29. Benjin

twenty-nine

Benjin

Benjin slumped in his chains against the back wall, watching Haldric pound on the door. "It's no use, Hal. This cell's built as solidly as anything else in Ilthabard, the wards airtight. Trust me—I've tried."

Pausing in his hammering, Haldric looked up at him with a pained grin. A dark strand of hair tumbled over his bright green eyes, so familiar and yet so strange at the same time. "I suppose I ought to work on my rescue skills, huh?"

Benjin didn't answer, merely drinking in the sight of Haldric. Seeing the prince again in the flesh flooded him with so many emotions, he felt like his chest was about to explode. Perhaps he should have been furious with Haldric after everything that had happened. Yet, looking at him now, all he felt was a deep, all-encompassing sorrow.

Haldric's smile faded as the silence stretched between them. He shuffled his feet on the dank stone. "Look Benjin. I'm…I'm sorry. I know I owe you an apology. Not only for not trusting you after our memories were altered, but for trying to run away in the first place. If anything, I'm the one who's proved they shouldn't be trusted. Not with the kingdom…and not with your heart."

Righteous anger bubbled in Benjin's core. For a moment, he considered ripping into Haldric—spewing out a stream of vitriol and accusations. The instinct died almost as quickly as it had arisen.

Staring into Haldric's broken expression, Benjin sighed and said, "I can understand why you did it." That earned him a surprised look from Haldric. "I might not be a noble myself, but I've seen how hard you've struggled beneath the weight of your responsibilities. I suppose it's not easy being a prince."

Haldric's lips twisted into a pained grimace. "Or a king." He reached up, fingers playing with the simple silver band he still wore in his hair. "I guess I'm due for a replacement now."

It took Benjin a few heartbeats to process what Haldric meant. "Your father…"

"Passed in the night," Haldric confirmed. He glared at the sealed door of the cell. "Though, now that I'm aware of Dexil's involvement, I wonder at the timing. It seems an awfully large coincidence that my father's health should suddenly fail just as our memories returned to us."

Recalling the fervent look in Dexil's eyes and his parting words pleading for forgiveness, Benjin wondered himself. Though even now, after all the terrible things the Grand Magus had done, he didn't want to believe him capable of such a betrayal.

"There's more." Benjin squirmed uncomfortably, and not just because of the manacles chaffing his wrists. "You're not the only one bearing blame. I knew Dexil sympathized with the rebels, but I didn't realize how much until we returned from Khordan. That memory curse he used on you was what he sent me to Luxem to retrieve. He intended to use it on you to get you out of the way once your father passed. I…I tried to warn you, but he locked me in a cupboard in his lab. That was where I was before I broke free and confronted you."

Haldric met his eyes. Instead of the accusation Benjin expected to find there, he saw only compassion. "Thank you for trying to warn me. You've always looked after me—even when you were protecting me from myself."

Benjin shook his head, regret tearing him raw. "I should have done more. I should have warned you about the Grand Magus sooner."

"Perhaps. But when it truly mattered, you stepped up."

Benjin snorted, glancing pointedly about the cell. "Yeah, for all the good it's done us. Even after my interference, Dexil got his ‘glorious revolution,' just a bit ahead of schedule."

Haldric smiled grimly. "Well, with any luck, that means he's less prepared than he'd have liked. If our return to the palace was what prompted his coup, he couldn't have had more than a week or two's warning from when the royal guard found us." He scowled, resting a hand over the empty scabbard on his belt. "Not that it matters. He probably left to fetch more men, and without my sword or magic, I won't stand a chance in a fight."

Benjin raised his shackled wrists as best he could. "I don't suppose your princely training included how to pick a lock?"

"If only. I probably could've managed it with runeflame, but without my magic, I have no way to get you out of those chains. And even if I did, we'd just be two helpless captives instead of one." Groaning, Haldric clasped a hand to his forehead. "I can't believe I let Dexil convince me to take off my sword without so much as a protest. Yet more evidence of how I'm unfit to be king."

"Maybe." Benjin kept his gaze steady on Haldric as something stirred in his chest. "Maybe not. But the responsibility is yours all the same. And from where I'm sitting, I don't see anyone better qualified for the job. Do you?"

Haldric hesitated, chewing on his bottom lip.

