Henrik poured himself a drink, to help him sleep. The one before that had been to keep him awake. Seated in his private chamber, the only room in the castle where servants were not allowed to enter, he watched the fire as it moved shadows on the wall.

He did not notice Mathias until he sat down, in the armchair facing his.

"I'm going to ask her to marry me."

Henrik almost laughed at the abruptness, but still managed, "Not you, too!"

He poured his younger brother a large drink, he looked like he needed it. Having clearly made an effort for the harlot, he was looking presentable again: face visible, hair cut short. He was even wearing his ceremonial uniform.

"You were right, she needs to be under our watch."

"Little brother," Henrik said, with more pride than he intended. "You think you are going to succeed where Charles failed miserably and I'm afraid to try?" Raising his glass, he added, "We'll see, won't we?"

Mathias saluted back, then downed the rest of his glass. Henrik knew he had made the right choice.

"I'm thinking about naming you High Commander. I didn't ask until now because I was afraid you would say no."

Mathias looked at him, "Why, really?"

"We need someone to reorganise our armies, currently left in a state of... disarray. And I never liked that part of being a King. I will never be good at leading some poor idiots over a hill, to certain death," Henrik said, only half joking. "But you like it, and you are very good at it. If you want to, you can take our armies and bring them to their former glory. You seem to think we need it. And if the Haggards do attack, then I can remain here, where the wine is plenty, to strategize..." he said derisively the last word, playing with his glass. "While the task of defeating them falls on your shoulders."

"The first thing I will want to do is to attack before they do."

Henrik shifted in his chair, bored. "You still need the King's permission for that, and I will not grant it."

It was time to get another bottle, so he talked on his way.

"No. Your main concern will be to entertain yourself doing something you like. Consider it a token of my gratitude. And if you don't want to, no sleep lost on my part - I don't care about our armies. We can leave them as they are. They're still the best in this Empire, even after father's lack of interest. And my full disinterest."

He knew Mathias cared, and he knew he would accept. It was time for a more pleasant subject.

"Let me be the one who tells Charles!"