"Nay, your majesty." Brecken hurried to assure, "He is ever your servant, my liege. Twas in your name that he issued for peace—permanent peace—betwixt our kingdoms, so that your majesty would receive all of the honor and glory. That is not the work of a spy, your majesty, but rather the work of a man devoted to the crown...your crown, your majesty."

"That is true." Hugh was annoyed.

It would have been better to be able to execute the man as a traitor to the crown. Instead, it seemed that he was ever destined to hear of the greatness of the People's Champion. Would that the rumors of his death had been true...

"Bring him to me at once." Hugh waved his hand about dismissing Brecken.

"Majesty." Lord Neron said after Brecken had gone. "Is it wise to call such a dangerous man before you?"

"Are you suggesting that he will try to kill me?"

"I only caution you against his violent nature."

"You worry too much, Neron." Hugh waved a hand in dismissal and moved to the window to look out. Suddenly he turned back. "I have changed my mind. I wish to receive him in my private chambers above stairs. Come Neron."

As he stormed from the room, leaving all in wonder of his sudden departure, he mumbled an order that Brecken and Lord Erec should be sent to his chambers immediately when they appeared in the Great Hall.

---

"Do you suppose he means to order my death then?" Erec asked quietly as they made their way to the Great Hall.

"I know not, but Lord Neron was in close attendance."

"So, the viper would strike." Erec smiled. "Well, my old friend, how is your sword?"

"It is slower than it was in my youth," Brecken admitted before he added with a wink and a smile, "But just as sharp as ever it was."

---

"This is a much more suitable arrangement to receive him, your majesty." Neron oozed. "You have control over all that are present. He cannot slip an assassin among the servants."

"Quite so." Hugh waved him off and went restlessly to the window.

Leaning both hands upon the stone sill, he looked out at the people below.

They were so many in number and stood so closely together that the ground appeared to be moving. They reminded him of the ants he had watched as a child...right before he stomped them into oblivion.

Hugh smiled as a knock sounded upon his door. Hugh turned, though he remained near the window. The temperatures were stifling inside the castle and though the air out of doors was also humid, at least it was unpolluted by the foul smell of the ... ordinary people.

"Lord Brecken and Lord Erec, your majesty." The herald melted away and returned to the hall, closing the door behind him.

"My lords," Hugh beckoned with condescension, "I bid you enter."

Erec and Brecken entered, but stopped a few feet from the door as it quietly closed behind them. There was no way to know how many men Neron had hidden behind the closed door to the king's private chamber. But with a quick sweep of the room, Erec knew that he and Brecken could take any already present, should the need arise.

Hugh stood near the window, his hand resting casually upon the sill, though his stance was anything but relaxed. Erec felt Hugh's hatred like a physical thing as it washed over him and settled thickly upon the air.

Neron close to the king. Erec got the distinct impression that he had interrupted a conversation. A conversation that was, without any doubt, about him.

Sir Jackson, one of Neron's many minions, stood against the wall, easily within reach of Hugh. Sir Jackson wore the surcoat of the royal guard and seemed unconcerned as he stood with his arms loosely at his side. The stance was one of confidence and Erec wondered again how many men Neron had waiting behind the closed door.

Behind him, Erec knew two royal guards stood--one on either side of the door--just as there were two in the hall outside--also on either side of the door.

Erec exchanged a quick glance with Brecken and saw him flex his hand, palm splayed. Five, Brecken confirmed with a nod.

Neron was the unknown in this scenario. Erec knew well that both Neron and Hugh were well trained in weaponry. Hugh did not wear a sword or dagger that was visible. Neron wore a sword and dagger both upon his belt, but they were so decorated, that Erec hoped they were merely for show.

Neron, he knew, liked to live the easy life of a wealthy noble and preferred to have others do his bidding. Men like Sir Jackson and Sir Oliver.

...and probably Remy, Bram and Beck as well...

"Your majesty." Brecken bowed and Erec did likewise. Hugh remained silent but waved a hand in acknowledgment. Brecken dipped his head as he greeted the other man. Once more Erec did likewise. "My Lord Neron."

