Benectus, a round, balding man who challenged hygienic convention with day old grime on his hands and an unwashed bloodstained apron tied about his waist, started whooping and hollering at the sudden idleness inflicting his charges.
Benectus is the Kitchen Steward at Capua.
Pero and Francis, having just returned from La Torre on horseback, are making their way through the kitchens causing the workers in the kitchens to stop and bow.
Benectus did not see the Lord of the keep enter and doesn’t understand why they aren’t working.
Benectus finds a big smile when he spots Pero.
Pero did not hesitate to open his arms and embrace the heft Italian, placing his hands over the steward’s obese shoulders, but still careful to keep him at arm’s length.
Here we see one of Pero’s Italian subjects that is devoutly loyal, and we see Pero relating to him as an equal. As a friend.
Benectus had been Capua’s kitchen steward for the previous three short-lived administrations and, in his opinion; all three were venal at best. He was more than pleased with Pero’s handling of the court in Capua.
We don’t learn a lot about what happened at Capua before Pero arrived, but here we get a glimpse, and the men who ruled were not good at their job. Pero’ just handling of the court system at Capua has won Benectus over.
“It is nearly noon. I can have some pasta e fagioli whipped up immediately. Perhaps a side plate of Damascus plums?”
Pero informed Benectus that he hadn’t eaten yet because Anthea rushed him out early for the market in La Torre. He’s famished.
Francis rubbed his calloused hands over his tight fit belly and politely declined. “No, I already ate today, twice in fact.”
There is an exchange here between Pero and Francis where we learn that Francis Whitehall is Pero’s champion but being ten-years-older than Pero, having a difficult time staying in shape. He has to exercise and watch what he eats which is difficult now that they have a castle appointment and the kitchen steward is so good at his job.
We also get to see for a moment, Pero drawn out of his pessimistic mood, a bit elated about finally receiving word from Parthenope. He’s acting like his old self, joking and not seeing shades, not haunted by what might happen next. Not trapped by fear.
“Benectus.” Pero hollered above the ruckus, his arm still around Francis’ shoulders. ‘I’ll be in the great hall. Send my bounty there. And drum up a carafe of limoncello! I’ll need something wet and tart to wash it all down!”
Pero and Francis are headed to the great hall to meet with the messenger from Parthenope.
Benectus has but a small role to play now, but we will hear more about him in the future.
That’s all I have for now.
If you’re enjoying this insight into The Crystal Crux Series: Betrayal, be sure to pick up a copy for yourself, your friends, and your family. Recommend it to other readers of Epic Dark Fantasy.
And remember, if you know anyone who wants to read something shorter, a novella, they can check out Ares In Chains which is also available on Audio.
And for the curious, I have begun work on an Audio version of this book, the second edition of Betrayal. I’m doing all the narration. I am going to bring in some other people to help voice act some of the characters and do the rest myself. Doing Betrayal as an Audio book is a great challenge. I can’t afford to hire anyone to do it, and I am not going to use AI.
As far as I am concerned, no one should be using AI for any sort of art, be it writing, audio, drawing, painting and so on. We need to keep our humanity alive through art.
Until next time, stay inspired and keep reading!
Author Allen M Werner 
I’d like your feedback