erik take care the horse. Erik was able take horses tostalls and began to take away from these equipment, when he saw Nathaniel arrived at the stable with his friends.

"Hey you!" Henry snarled.
Erik startled at the roar, interrupted his work and turned to see a man in fear.
"Yes", Erik said quietly and stayed humble wait to see what the man had to say.
"Come here, we want to talk to you a little", Henry commanded rudely.
"All right", Erik said, and stepped out of the stall, closing the door behind him, so that the horse wouldn't escape.
He had hardly got outside the stall, when Henry grabbed him in to lapel and threw him against to the wall. Frightened peep escaped from Erik's lips and he raised his hands instinctively to protect himself.

"We know what you're trying to do, you nasty rat", Nathaniel hissed and glared ugly at Erik.
Erik dared hardly breathe either, and didn't answer. He knew, however, that it would be no any use anyway.
"No need to whine, because your master is unlikely to help you", Nathaniel continued and Henry pressed Erik harder against the wall, and he struck the back of the head badly on the wall.
"I beg you, please don't do it. Don't sink to his level, because you aren't murderers, but men of honor", Erik said quietly and looked pleading to men. He didn't want to, that men shouldn't come murderers of one man's sake. He didn't want the innocent family would suffer these men's actions. It wasn't right.
He was now between the devil and the deep sea and decided to not even try to get men to retreat, that it took care of a bloodless, without anyone's honor would stained.
"We will do what we want, and you, stay out of our way, or you will go wrong!" Nathaniel snarled angrily.

Erik could only nod, because he understood very well that men wouldn't give up their plan. So he had to go in between, whatever it will cost. Henry struck his fist Erik face, before let him go. After this, the men took off their separate ways, leaving Erik alone.
Erik had become accustomed to the pain, so not even this was no exception. He suffered all in silence and continued to work, even if the head and face acheing unkindly.
When he had been treated horses, he could only wait. Hour after hour passed and the castle fell a deep silence. Finally tried a moment when Erik was able to move off.

He sneaked into the Julian's office, took a piece of parchment and began to write;

Dear King Julian

I don't know what else I can do, but you didn't leave me any other option. I warned of the danger that threaten you, but you didn't want to listen to me, so this is the only way to save your life.
I can understand if you look at it appropriate to punish me for insubordination, but I just can't stand by while your family torn aparts and the innocent will suffer. It is contrary to everything that I have learned in my life and that is why I have to act like this.
I'm sorry for everything, but I hope you understand.

As Brother Ignatius said to me once; Our lord, has said that we all are his children and we have to take care of them.

Over to the Lord.
Erik MacBear

Erik looked yet the message that he was written on parchment and stood up. He walked in the night as quietly as he could, and took the parchment Julian's bed chamber, leaving it on a bedside table.

After this, he wore Julian's royal outer clothing and quietly faded into the throne room, stepping with steady steps on the stand and sat down to the throne for wait.

****

He didn't have to wait long time, when those three men rushed out the shadows. While the men were dwarfed by the face detection hampering, Erik recognized them easily. He remained in place and was waiting for, even if he felt how fear bridge the cold tentacles around him. He heard steps and silent curses, when the men approached the tenacious in throne which he sat and waited.

"I heard from one person of your intentions and I decided to wait", Erik said in lofty tone of voice and stood up, even though he was afraid. It's got the men to stop. "I didn't have to disappointed. Now I would like to know what you want from me", he continued in the same prestigious voice, which had crept into some faltering.

"What are you doing your master's throne, and why you are wearing his clothes?" Nathaniel asked, disgust in his voice, stopping at in front of the throne platform, and recognizing Erik. He was infuriated that he had gone so cheap.
Erik didn't answer but stood there like a statue.
"You could tolerated to sanction for your insubordination", Nathaniel said, and rose up the steps to Erik's create, by Samuel, and Henry following in him.

Erik didn,t have time make a single sound, when those three attacked him and he let it happen. He didn't care about the pain, because he was numb it the passing of time. The attack was fast, powerful, and cruel, so in no time, when the men were ready.

They were going to head to the Julian bed chamber, when they heard his roar coming from the upper platform. Men escaped and pushed Erik passing over him, so that he rolled down the steps to the throne.

He stayed lying at the foot of the stairs, with blood appearing chest wounds and a, spreading into a deep red pond under him.

Although the forces were disappeared from his limbs, somehow he managed to turn himself on to stomach and lift up on to his hands and knees. Slowly and painfully he began to drag himself towards bucket of water which was near the wall, because his confused mind banged compulsive thought that he have to clean up the mess, before Julian arrived on the scene.

Forces stopped completely after he was reaching to the bucket and he managed to accidentally knock it over.

Wash water is spread with a splash on the floor and on top of him, watering a fine robe soaked. Vague, fearful utterance escaped his lips and fear turned change to the horror. He didn't know what to do, when he heard bare feet leaving a soft tone against the cold noble stone. Someone was coming.