31. Benjin

thirty-one

Benjin

Benjin glanced nervously about the table, wondering what in the Void he was doing here surrounded by all these important people. Perhaps Haldric had wanted him to represent the Grand Magus' office, no matter how poor a replacement he made.

While he hadn't attended the previous Summit, based on what he'd seen of the preparations, this one appeared far more restrained. There were no banquet tables or lavish feasts, only a simple tray of glasses and water.

Nor were there spots reserved for servants or advisers. The cavernous hall felt eerily empty with nothing save the sole table set amid the massive space. Haldric sat at the table's head. Benjin sat to his left, in the spot previously reserved for the Grand Magus, while Lady Katalin sat to his right.

Benjin glanced across at her, his stomach twisting. A fitting spot for the future queen. He felt a little ashamed for avoiding her after how nice she'd been to him in Luxem, continuously postponing her attempts to meet him for lunch or a walk. But she was a painful reminder of everything he couldn't have.

The past few days had been a mess. He'd done his best to finish Dexil's remaining works in progress and handle the few new minor orders he felt qualified to tackle. Most of his old duties, however, had been put on hold pending Dexil's trial and execution.

He'd found it near impossible to see Haldric more than the occasional stolen glimpse from afar. As the new king, Haldric had been far too busy attending to Lady Katalin and preparing for this impromptu Summit to spare time for him .

Though maybe that distance had been a blessing in disguise. It left him little time to dwell on what was happening between him and Haldric—or, rather, what wasn't .

More and more this past week, Benjin had found himself reminiscing about the idyllic life they'd shared for those handful of months and wishing they could somehow return to it. Dexil's spell might have rewritten their memories, but Benjin refused to believe their happiness and love had been fake. That had been all them. And if it was a lie, well, at least it had been a beautiful one.

Deep down, however, Benjin knew there was no going back. Haldric had embraced his responsibilities as ruler. What place was there for Benjin in that new life? The kiss they'd shared during Dexil's failed rebellion had been their last.

The other five governors filled out the remaining spaces at the table, Duke Westley perched at the end opposite Haldric. Though Benjin hadn't personally met the duke before, he still fought the urge to glare after what Haldric had told him about his suspicions concerning Westley, the ambush, and his sister's death.

Of the rest, he only recognized Duchess Janelle. She caught him staring at her, and he quickly averted his eyes. Before he did, however, he was surprised to see her give him a brief nod that was almost friendly.

That was a new development. Perhaps she had warmed to him now that she knew he hadn't been the one to curse her nephew. Or perhaps it was the role he'd played in helping Haldric defeat the Grand Magus. Either way, he'd gladly take it.

A loud clearing of a throat echoed beside him, and Benjin glanced over to see King Haldric rising.

"Welcome, esteemed governors," Haldric said. "Thank you for attending this Summit on such short notice. Your condolences when you arrived were most welcome. I'm certain King Roland would have appreciated them, just as he would appreciate you taking the time from your busy schedules to attend his funeral tomorrow. Yet, my father was not one to stand on idle pleasantries or ceremony. He was a man of action. Thus, shall I endeavor to be one as well in his stead."

"A worthy goal," Duke Westley said with a simpering smile that made Benjin want to curse him. The duke gestured about the empty chamber "Yet, you have deprived us of our usual attendants. That will make it exceedingly difficult to iron out any new treaties."

Haldric scrunched his brow in a puzzled frown. "I'm afraid I don't understand, Duke Westley. You met with me and my father in this very chamber less than four months ago. I believe those agreements shall suffice until our regular meeting next year."

There were murmurs around that table at that. A gruff, bearded man seated beside Benjin scowled.

"I believe I speak for my compatriots," Westley said smoothly, "when I say I'm surprised. Given recent circumstances—and our previous discussions—I'd expected certain changes might be in order. To better recognize the shifting realities of Ilthabard's situation."

Westley's every word dripped condescension. By a slight tensing in Haldric's posture, Benjin could tell he wanted to punch the smarmy noble as badly as Benjin did. Yet, the king's pleasant smile didn't falter.

"You're quite right, Duke Westley. There are matters I wish to discuss. New reforms I thought better to bring up with you in private so that we could ensure we're all in accord before we muddy the waters with scribes and attendants."

Duke Westley leaned back in his chair with a smirk. He waved a ring-encrusted hand. "By all means, please proceed then, Your Majesty."

Haldric nodded and paused, seeming to gather his thoughts. Something about the king's posture sent a thrill of anticipation through Benjin. He had a sudden premonition that the duke wasn't going to like what Haldric said next. Glancing across the table at Katalin, he caught her small grin as she watched Haldric.