Benjin thought back to the time they'd shared on the road. "Do you remember what you asked me when we left Revesole, about whether you'd make a good ruler? Well, my answer hasn't changed."

Haldric's expression was torn. "How can you say that? Goddess' mercy, Benjin, I was so desperate to relinquish my duty that I literally cursed us!"

"And I loved every second of it." When Haldric still looked unconvinced, Benjin sighed. "You made a mistake, Hal. We all do. But you cannot allow one moment of weakness to define the rest of your life. Tell me, do you still feel like running? If Dexil came in here right now and offered to curse us again, send us away to some remote mountain village in Korvanthos, would you do it?"

Haldric seemed to seriously consider the question, his brow furrowing. After a long pause, he slowly shook his head. His expression firmed as some of the resolve returned to his emerald eyes.

Benjin's pulse quickened when Haldric strode across the cell, closing the distance between them while holding his gaze. His heart tried to burst from his chest when his prince—no, his king —gently caressed his cheek.

"No," Haldric whispered. "I wouldn't. Never again."

Then, Haldric leaned in and kissed him.

Benjin closed his eyes, a soft whine forming in the back of his throat at the familiar feel of Haldric's lips. Haldric's fingers stroked down his cheek and gripped his neck, tugging him closer. The chains rattled between them as Benjin poured every drop of his jumbled emotion, past and present, into their joined lips.

When they parted, he gasped for breath, blinking dazedly as Haldric turned to stare at the cell door.

"I swear I will do everything in my power to make things right," Haldric said. "Not just for us, but for the rest of Ilthabard as well. First, however, we need to find a way out of here."

Perhaps it was the shock of the kiss, or perhaps some part of his subconscious had been puzzling over the problem all along. Either way, the beginnings of a rough plan started to take shape in Benjin's mind.

He fixed Haldric with a smirk. "How would you feel about finally working out some of our pent-up aggression…?"

The instant the door to their cell creaked open, Haldric shoved Benjin against the wall. Benjin might've found the motion erotic had Haldric's face not been contorted in rage, one hand roughly pinning Benjin's throat while he brought the other back for a punch.

"How dare you?" Haldric snarled. "Take that back, you…you pitiful worm!"

Even as he feigned anger and hurt, Benjin fought the urge to roll his eyes at Haldric's atrocious acting. Pitiful worm—really? That's the best insult he can come up with?

Still, the act must have been believable enough to the Grand Magus and his soldiers. Shouts rang out, and before Haldric could pretend to strike, rough hands grabbed his arm, hauling him away from Benjin.

"Restrain him!" Dexil shouted from somewhere behind them. "Don't let him harm the prisoner!"

Haldric made a clumsy play for one of the rebel's swords and appeared startled when it actually worked, his shoulder blow sending the man sprawling. As Haldric raised the stolen weapon, Benjin felt a flash of hope. Perhaps the rest of their plan would prove unnecessary if the untrained rebels were truly that incompetent.

Haldric struck at the other rebel who'd hauled him off Benjin, easily batting aside his sword to land several wounding blows. The man collapsed as another pair of guards emerged from the doorway, Haldric spun to meet them, but the first rebel that Haldric had knocked aside kicked at his shin. Haldric staggered, faltering.

And just like that, the fight was over. The two fresh guards disarmed Haldric, hurling him to his knees and pressing the tips of their swords to his neck while the third rose and delivered a swift kick to Haldric's midsection for good measure.

Muffling a wince, Benjin pretended glee. "Exactly what you deserve!" he said, spitting on Haldric's hunched back.

"Don't hurt the king!" Dexil barked to his men. "Not unless he leaves you no other choice. I don't want to cause him any unnecessary pain."

The Grand Magus had stayed in the doorway the entire time, Benjin realized with a sinking sensation. They'd hoped Dexil would enter the cell as he had the last time he'd visited Benjin. This added a fresh wrinkle to their plan.

"Are you all right, Benjin?" the Grand Magus called from across the chamber. "I see we arrived in the nick of time."

"I'm fine." Benjin glared down at the wheezing Haldric. "No thanks to this Void-cursed coward."

Dexil's narrowed gaze flicked between Benjin and Haldric. "What happened? I thought the two of you were in love?"

"So did I. But that was just the lingering effects of the curse. He betrayed me back then when he tried to abandon me along with the rest of his life here. And when I confronted him about it, he had the audacity to blame me . As though it's not his family that brought Ilthabard to the brink of ruin!"

