Klaus came to his senses and barely managed to move when he felt someone leaning over him. He opened his eyes and saw two worried faces.
"Master!" Lilith exclaimed and reached for him, receiving a slap on the wrist from Egor.
"Don't touch! Maybe he hasn't come to his senses yet."
The prince blinked silently. This all-consuming pain had receded, and now he simply felt broken. A more familiar state. He could definitely cope with this.
Klaus tried to sit up, and two pairs of hands stopped him.
"Don't move," Egor worried, "I'll call Brod now."
Before Klaus could even open his mouth, Egor had already run away. He still tried to get up again, waving Lilith away. The girl did not argue, but simply adjusted the pillow under him so that the man could sit more comfortably.
"How are you feeling, Your Majesty?" Brod asked, arriving with some powder in his hands.
"I asked you not to call me that," Klaus answered discontentedly.
"So, it's better," the healer concluded, smiling and holding out the powder and water, "here, this is a painkiller."
"No need," the patient waved his hand off, "I'm fine."
Brod knew that the prince was not fine, but he did not argue. He felt his fused nose, removed the bandage from his hand and changed it for a new one. All this time, his retinue was waiting silently.
"Everything is very good," Brod concluded. "I did not treat the cuts on my body and face with the potion. I was afraid that it would be too much for you. You will need to treat it morning and evening so that there are no scars. It is better not to use your hand for a few days."
As soon as Brod left, Klaus lowered his legs from the bed and only then realized that there was absolutely no clothing under the sheet.
"Where are my clothes?" he was surprised.
"They will be brought when I decide that you can leave the walls of the infirmary," Brod's voice was heard from somewhere.
"This is too much! I can't lie here naked!"
"Your... lord, do you have a sheet to cover yourself with," the doctor answered and disappeared into his office.
"Excellent," Klaus muttered under his breath, "did he think that this would stop me?"
Klaus got out of bed and wrapped himself in the sheet, tying the edges on his healthy shoulder. His bare feet immediately felt cold.
"They told you not to use your hand for now and not to strain it," Egor was indignant.
"Then let's go. I want to eat, and you will feed me," the prince smiled.
"In this form?"
"Do you want to give me your pants?" the prince raised an eyebrow. "I remember from experience that they will be too small for me."
Egor shook his head and together with Lilith went to the exit of the infirmary. Brod near his office only sighed and shook his head.
"At least take the ointment," he called out resignedly.
Egor returned, grabbed the ointment from the table by the bed, smiled guiltily and ran after the prince, who stopped at the doorway.
"Are you running away already?" Augustus stood in front of the infirmary with a tray in his hands.
"What time! I'm so hungry!"
"Where are you going? And why in such a state," Augustus examined the prince from head to toe.
"Your doctor took my clothes," Klaus shrugged.
"Let's not shock the townspeople? I'll bring a new set, and you eat in the meantime."
"No, I'm already tired of the infirmary. Let your people see who they are going to follow," aughed the prince.
"You want to show them too much," August grinned, handed the tray to Lilith, unfastened his cloak and threw it over Klaus's shoulders. "Let's go. I'll feed you."
"I'm not a delicate maiden," the prince frowned, "What's the point?" he pointed to the cloak. "I covered my bare bottom."
"I feel better this way," August smiled and nudged the prince in the back.
Lilith was sent for more food and clothes. Klaus, accompanied by August and Egor, who were demonstratively ignoring each other, entered the room where the prince and Lilith lived.
"So, Abel is still alive?" Klaus casually asked his brother, taking a sip of the brew to restore his strength.
"As much as I wouldn't like it otherwise, but yes, he is alive. Crying about his worthless life in a cage."
"Have you talked to him?"
"Yes, he told me whose orders he was acting on. Did you know that our little brother has excellent abilities?"
"He has abilities?" Klaus was surprised.
August told about the conversation with Abel, keeping silent about some details, while Klaus methodically devoured the food.
"We can't delay any longer," the prince concluded, pushing away the empty plate. "When will the answer come from the border highborn?"
"This coward reported that the matter is progressing, and they are settling some issues with each other."
"So we can count on their support?"
"And you left them a choice?" August grinned. "And let's put these conversations aside for now. I can't take you seriously while you are in this state."
Klaus looked at his appearance with displeasure. The white sheet barely covered his naked body, his hair was braided in a loose braid. He winced.
"What is it about my appearance that doesn't suit you?"
"It disposes to completely different actions," August smiled and turned his head discontentedly towards Egor, who at that moment eloquently cleared his throat and sat down next to the prince.
As soon as Lilith brought clothes and a new portion of food and wine. The men sat on the floor in the cramped room, opposite each other. Lilith climbed onto the bed with another handwritten book. She was not interested in the political conversations of the men.
"I do not want to wait any longer," Klaus began. "The issue with the border is almost resolved. We need to move on to the Council of Six."
"Why such enthusiasm?"
"I admit, I was not entirely sure that I was ready to go against my father, but recent circumstances made me change my mind. He openly opposed me. How can I sit idly by?"
"I would not call Abel's incitement open actions, but you are right. The king has taken a step and will soon begin to strengthen his power among the highborn, if he has not already begun. It will be difficult for us to oppose him with anything."
"Isorobia recognizes only force. So, that is what we will use."
"What do you mean?"
"When I listened to the city's residents, many advocated that we need to expand our borders, declare ourselves, crawl out of the ground and take over territories. What could be a better demonstration than this?"
"Aren't you afraid that your thoughtless act will unite the nobles even more and then the king will be able to act against you openly?"
"That's what I want."
"Are you crazy! I spent so much time hiding all the rebels, and you suggest that they declare themselves? What can a bunch of former mercenaries, slaves and peasants do against the royal army?"
"We will not go directly against the royal army. We will offer cooperation to several nobles and make our visit noticeable. Those who refuse will give up their possessions, or rather, we will take them by force..."
"Do you want to instill fear among the nobles?"
"I want to let them know that their king is not able to protect everyone. I want to show that I have power too. I want to show what the new government is worth. You only have nobles who have abandoned their families under your wing, and the rest are slaves and peasants. How do you think the nobles will feel when such rabble takes a couple of estates?"
"Do you want to scare the nobles and give free peasants and mercenaries a reason to defect to our side?"
"Yes. After the first demonstrative visit, we must spread our goals."
"Don't you think that by destroying the house of the nobles, you will show yourself to be a tyrant, just like the king. What is the use of exchanging one cruel ruler for another?"
"We will not kill those who surrendered."
"A very dubious undertaking," August shook his head, "but you know what? I definitely like that you are ready for action."
They discussed plans for a long time. Egor again felt his uselessness and, telling Klaus that he would go to Gorald for training, he left.
"And now, I want to take a bath," Klaus said, getting up and stretching his numb legs. "May I use your new secluded place?"
"Klaus, everything that is here is at your disposal. No need to ask me!"