"Where is this irresponsible boy?"
All those who, as usual, were busy at the entrance to the caves, stared blankly at the old woman who had just appeared from the portal.
"Excuse me... who are you looking for?" the woman processing leather for sewing new light armor tried to clarify.
"I need Klaus Deffender! Call him here!"
The women and men dropped their work and stared at the impudent old woman who allowed herself such impudence.
"Who are you? And how dare you so rudely ask to meet our king!"
"Oh, how could I forget, he is so busy that he completely forgot about his mother, that I, an old and sick woman, had to return to this world after fifty years, just to drag him! Call him or take me!"
One of the women ran into the caves to warn of the unknown woman's appearance. At this time, in the underground city, of Klaus's two main assistants, August was. The woman headed to his room first.
"Who are you?" asked the captain, coming outside. "Why do you need Klaus?"
"And who are you?" the old woman narrowed her eyes, glancing at the scar near his temple.
"I am August Deffender, the elder brother and right hand of our king."
"Ah, so that's what you are like, August. I've heard a lot about you. Maybe you've heard about Klaus's grandmother from another world?"
"Are you Pouoka?" August was surprised. "But what are you doing here?"
"I had to come because ever since he, mind you, without my knowledge, sent a crazy woman to my apartment. Scotsky asked me to remind the prince of his promises. He himself cannot leave the apartment. I think you understand perfectly well why."
"Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you, please, come with me, I'll take you to Klaus."
August was worried. Now was not the time to distract his brother, but he couldn't hide Pouoka's arrival either. Offer to deal with everything on his own? No, he couldn't do that either. He didn't know anyone in that world, how could he find a doctor?
As they walked to his office, where August planned to immediately move to the estate, an idea came to him. Instead of Klaus, Egor could be sent to another world. This guy had already recovered enough and all external injuries had practically disappeared. Who would be better suited for this mission?
Pouoka was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. She had arrived in her homeland. She felt a pleasant tingling sensation as her body was filled with magic again. She thought she would never feel this again. She was ready to sacrifice her abilities for a quiet life for her son, and then her grandson.
But, having arrived in Isorobia after so many years, she did not feel the main thing. She did not feel danger in this place.
"What is this place?" Pouoka asked the captain.
"This is an underground city. A refuge for rebels. Here we, so to speak, test new laws and accept refugees."
"I like this place," the old woman smiled.
***
Klaus had just returned from another meeting and was mentally exhausted to the limit. He was sitting in his office, leaning back in his chair, lost in his thoughts.
Now he was fully aware that the upcoming battle with his father was only the beginning. He was also worried about Sivel Murphy, whom he met today at his ally's estate. This greedy and cunning minister wanted to test the waters, and Klaus was worried that he could cause problems.
Murphy lived well under the current laws and was on excellent terms with the king. Klaus knew that everything that was discussed today would reach his father's ears, so he turned the unexpected meeting to his advantage.
Klaus also made an agreement with Krop Truk, who benefits from trade deals and increased production. He has already allocated a significant part of his warriors to the rebels, and they should arrive in a few days.
Stig Mor came to him himself as openly as Diger. There were no problems with him. Under the current order, his hands are tied and the minister was interested in the new education system that Klaus proposed. The man had already visited the underground city and met with his like-minded people. He has a small army, but it will not be superfluous.
The only one who did not express a desire to meet with Klaus was Lucius Krik. He was responsible for the common slaves and had the least power and influence among the highborn. Klaus thought that he would come to him first. He miscalculated. This old coward believed that by remaining on the side of the crown, he would be able to receive more privileges after the turmoil. Well, the minister miscalculated here too.
He also never met with Jiro. Klaus knew that the king had called his brother to court, but the prince did not receive information that his uncle was leaving his estate.
There were only a few days left. The prince had done a great job of securing his people, covering his rear and increasing his army, but his most impressive acquisition was Digger, who had finally agreed to act on the prince's side.
The old minister made a demand, or rather a request. Klaus should take his youngest son under his wing, that is, make him his confidant. Klaus understood that the old man was trying to push his man through so that he could keep an eye on the prince. Well. Klaus had nothing against it.
He opened a bottle of wine and was just about to pour a glass when the door opened.
"So that's what you're doing here while your mother is smashing up Skotsky's apartment!"
"Old woman? What are you doing here?"
"I want to ask you about this! You said that you would solve the problem with Minami in a few days! A month has passed! Have you even thought about her?"
"So much has happened that I…"
"So I came to remind you! Where is Egor? I want to see my grandson, since I'm already here. And put down the glass, we're going to Skotsky right now!"
"Dear Pouoka," August intervened in the conversation "Klaus simply cannot leave now, but he can delegate this matter to Egor…"
"He cannot. Do you think that if my grandson grew up in that world, he will be able to cope with any task? Finding useful and influential friends or lovers, whoever he is to you there," Pouoka looked at Klaus, "it doesn't matter, she waved her hand. "In general, Klaus has people there who can help in this situation. Egor can't cope with this."
"But…"
"She's right. We have a couple of days. I'll have time to settle everything and come back. And you'll back me up here."
"Klaus..."
"You'll back me up, right?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," the captain grimaced.
"That's great. Egor's asleep. I'll see you out."
***
Egor didn't tell Pouoka what had happened. He behaved the same way with her, although Klaus noticed how the boy had changed after the kidnapping. Egor began to talk less. He slept with Klaus in the same bed every night, but always at the other end of it, wrapped in a blanket.
The prince never told him that he knew what the royal soldiers had done to him. He saw how hard it was for his friend to bear his touch and stopped getting closer. They were moving away from each other, but now it was not Klaus who was pushing Egor away. Everything had changed.
The three of them went to Pouoka's apartment. Klaus thought that it wouldn't hurt Egor to unwind a little in his native environment. Away from the war. Away from the soldiers.
"Where is Lilith?"
"She's at work."
"At work?" Klaus was surprised.
"Yes, she got a job at a cafe across the street. For now, she works part-time as a waitress. She likes it," the woman shrugged. "Go and visit Minami, and then deal with this problem."
Klaus only nodded and silently left, leaving his grandson with his grandmother.
"How long did you have to wait for you," the exhausted Scotsky opened the door for him.
"Where is she?"
"In the room, I'll show you the way."
The woman he saw now was completely different from the young girl he had seen before. The lack of magic had negated all the effects of the potions. Now Minami looked her age. She was sitting on the bed, her legs tucked under her, and staring into space.
"She's in a calm period now. Her condition is unstable. She can sit like this for hours, not paying attention to anything, or she can go on a rampage and break furniture," Skotsky pointed to the broken closet door. "Sometimes her mind clears up, but after that she always goes on a rampage."
"Hello," Klaus called out to his mother.
The woman turned to him and looked at him carefully.
"Hello. Have you come to punish me even more?"
"I didn't even think about it. I came to help."
"Then give me back everything you took from me," the woman answered calmly. "Give me back my family, give me back my children. Give me back the years of my life that were stolen. Give me back my youth."
Klaus looked at Skotsky in confusion.
"She probably sees Ichiro in you. You really do look like him in his youth."
"I am your eldest son. I am not my father."
"My son? My son... I was not even allowed to hold him in my arms. He could not have grown up so quickly. You are lying."
"I will definitely help you," he said and left the room.
"What do you intend to do now?"
"I will call someone. He will probably have connections and a decent psychiatrist."
Klaus left the professor's apartment, took out the phone, which he had previously taken from the desk drawer, and dialed the number.
"Hello. It's me again. And I need your help again."
"I'm out of town now. Do you remember the address?"
"I'll be there soon."