"Indeed." The cautious optimism in the Grand Magus' voice tore at Benjin. It was almost enough to make him feel guilty for his deception. One glance at Haldric detained on the stone floor, however, was enough to firm his resolve. "So, you finally begin to recognize the truth."

Benjin nodded, the movement rattling his chains. "You were right all along, master. I didn't want to believe it, but even the best nobles will never understand what it's like for the rest of us. It's far past time for a change."

Benjin held his breath, certain the Grand Magus would see right through his obvious ruse. Benjin's abrupt turnabout was far too swift to be believable. Yet, Dexil seemed to eat the lie up, his face breaking into a broad grin.

"Precisely! I knew that, in time, you'd understand. You and I are much alike, Benjin. And once we have dealt with this unpleasantness and secured a foothold in the palace, word of our victory will spread. Emboldened, people all across Ilthabard will rise up and take back what is rightfully theirs!"

His gut squirming, Benjin gave the Grand Magus exactly what he craved. Validation. "Of course they will! And when the smoke clears and the dust settles, you'll be there to help pick up the pieces…and I'll be right here by your side."

Dexil beamed. "I knew I made the right decision when I chose you as my apprentice. Together, we shall usher in a brighter future for our people." He glanced at Haldric, his expression wavering a moment before firming. "There's only one thing left to do to seal our victory."

Haldric remained silent, pretending to be subdued.

Now's the moment.

Taking a deep breath, Benjin glared at Haldric. "Let me be the one to do it, master. Let me end Ilthabard's last king. Please."

The Grand Magus hesitated, his face torn. He glanced again between Benjin and Haldric before seeming to reach a decision, a flicker of relief crossing his expression. "Very well. I…I have already ushered one dear friend from Allaria tonight. I don't wish to be responsible for another."

Haldric went rigid, and Benjin's jaw tightened at Dexil's near confession to murdering King Roland. He shoved his outrage down, burying it beneath the veneer of an obedient apprentice.

The Grand Magus gestured one of the rebels over, handing him a glowing green vial and a set of keys. "Unshackle the prisoner and give him this." He gestured to the other two rebels. "You two, hold the king still."

The rebels hastened to obey. Benjin groaned with relief as the shackles left his wrists and ankles. He massaged his arms and legs, the chaffed skin red and cracked despite the Grand Magus' earlier ministrations.

Accepting the vial from the rebel soldier, Benjin held it up. Its green glow had dimmed now that it had passed within the antimagic wards. "What is this?"

"Poison." Dexil's voice was heavy as he regarded Haldric with a sad smile. "It's the final mercy I have to offer. I brewed it myself. Haldric's death will be swift and painless, even with the toxin's magic dampened."

Swallowing, Benjin nodded and approached Haldric, pausing right in front of him. Haldric looked up, briefly regarding Benjin before turning to glare at the Grand Magus silhouetted in the doorway.

"I trusted you, Dexil. So did my father. And in exchange, you betrayed us. Betrayed Ilthabard. I can't believe I ever considered you my friend."

Dexil bowed his head. "I am truly sorry it had to end this way, my boy. I'd hoped to spare you this fate, but the Goddess had other plans. At least, you can take comfort in knowing you will see your father again soon."

Haldric's visage twisted with rage. There was no need for acting now as he roared, fighting against the rebels holding him down. They barely managed to restrain him long enough for the third to step in and slam a fist against the side of his head. Haldric slumped, dazed.

Praying that Haldric remained clear-headed enough to remember the plan, Benjin bent over and cupped him under the chin, forcing his head back. Their gazes locked, Haldric's green eyes intent.

Staring into the king's face, Benjin said softly, "This is for Ilthabard."

He unstopped the vial, raised it up…and hurled it into the nearest rebel's face. The vial shattered in a spray of glass and liquid. The rebel cried out, clawing at his eyes and mouth as he collapsed in a writhing heap.

Before the man even hit the ground, Haldric struck at the other two rebels. Quick as a viper, he wrenched an arm free from one of their grips and used it to knock aside the swords at his throat with far more strength and precision than he'd shown before. His previous ineffectual attempts to escape had served their purpose, lulling his captors into a false sense of security.

"Stop them!" the Grand Magus screamed from the hall.

