Cameron grit his teeth as he heard the master approach and wanted nothing more than to kick the fat, undeserving tub of lard in the stomach again.

The master began to drag Julianna off without preamble, but she knew for what she was going to be punished. Somewhere deep in her conscience, she knew she deserved punishment. She kept her eyes shut and prayed for it to be over quickly.

Jumping onto a train of thought, Cameron snuck out of the kitchen using a hidden passage and appeared behind the master. He pulled his hair over his eyes a little and hastened his breathing, as though he had just run a mile,

"Sir. Sir. Your hounds just broke into His Lords sheep paddock." he told the master, sounding fearful.

The master stopped, and Julianna dared to breathe again. What was the fool doing?

"They've what?" he snarled. "Are you telling me the truth?"

"Aye, Sir." Cameron answered, nodding quickly, "I know that some of the stable boys went after 'em, Sir. They sent me to tell you though... they may 'ave gotten 'em back in by now but I'm not sure, Sir." he told the master. He knew there was a sizeable hole in the fences behind one of the bushes that he was planning on mending today... so that would aide his story.

Julianna kept her head down, but she could tell the master was torn.

Finally, with a strangled curse, he let her shoulder go and stalked away down the hall.

Tossing a wink her way, Cameron smiled at her then raced after the master,

"This way, Sir. This way." he ushered him. He would lead him to the hole in the fence and then claim the stableboys had gottent he dogs back to their kennels.

"Get yer filthy hands off me," the master barked, pushing the pesky underling away. "Don't ye think I can find me own pastures?"

"Aye, Sir. I apologise." Cameron whimpered, skittering out of the way like any good servant would.

The master harrumphed and stalked away. Julianna waited a moment for his clomping footsteps to fade away before looking up timidly. "Is he gone?" she whispered.

Cameron waited until the master was truly gone before he answered with a nod and headed back towards Julianna,

"For now... but you should probably go find somewhere else to hide out for the time being." he suggested.

Julianna rubbed the aching spot on her shoulder. "I will."

He nodded and grinned crookedly at her again,

"Well... good luck." he offered with a shrug. As much as he hated it, she had been right before about working. He had jobs to do around the castle... though most, today would keep him away from the master.

Beorcan whined at her from the room, and she went over to him. "I guess...I'll just stay in here, then..."

Catching her words, Cameron sighed, rubbing the bridge of hi nose between his fingers,

"Julianna... Why don't you come with me today?" he offered for the secnd time. "I have to go scrub some walls... so it's not like you won't be working or shirking your duties." he reasoned.

Truthfully, Julianna wasn't looking forward to 12 hours alone, but she didn't want to grate on his nerves any more than she already had. "No, no, I'll find something to do here."

He hesitated then sighed again,

"Well... if you're sure. I'll be up the north end of the castle... hopefully away from the master."

"All right." Julianna scratched Beorcan behind the ears. "I'll probably stay in here."

He nodde dagain and waved a little,

All right... I suppose I will see you later then." he farewelled her and then jogged off towards the walls that needed scrbbing before the master came back.

Julianna wrinkled her nose, then mumbled a hasty 'thank you' before ducking back into the room and closing the door. She did not like thanking people.

Cameorn just grinned and went to collect his cloth and pail.

((I'm off ofr a while now. See you))

((Okay.))

Julianna curled up on the mattress and hugged Beorcan close.

((*coffcoff*))

((...))

((So sorry, I've been on holidays then sick for a while... not so fun.))

When the sun became too hot to work out int he fields, Cameron returned to the kitchens to help with any odds and ends then to his room. He knocked on the door lightly, just incase Julianna was not decent or something odd.

((Ooh, no, being sick is not fun. :())

Julianna was not indecent, but her sodden hair was flung forward over her face as she let it dry in the warm air behind the boiler. At the knock, Beorcan leapt up from her lap and barked, and she scrambled to her feet.

Hearing the dog bark, Cameron pushed the door open a little and poked his head in, not bothering to close his eyes. I she was indecent, she was. He didn't care.

"Afternoon." he greeted with a smile.

Julianna managed to get all her partially-dry locks caught up in one hand, and she looked mullishly at Cameron. "You startled me."

"Sorry." he shrugged, stepping further itot he room and shutting the door behind him, "Didn't do it on purpose."

Julianna wrinkled her nose and sat back down, lowering her head as she flung her hair back over her face to continue drying. "Lord, you smell like animal." Beorcan didn't seem to mind, and licked at Cameron's hand.

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