"As has been pointed out to me, the time of strong centralized rule in Ilthabard is fading, which means the role of an elevated monarch must change as well." There were collective murmurs at that. Haldric's expression gave away nothing as he continued. "While I intend to retain the title of king along with certain privileges it extends, I recognize that you also deserve more of a say in how your provinces are governed. Thus, do I propose a new system of rule—one in which a council of six governors for the six provinces meets and decides together on the best course of action for Ilthabard."

The murmurs faded to stunned silence.

It was Duke Westley who broke it with a haughty frown. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. While this seems a step in the right direction, I fear it retains the same fundamental problem. What happens when we disagree on how each province should be run? What works in Weatheford may not work in Zaros."

"Here, here," a hawk-like woman seated across from Benjin agreed.

Katalin spoke up then, her voice crisp and polite. "Esteemed governors, for those of you who do not know me, I am Lady Katalin au Galax, here representing House Galax of Khordan. This new system proposed by King Haldric is similar in many respects to how the Forum governs Khordan. And while we have far more seats than six in our own council, we still manage well enough."

"Obviously, not every minutia of governance can be decided by committee," Haldric added. "As governors, you will retain control over most decisions affecting your province—even more than you do now, in fact. Rather than a direct monarchy, Ilthabard shall become a loose affiliation of states united by common purpose." He met and held Westley's gaze, arching a brow. "Isn't that what you wanted, Duke Westley?"

The duke hesitated. "It is…in theory. Yet, I struggle to understand how it will work in practice."

"We can iron out such details to our mutual satisfaction at a future date," Haldric said.

Katalin jumped in. "As one intimately familiar with the workings of my own country, I am happy to assist however I may. Further, as a gesture of good will, House Galax is willing to help forge an official declaration of friendship between Ilthabard and Khordan—the first step toward a true alliance."

Haldric gave Katalin a grateful smile. Benjin's gut twisted as the king returned his attention to the restless governors. "I assure you that you will largely retain independent rule within your borders. And all will have an equal say in how the kingdom is run, working together toward roads and other common infrastructure. It is the best of both worlds. If you truly wish to govern yourselves, the needs of your people will also fall to you."

"And what of the people?" Benjin demanded before he could stop himself. He wilted as all eyes in the room fixed on him but forced himself to continue, keeping his gaze solely on Haldric. "There are still whispers of rebellion. The Grand Magus was far from the only one dissatisfied with how things have been."

Haldric flashed Benjin a soft smile that set his heart racing. Haldric hadn't looked at him like that since…well since that final shared kiss. A flush colored Benjin's cheeks as Haldric turned back to the governors.

"Benjin raises a valid point. While empowering the Provincial Council may assuage many of your own concerns, it does little to appease the commonfolk. And before any of you protest again about how that doesn't matter, recall what transpired here in the palace. Had we not stopped Grand Magus Dexil so swiftly, you might even now be facing your own rebellions at home…or already have your bloody heads mounted on spikes."

There was nervous shifting at Haldric's pronouncement, none of the governors daring to contradict him. Even Duke Westley appeared ill at the graphic image.

His pallid face gave Benjin a savage spike of satisfaction. These nobles had thought themselves above such petty things as the people's happiness. If nothing else, the tragedy here had served as a rude awakening for them…though who knew how long the lesson would stick.

"To that end," Haldric continued, "I also propose we grant the people a voice in our new government—a secondary council to parallel your own, consisting of an elected representative from each province to embody the people's interests and ensure their concerns are heard, both by their governor and the rest of the kingdom."

Based on the general outcry that erupted from the governors, they were as caught off guard by the proposal as Benjin. A council elected by the people … To his knowledge, such a thing had never been attempted in Allaria, though Sanjarka's Pentarch came close.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty, have you lost your Void-cursed mind?" Duke Westley sputtered. "You can't honestly expect us to hand over such power to random commoners?" He fixed Katalin with a disdainful glare. "This is not how things are done in Khordan, my lady, nor in any other nation of which I'm aware. The very idea is preposterous!"

Haldric's face remained an imperious mask, the cold smile he gave Westley laced with hidden meaning. "I thought you a man of the people, Duke Westley, sympathetic to their demands. Surely after so many bandit attacks in your lands, you understand the importance of keeping our roads safe more than anyone."

Benjin fought down a grin as Westley paled at the veiled reference to the attack on their carriage. Good—let the Void-eater squirm. They might never be able to prove his involvement, but that didn't mean they'd forget either.

Clearing his throat, Westley recovered, regarding the other governors with a raised eyebrow. "While I appreciate our new king's earnest efforts at reform, I can't help but feel they are woefully misplaced. This ‘council of peasants' goes too far. None of us can support such a measure in good faith. Why, the average commoner wouldn't have the first clue how to govern!"

