threatening the life it belongs to; sahm

[magnus]

you and I both know that the house is haunted
and you and I both know that the ghost is me

Magnus had never considered himself a good King.

He was a good soldier, good warrior—even a good General. But King? That had never been a title that Magnus had been comfortable wearing in his youth. It had felt dishonest when he was so far from the goodness of Heaven. He had blood on his hands and a hunger for war in his gut, and he had felt like the Gates had been a skin stretched too tight. He could never be the white knight that he thought she deserved. In his lifetime, that had been Bond—and he had always known the stallion to be better suited for the land. Looking now at Sahm, he thought the same. Sahm was cut from this cloth more than he.

Still, his edges had worn down with the decades, and although his judgment was still harsh—still brutal and heavy—he knew that it was not about him or his comfort. It was about the Gates and what was best for her. He may shift uncomfortably under the idea, but he also knew sometimes the hands that he trusted the most were his own. He was loyal to the bone and would die for the kingdom; more than that, he would die for what he knew was the true purpose of the Gates. It was not meant to ride out in a wave of glory. It was made to live peacefully in the shade. It was a shame that such peace had to be bought with blood.

So he does not smile at Sahm, his mouth grim and his gold-flecked eyes bright. “Power is best held by those who have no interest in it.” At least that is what his life had taught him—again and again. “I cannot say that I would be the best King, but I would do my best to serve her. Sometimes, that has to be enough.”

He dropped his head an inch. “Your father sounds like a good man, Sahm.”

Then, back to business, he glances upward, surveying the land. “I know better than most that holding titles that bring you discomfort is not always wise, but I think the kingdom could benefit from having you at the helm.” He cocked his head to catch the other’s gaze. “Perhaps we would balance one another out?” One corner of his mouth lifted into a crooked smile. “If co-ruling does not interest you, having a kingdom magician and Lord would be beneficial, as well. Truly, the decision lies with you.” Another pause as he looks away to the few inhabitants mingling around them, “And them. Who knows what they wish for.”

The decision would always come down to the majority for Magnus. Always.

MAGNUS

once general. once lord. once king.