# Simon Bentrik — Space Viking character guide

> Simon Bentrik in Space Viking by H. Beam Piper.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Prince Simon Bentrik, Prince Bentrik, Bentrik, Commodore Prince Bentrik, Prince Simon, Prince-Protector Simon Bentrik

**First appearance:** 0001-ii

## Snapshot

A Mardukan prince and naval commodore whose puzzlement at Viking egalitarianism slowly hardens into a wary, calculating partnership with Trask.

## Who they are

Bentrik is a man of a stratified world trying to understand men who refuse to bow — he is genuinely shocked that Trask's crew expect to drink in the best places in town. He is a democrat by conviction and a prince by inheritance, and the contradiction leaves him both useful and uneasy as an ally. His early role is to give Trask a foothold on Marduk and to show the reader what Tanith's new order looks like from the outside: strange, dangerous, and possibly the future.

## Relationships

### [Lucas Trask](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se/characters/lucas_trask)

_professional_

Simon Bentrik is a loyal subordinate and advisor to Lucas Trask, handling administrative and strategic matters for his cause.

### [Zaspar Makann](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se/characters/zaspar_makann)

_professional_

Simon Bentrik and Zaspar Makann are colleagues who work together in service of Lucas Trask's cause.

### [Zaspar Makann](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se/characters/zaspar_makann)

_professional_

Simon Bentrik and Zaspar Makann are colleagues who work together in service of Lucas Trask's cause.

### [Lucas Trask](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se/characters/lucas_trask)

_professional_

Simon Bentrik is a loyal subordinate and advisor to Lucas Trask, handling administrative and strategic matters for his cause.

### [Lucas Trask](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se/characters/lucas_trask)

_professional_

Simon Bentrik is a loyal subordinate and advisor to Lucas Trask, handling administrative and strategic matters for his cause.

## In the story

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se/chapters/xviii)

Commands the crippled Mardukan ship Victrix, allies with Trask against Dunnan.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se/chapters/xix)

Dines with Trask; discusses Mardukan politics and his ship's disablement; hopes Trask will be welcome on Marduk.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se/chapters/xx)

Acts as intermediary between Trask and the Mardukan authorities; arranges the formal presentation and handles the political fallout of their arrival.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se/chapters/xxi)

Hosts Trask at dinner, expresses concern about Zaspar Makann's influence, and accompanies Trask to the hunting lodge.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se/chapters/xxiii)

Not directly present, but his wife and son flee to Tanith; he insisted they leave Marduk.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se/chapters/xxiv)

Reported vanished after treason charges; his fate is unknown.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se/chapters/xxv)

Argues the fleet is not a Space Viking fleet but ships of civilized planets; assumes position of Regent and Prince-Protector of Marduk.

### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se/chapters/xxvi)

Declares himself Prince-Protector of Marduk, overrides Admiral Bargham, leads the fleet to Abaddon and then to Marduk, and contacts Moonbase.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se/chapters/xxvii)

Present during the execution of Dunnan and the rescue of King Mikhyl VIII; struggles with the harsh realities of ruling Marduk.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se/characters/simon_bentrik
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/space_viking_se/characters