There were general murmurs of agreement at that.

"Can you imagine what kinds of disasters we'd face at the western border should they compromise our defense against Nalax?" a hard-faced woman in uniform demanded.

"Or the potential harm to our crop production in Leonia," a plump woman in a voluminous green gown tittered. "Why, I can picture it now: demanding their weight in gallants to labor in the fields for a half-day's work. Our economy would collapse within a season!"

"Not to mention our mining operations," a burly man growled, the scar on his face stretching around his thick beard as he grimaced. "The instant you give them the barest leeway, they'll take every advantage they can."

Benjin grew more and more tense with every word. As if these nobles had any notion of what it was like to work in the fields or mines they owned? Perhaps the commoners should demand better wages and treatment.

A slam shook the table, causing Benjin to jump. All eyes fixed on Duchess Janelle as she lowered her fist, her face a frown. "I don't like the precedent this sets any more than you do," she said, her gaze sweeping over the other governors. "But we need to face facts. Unrest has grown so bad that rebels almost seized the Void-cursed palace . If a handful of them could manage that, think of what they might do to you? To your families or your lands?"

There was another uneasy murmur at that.

"Perhaps King Haldric is right," Janelle continued. "Perhaps a little appeasement is for the best. Grant the people increased visibility, make them feel like their voices are being heard. And if things still don't go as they like, well, then they have one of their own to blame, don't they? Besides, you need not listen to everything they suggest." She glanced at Haldric. "Right?"

He hesitated a moment before nodding. "We'll need to negotiate the precise details, but in essence, yes. Think of them more as…advisers. They may set agendas or raise concerns, but the final say remains yours."

That seemed to alleviate much of the governors' outrage. From the fresh wave of whispers that arose, Benjin thought they were beginning to bend to Haldric's wishes. It was, after all, exactly the greater independence they'd craved…albeit with a catch. And no doubt Westley and the others were already plotting how they might circumvent it.

Benjin glanced over at Katalin when he heard her soft chuckle. She leaned across the table in front of Haldric and whispered, "The good king conveniently left out his intention to include certain measures that might be taken against the governors should their people's voices go unheard for too long. Good thing none of them thought to ask."

Benjin grinned at that, heartened to hear that the lowborns like him would be afforded at least some level of protection from the governors' greed. Yet, this fresh reminder of what a good match Katalin and Haldric made also left him with a deep melancholy. She'd do more to help him rule than Benjin ever could have.

The meeting turned to discussion over the specifics of Haldric's proposal, and Benjin found himself tuning out. Again, he wondered why Haldric had even bothered asking him to attend. Compared to everyone else here, he was nobody.

As the words and ideas washed over him, Benjin found himself watching Haldric. The longer the meeting went on, the more comfortable Haldric seemed to grow in his new role as ruler. Though he fumbled now and then, each time either Katalin or Janelle had his back.

Thanks to their support, he managed to convince Westley and the other four governors to seize the dangled promise of increased independence and fall in line with his reforms. Benjin had been right all along—now that he'd embraced the position, Haldric would make a great king.

The meeting concluded, the governors rising to depart. Benjin did the same, moving swiftly toward the door. He jerked to a surprised halt when he heard Haldric calling after him.

From beside Benjin, Katalin gave him a smile that seemed a touch wistful. She reached over and patted him on the shoulder. "Good luck."

Then, she slipped away, leaving him staring after her in confusion. What the Void was that supposed to mean?

When Haldric reached him, Benjin tried to decide how to address him before opting for an awkward bow. "Your, um, Majesty. How may I assist you?"

Frowning, Haldric waved a hand. "You can dispense with the formalities, Benjin. Such isn't required—not between us, at any rate. Now, please, follow me."

Benjin obeyed, his stomach a nervous wreck. At first, he wondered where Haldric was leading him. Then, he realized it was to the Grand Magus' old tower.

Looking about the cluttered chamber, Benjin felt a deep sorrow he hadn't expected. He'd avoided coming here since regaining his memories, relying on servants to retrieve what he needed to complete his work.

This had been where Dexil betrayed him and locked him away, where both he and Haldric had been cursed and stripped of their memories. Yet it had also been a refuge for him during his early days in the palace, and the site of many of his fondest memories here.

It's also where I first met Haldric.

When Haldric didn't immediately speak, Benjin approached the Grand Magus' former workstation and rested his palm atop the surface. He thought he could still make out a few scorch marks from his failed lessons that the Grand Magus hadn't been able to fully repair.

"I never expected to be chosen as the next apprentice," he told Haldric quietly. "I was so happy when the Grand Magus saw something in me." His fingers tightened into a fist, and he snorted, shaking his head. "Now, I know the only reason he picked me was because I refused to bow and scrape before you."

