Bruce flung the blanket from his body to the other side. He wanted to stand up, but he couldn’t. The pain in his leg was still there, sharp and unrelenting, every movement reminding him of the injury he had sustained.

Through the window, he saw one of the royal guards stationed by the door. With a quick signal of his hand, he beckoned the man to come closer.

“Your Majesty?” the guard called, bowing slowly with a practiced stride. His movements were precise, trained, as he raised his head ...