Arion remained seated for several seconds after Elias finished speaking, partly because the phrase their king continued irritating him on principle and partly because every answer the soldier provided seemed determined to create three additional problems.
"There are many of you still inside," Arion repeated. "And they know I'm here."
"Yes."
"Then what exactly are they expecting?"
Elias looked at him.
Arion waited.
The expression that crossed the former soldier's face was not confusion so much as disbelief that Arion genuinely required clarification.
"They want to return."
Arion frowned.
"To where?"
"To you."
"That makes no sense."
Elias stared at him.
"I never left."
The silence lasted long enough that Arion became aware of Hendrik shifting somewhere beyond the observation glass.
Elias slowly lowered the empty coffee cup onto the small table beside the medical bed.
Then he gave Arion a look.
Not particularly respectful.
Not remotely subtle.