Haldric stepped up beside him. Benjin's heartbeat quickened at Haldric's closeness after so many days apart. "Perhaps. But no doubt he also saw your innate talent and potential. You'll be a powerful mage someday, Benjin."

Benjin fixed Haldric with a disbelieving look, but Haldric merely smiled. "I'm serious. In fact, that's why we're here. It turns out I have need of a powerful mage to fill the position Dexil vacated—one I can trust in these tumultuous times."

Benjin's breath caught, certain he must've misunderstood. "But…but I'm barely trained in the basics of runeflame! Even you know more than I do."

Haldric shrugged. "True. But I intend to ensure you receive the very best education, and I have no doubt you'll manage in the meantime. From what I hear, you're already doing an admirable job carrying on the Grand Magus' work."

"That hardly counts!" Benjin stared at the alcoves in the walls that housed Dexil's most prized contraptions. "Most of the potions I've been delivering are simple tonics the Grand Magus had already mostly prepared. I can't—" He paused, focusing on something Haldric had said. "Hold on. What did you mean about my education?"

This time, Benjin thought he detected a flicker of sadness in Haldric's smile. "If you accept my offer, I'm prepared to reach out to Astralyn on your behalf. With the king of Ilthabard as your patron, you should have little difficulty securing a spot at the Arcanum to study runeflame as Dexil did. It's the best education a fledgling mage can hope for. And if you elect to return in several years once your training is complete, the post of Grand Magus will be waiting for you."

Benjin's couldn't deny that the offer was tempting. How often had he dreamed of escaping his life here? He'd be able to take his mother away from Revesole and her ceaseless work to start anew with him in Astralyn. Once he was Arcanum-trained, he'd have no shortage of positions available to him all across Allaria, in Ilthabard or beyond. And yet…

Swallowing, Benjin met Haldric's eyes. "Or?"

"Or," Haldric said softly, taking a step closer to Benjin, "I can arrange for you to study here. It's no substitute for the Arcanum, but with Dexil's books and some good tutors, I suspect we can make fine mages out of you and me both."

It was Benjin who stepped closer this time, his pulse quickening as heat zinged through his veins. The two of them were practically pressed together, Haldric's proximity like the burning brush of magic upon Benjin's soul.

He expected the king to react—to back up or shove him away or call him out for his lack of decorum. Instead, Haldric's breath grew more ragged, his pupils dilating with desire as his eyes locked on Benjin's lips.

"So," Haldric whispered, his throat bobbing as he swallowed. "What do you think?"

"Are you asking me to stay here? With you?"

Haldric licked his lips. "I am."

Benjin raised a hand, gently cupping Haldric's face. He started to lean in, then hesitated as harsh reality set in. "What about Katalin? I won't be your dirty secret."

"She knows. In fact, this was her idea."

Benjin's eyebrows shot up. "Really?"

Haldric nodded, his cheeks flaring red. "She is remarkably perceptive. She realized what I needed even when I was too stubborn to admit it."

Benjin tensed, scarcely daring to believe his ears. "But the alliance? During the Summit, she said—"

"The alliance stands," Haldric said firmly. "All that has changed are the specifics. Even if it takes a bit longer to secure, alliances need not be forged in blood, and we both still have much to gain from the arrangement. My heart, however, belongs to another."

The king's hands wrapped around Benjin's waist, tugging him flush against him.

Benjin's heart soared, his breath catching. A wide grin split his face. "Oh, really? And who might that be?"

Haldric smirked before tugging Benjin into a fierce kiss. Benjin soon lost himself to the scrape of Haldric's stubble, the press of his lips, the warmth of his chest.

When they parted, Benjin gave Haldric a dazed smirk. "Does this make me queen? Or co-king?"

Haldric rolled his eyes, shoving Benjin playfully. "We'll cross that bridge once we reach it. For now, I believe the official term would be ‘royal consort,' but we'll stick with Grand Magus…assuming you accept my offer."

Benjin leaned in and stole another quick kiss that sent a ripple of pleasurable heat through him. "Mmm, with these kinds of perks, how could I refuse?"

Haldric bit his bottom lip, suddenly seeming uncertain. "Are you sure this is what you really want, Benjin? I may have won this round against Westley, but that doesn't mean he won't make more ploys on my life or the lives of those I care about. Not to mention the knife's edge our kingdom still treads along. Staying here close to me will put you at risk."

Benjin clasped Haldric's hand, entwining their fingers. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be." He couldn't help another playful grin, cocking a brow. "So long as you promise not to get me cursed again."

Haldric chuckled, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "Deal."