"Lord Brecken." Neron nodded his acknowledgment of the greeting. "Lord Erec."

"Yes, yes. We all know each other and have had our egos petted. Enough!" Hugh waved his hand impatiently. "I am given to understand that it was you that arranged this peace treaty."

"I did so in your name, your majesty." Erec bowed.

"On your knees!" Hugh suddenly snapped.

Erec kept his expression carefully neutral as he took a knee and knelt before his king. Brecken let out a little grunt as he did likewise. The fight, if there was to be one, just became more difficult.

Erec kept his head bowed, though he carefully watched Neron and Jackson in his peripheral. From the slight turn of Brecken's body, he knew that his friend was watching the guard at the door behind them.

"I would owe you a debt of gratitude, were it not your duty to serve the crown thusly." Hugh said dismissively, "So of course, there will be no reward."

"None was expected, your majesty." Erec spoke softly.

He knew that he should not provoke Hugh, but the man had always known how best to provoke Erec's temper. Erec sighed as he heard Gwyn's gentle voice urging him to be careful. He would need to curb his tongue or he may leave her a widow this day.

...and what of his people?

The latter thought came as a gentle whisper and startled him in its clarity.

Had his heart already accepted his responsibility?

With the knowledge that he must eventually deal with the inevitable decision facing him, Erec pushed all such concerns away from him for the moment. He needed to focus upon this moment and upon these men.

Had Jackson moved closer to Hugh?

"Do not mock your king!" Neron bellowed righteously, as if he were not guilty of the same.

Erec's chin lifted and his gaze settled swiftly upon Neron.

The air crackled with unspoken threats as their eyes locked in a hateful gaze. Every muscle in Neron's lean, powerful body tensed as his eyes narrowed and his fingers slowly curled around the hilt of his sword.

The viper prepares to strike.

"You should not tolerate such behavior from a traitor, your majesty." Neron spoke to Hugh, though his gaze did not leave Erec.

"Tell me, my Lord Neron," Erec spoke coldly, "was news of my alleged treason brought to you by the same men who brought you a corpse from my desecrated grave and swore to you that they had killed me in an ambush."

"Enough!" Hugh snapped, glaring first at Neron, then at Erec.

Neron slammed his half-drawn sword back into the sheath with a violent snap as his hands fisted at his sides. He was visibly shaking with his anger and Erec prepared to stand.

"Rise." Hugh waved a hand and turned to the window, giving his back to the room.

The move was meant to show his disdain, but it was a dangerous move in this moment. Erec and Brecken exchanged glances and Erec once more measured the distance Jackson was from the King. He was again closer.

Erec's eyes fell once more upon Neron. He felt the menace in them like a physical blow. Straightening to his full height, he squared his shoulders. Erec tensed. His hand rested upon, but did not grip, his sword. He clenched his jaw so tightly that his teeth ground together. This was the man that hunted his wife. That was reason enough to kill him, but there were also many other sins against innocents.

Be careful, my love. Gwyn's voice whispered softly...

Erec shifted his stance and forced himself to appear relaxed. He must not provoke an encounter.

Neron's own men could not be enough, else Neron would already be king. For years, Neron was content to quietly befriend the king while being desirous of the crown. So why was he so actively pursuing the crown now? It was not until after the riots began. Gil reported that Neron was seen seeking an audience with the man whose speeches often incited the riots.

Could it be that Neron made an alliance with his grandfather's mercenaries?

"My king," Brecken began, "May I be the first to congratulate you for your wisdom and benevolence. Hugh II will long be remembered as the king who at last brought peace to the realm."

Hugh softened at the praise, and turned to Erec.

"Well done...Sir."

It was a deliberate use of a lesser title, meant to insult. While Erec was still a knight, and thus he was Sir Erec. He was also Baron of Greenwood, and as such, Lord Erec was the proper address. Erec felt the sting, but bowed his head cordially.

"My most humble thanks, your majesty." Erec answered in courtly fashion.

