23. Benjin #3
“Dawnflame’s effects on the mind tend to be less harmful and more permanent than the typical runeflame enchantment, so I turned to an old colleague of mine in Khordan to aid me in the development of the perfect ritual.
Once the king dies, I’ll wipe Haldric’s memories and replace them with a new, happy life, banishing him to some far away land to live out the rest of his days in peace.
Who knows? Perhaps he’ll even become the hero mage he always hoped to be. ”
Benjin’s mind reeled at the revelations. He struggled to process them, shaking his head. “You expect me to believe you’d risk your plans to save Haldric’s life?”
Dexil managed to look vaguely insulted. Benjin might’ve laughed at the absurdity of it if he wasn’t so overwhelmed.
“I am no wanton murderer, Benjin. The thought of unnecessary bloodshed repulses me. Besides, even if the prince does eventually regain his memories, it won’t matter.
Once the rebellion has succeeded and there’s no one left to rally around him, he won’t be a threat. ”
“What about the nobles?” Benjin demanded. “They’d never willingly relinquish their power.”
“Of course not,” Dexil scoffed. “But without the royal line—and with the other preparations I’ve put in motion—the governors will tear themselves apart, bickering and infighting for control until it’s too late for them to stop the rising tide.
And then, at long last, the people of Ilthabard shall be free. ”
Benjin’s arms trembled as he crossed them, glaring at Dexil defiantly. “And if I run to the prince and confess everything you just told me?”
Dexil snorted. Pointedly turning his back on Benjin, he rested his weathered hands on the edge of his workstation. “Why would you? You want the same things I do. Like me, you know the cruelty of noble rule. We need a better system—a better path.”
Uncertainty gnawed at Benjin’s resolve. Dexil was right. Hadn’t Benjin similarly chaffed at the incompetence of nobles countless times? In fact, he’d probably still feel that way if not for his mixed-up emotions over Haldric.
Despite everything he knew about the prince, Dexil’s question from before the Summit remained: would he make a good ruler? Haldric himself had admitted he didn’t want the burden of the throne. The happiest Benjin had seen him was when they’d pretended nothing existed except the two of them.
Would it really be so bad to go along with the Grand Magus’ scheme? To let the old nation of Ilthabard die and something new rise from its ashes?
His thoughts returned to Haldric, picturing his smiling face, and Benjin bowed his head. Perhaps everything would work out for the best. But he couldn’t do that to Haldric…couldn’t strip him of that choice.
Dexil must’ve read the decision on Benjin’s face because he heaved a disappointed sigh. “Watching you stand up to the prince the way you did…I hoped you were better than this, Benjin. I truly thought you had the vision to help me.”
Feigning a calm he didn’t feel, Benjin raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, well, we all make mistakes. So, what now? Are you going to kill me, too? Erase my memories?”
Benjin’s pulse quickened as Dexil seemed to consider the proposition, only a fraction of his tension easing when Dexil shook his head. “No need.”
The Grand Magus’ fingers skirted over a section of his workstation. Glowing chains sprang into existence around Benjin, binding his arms and legs tight against his sides. Within seconds, he’d been restrained and rendered helpless. He hadn’t even had a chance to channel his runeflame.
“All I have to do is keep you locked away until I’ve enacted my plan,” Dexil said, striding over.
Benjin struggled against his bonds, but they were too tight. While he managed to draw upon his runeflame, he couldn’t direct it without the proper gestures.
“You don’t think the prince or anyone else will miss me?” he demanded, continuing his futile struggle.
Dexil paused in front of Benjin to regard him.
“Of course they will. But no one will question it when I claim I sent you on some errand. With how his condition has worsened, Roland can’t have that long left.
” He gave Benjin a sympathetic look that only made Benjin fight harder to free himself.
“I know confinement for that long won’t be…
pleasant. But trust me, when it’s all said and done, you’ll realize it was for the best.”
With a wave of his hand and a muttered incantation, Dexil levitated Benjin and sent him floating across the room, magical chains and all.
“Don’t do this,” Benjin begged. “Please. It’s not too late for you to reconsider. I know Haldric. He’ll listen to your concerns, do all he can to help the people. He’ll make a good king!”
Dexil brought Benjin to a halt before an unassuming cabinet. Benjin’s stomach sank. He’d drawn ingredients from it enough times to recognize the extradimensional space, its interior enlarged via a spatial Alteration. That must be where the Grand Magus intended to stash him.
“Perhaps he would,” Dexil said, his voice tinged with regret. “But I’d prefer not to take that chance.”
Benjin let out one last defiant shout as Dexil levitated him into the cabinet, set him down in the enlarged space, and slid the cabinet door firmly shut.