Faust gasped, blinking back to awareness in Ignas’s quarters. Heat lingered beside him and he rolled to his left.
Vasil stood at the bedside, gripping the sheets, his expression flat.
Faust gathered his composure. “I do believe I told you to guard outside.”
“Not when you are using magic like that.”
Faust scowled.
Vasil stood back and crossed his arms.
The High King refused to back down.
The stalemate lasted for several minutes until the Volliare pitched down. Faust blinked.
“We are stopping in a town, a storm is brewing above Windilum.”
Aris must have been upset their connection was lost. Faust sat up and brushed back his messy short hair.
“It will get rough from here. The guild has orders to free this town,” Vasil said.
Faust nodded. “I am going with them.”
“No.”
“I am going.”
Vasil waved his hand in annoyance. “You cannot even walk, and you have been asleep for days.”
The door banged against the wall.
Faust jumped.
Vasil stiffened.
Roe glared at the deity. “You were not given permission to be near him, mercenary.”
Faust fought hard with himself to not laugh.
“Out with you,” Roe spat.
Earl shrugged in behind the healer and put a hand on Roe’s shoulder. The healer glared at Earl too and the guild master gave a nervous laugh. Earl motioned for Vasil to leave the room.
Vasil didn’t budge. “Why must I repeat myself so often? You do not command me.”
“Vas, please,” Faust said with a wave of his hand.
The deity gave the healer a cross look but took his leave.
Roe closed the door in Vasil’s face.
Faust tensed at the rise of Vasil’s magic on the other side, but he felt it calm just as quickly. He grabbed his chest to calm his nerves. He took a sweeping glance of the wall as he turned back to Earl and did a double take—the whip was gone. Perhaps he had imagined the weapon.
Faust looked at Earl. “Vas mentioned you have orders from Ignas about this town.”
Earl nodded. “His orders were to retake every town we cross on our way to Cennon before regrouping with Lord Walder. From there we will meet with Duke Baldwin to report the current position we hold in Windilum.”
“I see. How can I help?” Faust asked.
“Stay safe and out of trouble,” Roe interjected. “Your safety is our number one priority and I will not hear of anything less. A healthy person does not sleep for days straight without the slightest movement.”
Faust paused. “Days?”
Roe walked over to the bed and sat beside Faust. “You barely moved once you fell asleep. Your fever fluctuated far more than I would have liked, but the sleep was good for you. You have been through so much.” He touched Faust’s forehead and exhaled in relief. “Your fever has finally broken. I was growing worried the amount of medicine we gave you wasn’t enough.” Roe pulled his hand back and fished out a small vial of murky liquid. “Since you are awake for this round—”
“Who gave it to me before?” Faust’s eyes narrowed on the vial.
Roe motioned to the door.
Faust frowned.
“No one else could get you to respond,” Roe admitted. “He simply walked up and gave it to you.”
Faust ran a hand through his short hair, unsettled. Vasil must have mimicked Ignas’s warmth.
“If you’d please, Lord Arcus.” Roe handed Faust the vial. “You need to take more of the healing tonic as well. I changed the bedding, your clothing, and your bandages a few hours ago. I have tried to keep you as comfortable as possible. The bandages should still be all right until we can settle into the town for a few days.”
Faust took the antidote as fast he could, grabbing the red medicine from Roe to wash it down. He handed the empty vials back, rubbing his mouth. He grimaced and took a deep breath. “Is this the last stop before Cennon?”
“It is,” Earl confirmed. “We liberated another town while you slept. Most towns merged when the war broke out.”
“Forgive me,” Faust confided, his head bowed.
Earl gave a faint smile. “We do not blame King Faust. The guild is well aware of what transpired.”
Faust gripped at the blankets and gave a shallow nod. “Do you think Duke Baldwin will meet with me?”
“He will,” Earl said. “Lord Walder arranged it before he departed for Shar.”
Roe chuckled. “Lord Walder would not take no for an answer.”
Faust could only imagine. It sounded like something Ignas would do for him, but this also put Ignas in a precarious position. Faust needed to ensure nothing went wrong during the meeting.
“I will send word ahead of us that Lord Arcus will meet with Duke Baldwin in King Faust’s stead.” Earl offered.
“Thank you.” Faust smiled.
Earl sighed. “Many are still hostile toward the King of Alios. We must be cautious.”
Faust eyed the door. One deity in particular would be extra hostile.
“But this town will be easy to retake,” Earl continued. “We’ll launch our attack as we land. I request you remain here with Roe until we can move you to an inn. Our Volliare patrol for any stragglers once we take the town.”
“Is there truly nothing I can do?” Faust asked.
Earl shook his head with a grin. “Ignas would have my head if I let you help in your condition.”
Faust snorted. Ignas would keep him in here so he could bask in returning to a well-earned lovefest. “Will the Volliare be guarded during the ground attack?”
“It will be, but once we have completed the rounds, Vas will return to guard you. He insisted upon it.”
Roe scoffed. “He claims no one else here can do a better job.”
Faust believed Vasil on that point. Vasil was on a different level than even Aris. It made Faust wonder if Vasil could defeat Konrad. Faust shook his head. Konrad would best Vasil. His brother was a master tactician. He clenched his fists. He still couldn’t feel Konrad’s magic. His brother needed to return to his side soon.
Roe offered a smile. “Vas is big enough to take a hit.”
Vasil rapped on the door in disagreement.
Faust couldn’t help the laugh that left his lips. There was no respect for the deity here. It could change if Faust said something, but Vasil wanted to hide for some reason or another.
Roe cleared his throat. “That being said. You must keep your movements to a minimum. The after effects of the incense are still in your system. I do not wish for you to have long-lasting damage. From now on you must take the antidote regularly. We’re fortunate you seem to have developed a resistance to the incense.”
Faust mused. “I was exposed to a hefty dose months ago.”
“Yet another dangerous situation for you,” Roe said. “This town has an expert crafter. I wish to commission a proper cane for you, Lord Arcus.”
“If he is still alive,” Earl warned. “The last town lost theirs.”
Faust didn’t want to be burdened with a cane. He was the High King. He couldn’t appear weak, especially not in front of Vasil. Faust wasn’t someone who always needed saving. He could protect himself just fine.