The irony was not lost on Bastiaan. As a commoner he’d used his Talent against the king to force him to listen to reason. And it resulted in Vämbat’s death. Thus proving his concerns valid.

King Mattias nodded, a subtle change in his features betraying his agreement with his father’s ways. “How would you see the Well handled?”

It had finally come to it. Bastiaan unearthed every seed of strength and confidence rooting in the soil of his soul. King Mattias was already skeptical. Bastiaan’s words needed to be delivered in a firm yet humble explanation if he wished for Mattias to consider them.

“I would see the Trials dismantled. Allow the people to pursue a Talent at their will. Let the Well be the judge of their worth. It is capable of denying Talents to those who shouldn’t have them.”

King Mattias’s face darkened like a field beneath a roll of storm clouds. “And yet it seemingly gives Talents to those who would murder our king and freeze the Vier.”

Bastiaan’s mouth went dry. “I think even those who received Talents under the crown’s restrictions still possess the freedom of will to make poor choices.”

“‘Poor choices’ . . . Such a simple way of summarizing my father’s brutal murder.” Mockery seasoned Mattias’s words. “So you would open the Well for all men. Why? What role do you believe the Talented play in our kingdom? I’ve witnessed nothing more than a selfish thirst for power.”

“Talents exist to serve mankind and the crown. They are meant to improve our way of life, like any craft or skill. They exist in all people for a reason.”

“Though not truly in all people.”

“I disagree, Majesteit. Just as I believe every soul has both light and darkness, so a person has a propensity for a Talent or a Bane, depending on which Well they drink from.”

At the word Bane, shrewd curiosity stole over King Mattias’s face. He’d heard the word before—maybe even recently.

Yet he didn’t ask Bastiaan about it. Instead, he continued their conversation as though no shift had taken place. “What if one should drink from the Well of Talents and come away still empty? Like your former master, Dehaan? Are you saying they have nothing more than a propensity for darkness? For a Bane?”

The question was more personal than curious. Bastiaan chose his words carefully. “If someone drinks from the Well of Talents and comes away empty . . . I believe the Talent is not yet ready to be awoken.”

“But you think it will awaken eventually?”

“I hope that’s the case.”

“Did this happen with your master?”