When he raised his head, he saw Neron's pleased sneer at the insult.

"Your majesty." Brecken began in an attempt to turn the attention away from Erec, "My scribe has completed the copies of the treaty. His majesty, King Axel was in receipt of his copies when he left our kingdom. If it pleases your majesty, I can arrange for one of our copies to be taken along our northern border and read before all that we encounter. I can—"

"Not in front of Sir Erec." Neron interrupted, in a repetition of the King's deliberate slight.

Erec would force himself to accept such blatant disrespect from his liege lord and king, but he would tolerate no such behavior from the traitorous likes of Neron.

"IF you had ever been knighted, I might address you likewise," Erec began, arching a brow casually as he met Neron's blazing gaze, "but as I have also obtained the title of Baron, you may simply call me Erec. We are, after all, equals...Neron."

By deliberately stripping him of the title that Neron so adored, and by stressing the word equals, Erec struck a blow to Neron's pride that needled him to outrage.

"Traitor to the crown!" Neron growled, pointing a finger as he waived a hand and Jackson took a step away from the wall.

...which was one step closer to Hugh as well.

"Not I, my liege." Erec bowed, "But there is a traitor and he has at last made himself known."

"It is you!" Neron seethed. "You were hiding in shame. You no sooner make your return then his majesty's life is threatened, just two days before we were to leave to sign this treaty. And again, in the courtyard after the signing another attempt was made."

"As I was in Far North at King Axel's summons, arranging the details of the signing, I could not also have been in Kingstown in the King's own palace. Aside, as you say, I was in hiding and could not, therefore have arranged such an attempt." Erec spoke calmly, smoothly making his case as he looked pointedly at Neron.

Neron ground his teeth and clenched his fists at his side as he continued to tremble with rage.

Hugh was startled at this turn of events and stepped away from the window as he carefully followed the conversation.

Jackson was also carefully following the conversation as he inched behind Hugh while his hand casually moved to the hilt of the dagger in his belt.

"He is a traitor, my liege. He was here in this very castle when the attempt was made in the courtyard and he is here now to make another attempt upon your life!" Neron raged.

Hugh frowned and seemed to finally take note that Jackson had stepped uncomfortably close. Made wary by the talk of assassinations, Hugh was alerted when Jackson swiftly drew his dirk and lunged.

Hugh was trained in weaponry as a child. As a second son, his life was meant for knighthood. It was true that he had not carried a weapon since he was crowned king. But it was also true that his competitive nature pushed him to become one of the very best students with any blade.

Hugh easily dodged Jackson and grabbed his wrist. Jackson's eyes grew round, as this defense was not expected. Quickly coming to his senses, Jackson twisted in effort to free his hand.

The two guards at the door finally reacted and started forward, only to be stopped by Brecken with a gesture toward the window behind the struggling king.

Hugh twisted easily to the side, taking Jackson's arm with him, eliciting a cry of pain as the arm was wretched at the shoulder. With a hard shove, Jackson was suddenly hurled from the window.

Neron pointed at Erec as the latter stopped suddenly. Like the guards,, Erec stepped forward to intercept Jackson, but could not interfere, lest he accidentally cause Hugh to fall from the window.

"You see, your majesty! His man has tried again to take your life!" Neron bellowed maniacally as he looked desperately from Erec to Hugh. "The adoration of the people and the glory of battle is not enough for him! He wishes to take your crown!"

"If I may, your majesty." Brecken interrupted.

All eyes turned to him in surprise as if they had all forgotten his presence.

Neron barely managed to stand still as panic was quickly replacing his rage.

Erec half turned, keeping Neron in his peripheral as he arched a brow at Brecken.

Hugh stepped clear of the window, making certain that it was solid stone behind him before he turned expectantly and gestured for Brecken to continue.

"I would only wish to point out that Sir Jackson was not Lord Erec's man. It is common knowledge to anyone who has ever appeared in your majesty's court that Sir Jackson..." Brecken paused and Neron's eye twitched as he glanced at the open door, blocked by all four guards. "...was Lord Neron's man."