Leaving Haldric to deal with the remaining guards, Benjin bolted for the door.

Dexil's eyes widened. He scrambled for the handle, attempting to slam the door shut. Benjin hurled himself through before he could, tumbling roughly over the stone floor. He came to rest near Janelle's unconscious body and stumbled to his feet, raising one of her axes in a shaky grip.

The Grand Magus' eyes flashed with hurt as he regarded Benjin. "I take it your change of heart was nothing but a ruse. Clever…if misguided. Don't you see how the nobility has brought this country to the brink of ruin?"

"The only one leading Ilthabard to ruin is you." Benjin hurled Janelle's ax at Dexil. It tumbled through the air, a mere hand's width from the Grand Magus' chest before it ricocheted off a protective barrier of force.

The Grand Magus lowered a hand crackling with runeflame from his pendant and sighed. "Come now, my boy. I may prefer the subtleties of potions and wards, but that doesn't mean I can't hold my own in a fight. Did you honestly think that would work?"

"No. But this might!"

Benjin brought his other hand up and released the spell he'd been preparing while the Grand Magus was distracted. The wave of force slammed into Dexil's Protection spell. Dexil let out a surprised shout as he slid a step backward.

"I don't want to hurt you, Benjin," he growled. "But I will if you leave me no other choice. Stop this foolishness at once!"

Setting his shoulders, Benjin raised hands crackling with runeflame and shook his head. "Sorry. I don't take orders from a traitor."

Dexil clenched his jaw and raised his hand to ready a spell. Nothing happened. Blinking in confusion, he glanced down. His eyes widened when he realized his back foot had crossed over the threshold into Benjin's cell…and its antimagic wards.

Before the Grand Magus could move, Haldric was there, yanking him off balance. "This is for my father!" he shouted, slamming a fist into Dexil's face.

Dexil staggered, crying out, and Haldric shoved him back to collide with a pair of bloodied rebels in hot pursuit. Then, he dove for the door, tumbling past the threshold. With another weave of runeflame, Benjin yanked the door shut behind Haldric right as the rebels slammed into the other side.

Stepping back, Haldric raised his hand and channeled runeflame to fuse the lock mechanism together. Muffled thumps and shouts resounded from the other side.

"That should hold them well enough for now," Haldric said. He hurried to his aunt's side and knelt beside her, puffing out a relieved breath. "Looks like Dexil used some sort of sleeping Compulsion on her. We're lucky he didn't kill her outright. Perhaps he intended to once he'd dealt with me. As it is, she'll be out like a light for another couple hours without magic to wake her."

Benjin stared at the sealed cell door, unable to parse his flurry of emotions. "For all his faults, Dexil really didn't want to harm anyone if he could avoid it. He hesitated to hurt you right up until the last."

Haldric grimaced. "Perhaps not. But that doesn't excuse his actions. What he did to my father…and what he tried to do to me."

"No. I suppose it doesn't." Benjin glanced down the empty corridor. "We're alone here for now, but what about the rest of the palace? Do you think there's a chance the guards will win?"

Haldric frowned, appearing thoughtful. "When my aunt and I came here, the palace was mostly deserted. We saw no sign of Marshal Fendrel nor the royal guards." His gaze lingered on his aunt, his eyes widening in sudden understanding. "As you said, Dexil sought to minimize casualties. Perhaps he used similar sorcery on them—something to preemptively remove them from the fight."

Benjin bit his lip and nodded. That made sense. "In that case, we should grab your aunt and flee. Perhaps there are other supporters you can raise in Revesole—men loyal to the Crown you can use to retake the palace."

Haldric hesitated before setting his jaw. Rising from beside his aunt, he squared his shoulders, every bit of him the visage of a defiant ruler.

"My father is dead. That means I'm the king, and as king, I refuse to abandon my people. Whether I wanted it or not, this is my castle now, and I intend to defend it." Doubt crept over his expression as he glanced at Benjin. "But that doesn't mean you have any obligation to follow me. You're free to—"

Benjin stepped forward, shutting him up with a firm kiss. "Don't be an idiot," he said, pulling back and clasping Haldric's shoulder. "Of course I'll stay and help. With two mages working in tandem and their leader imprisoned, those rebels won't know what hit them."

Haldric fixed him with a grateful smile, then moved to grab his sword where it lay in the hall. "Right, then. Let's go reclaim my palace."