Call me Ben

His eyes shone again.

"Really? I find it relaxing. A scenic location. Moonlight."

"I never was much for scenic locations. Next time I'd like an official invitation."

He put away the snapshots.

"Can I keep those?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No. It's enough that they exist."

I turned to leave and paused before the gap in the ruined wall.

"One last thing, Your Majesty. I'd like a name I can put into my report, something shorter than typing out The Leader of the Southern Shapechanger Faction.' What should I call you?"

"Lord."

I rolled my eyes.

He shrugged. "It's short."

This was turning out to be a difficult night, and it showed no signs of being over. I climbed out, over the heap of rubble. Jim was gone.

Something touched my shoulder. I whirled and saw the Lord of Beasts looking at me from the gap ten feet away.

"Ben," he said, as if granting me a boon.

"You can call me Ben."