Chapter 51

  Hektor arose from the throne. “My throne,” he thought with a final resignation while struggling to maintain a dignified expression.

  “Now that the formalities are done with,” Hektor addressed the people amiably as he stepped away from the throne. “Thank you for the welcome. And your patience,” he said with a graceful tilt of his head.

  His entourage replied with appreciative murmurs and modest adherence.

  “Are there any pressing matters in need of immediate attention?” Hektor asked in his blunt manner, keeping his tone polite.

  Marolyn Lloyds stepped forth with a small curtsy. “Not at the moment, no, My Lord,” she spoke and Hektor could see that she did so on behalf of his advisors.

  “Thank you, Miss Lloyds. Then, without any urgent concerns,” Hektor paused and looked to his people should they have anything to the contrary. With no objections, he continued, “please carry on with your day, ladies and gentlemen.”

  The entourage relaxed at their lord’s dismissal.

  “It goes without saying that my door is always open and that you can approach me anytime. I just need Missus Wicks to point out which door is indeed mine,” Hektor spoke jovially, making it known that he wished to recuperate from the journey and get to know the lay of the land.

  With a prompt salute, Knight Quincy was the first one to excuse himself and make his exit. Following his example, most of the thirty or so people offered their bows and departed.

  Five remained; the Wicks couple, Marolyn Lloyds, Eric Gideon and Alan Thadeus.

  Thadeus stepped forth and gave Hektor a small hug. “It is good to see you again, Hektor,” he said holding him by the shoulders.

  Hektor was grateful for Thadeus’ familiar behavior. It lessened a burden for Hektor to see Thadeus treat him normally as he did over the years. It was a comfort to find something routine, a semblance of familiarity in a place entirely new. It grounded him and made him feel less lost.

  Thadeus patted Hektor on the back. “Off with you. Let Missus Wicks have you settled and then we’ll talk,” Thadeus promised.

  Hektor smiled wider at Thadeus ordering him about like an old habit.

  “Yes, Master Thadeus,” Hektor spoke the words he had spoken so many times before. He bid farewell to Marolyn Lloyds who had waited on him, and then turned to the Wicks couple.

  “If you would follow me, My Lord,” offered Earnest Wicks.

  With the Wicks leading, Hektor and Gideon followed, both of them trying their best to commit their surroundings and any passing people to memory.

  Taking one of the doors on the right closest to the throne, they entered a hallway with branching corridors and doorways to separate rooms.

  “The ground floor is mostly modeled with a mind for open spaces connected by defensively narrow chokepoints,” Earnest touted. “All the same, they do not lack for prestige. A little effort and the keep has immense potential to match your station,” he spoke with confidence, opening a few doors to present the spacious rooms. “In time, we could remodel to more contemporary standards, should you wish. The fort is structurally sound and we could dare to move a few walls without fear.”

  Hektor nodded vaguely, more interested in observing his surroundings than changing them.

  They came upon a spiraling staircase that went widdershins, built so that it would be easier to defend by those at the top against invaders. The reasoning was that more numerous right handers would face difficulty in swinging their arm while climbing counter-clockwise and the opposite would be true for those defending. Hektor also noted that the steps had been evened and leveled at a later date by the different shade of stone used in the renovations. The original design was another defensive tactic employed against invaders to disrupt their footing. It drove home the notion that the fort was constructed as a stronghold in warring times with a siege and invasion being very real possibilities.

  “The east side of the keep holds chambers that were originally designated for more official purposes and vaunted peerage,” Earnest announced, stepping on to the floor and pointing out to a window in said direction.

  The window was a narrowed slit more than anything else, another defensive feature. Hektor could barely look over the outer wall to see a darkening sky.

  “Now that you are here, perhaps My Lord could commission new windows for the keep?” Ruby Wicks suggested eagerly.

  Hektor wholeheartedly agreed that a few windows and balconies would be liven up the place. “In time, Missus Wicks,” he placated. Just arrived and he was being advised on redecorating.

  On the opposite side of the hallway was an identical staircase to the one they had just climbed. This one going from the first to the second floor.

  “The keep is not symmetrical. The west side is much larger and partly occupied for lodgings by your retinue and most of the live-in staff like Ruby and myself,” Earnest indicated as he made for the next set of stairs. “At this time, the keep could easily house three hundred residents. Though we could only manage to accommodate about fifty in luxury befitting of lords and ladies.”

  They climbed the smaller stairs and emerged on the second floor.

  “We have found records that these were most often the living quarters of the authority of the fort,” Earnest explained. “Most of the floor is vacant and unassigned as per Sir Gideon’s request,” Earnest inclined towards Hektor’s protector.

  Passing a couple of rooms, Earnest and Ruby stopped at an arched threshold. Took no guesses as to ascertain that these were the quarters of the lord of the fort. The engraved wooden door was the sturdiest and biggest of entrances to any of the rooms prior.

  Gideon stepped forward, pushing the door open. Stepping inside and out of view, it took him half a minute to return and allow Hektor entry.

  Immediate was the parlor room. To one side was a comfy seating arrangement of sofas and lounge chairs to entertain company. To the far wall was a small dining table besides a balcony through which Hektor could actually see over the outer wall of the fort to spot the summits of beautiful hills surrounding the valley. The only complaint being that the hills were tall enough to dominate the horizon and thus obstruct a view of the sea on the other side.

  Having never seen the wonder with his own eyes, Hektor was desperate to observe the sea for the first time.

  The other half of the room was taken up by shelving that was most certainly meant for drinks and encasing trophies of hunts and conquests. Suffice to say they were left bare.

  While the décor was nowhere close to the match the refinery expected of a count, Hektor found it all sensible and comfy.

  A door to the right led to a small study that could function for an office as well. The side walls were taken up by empty book shelves and cabinets, while the far side was dominated by a large desk in front of a bay-window with drapes.

  Returning to the parlor room, Hektor took the door on the left to the bedroom. Beyond the obscenely large bed with a canopy, there was an equally enormous four door wardrobe and full-sized mirror with a chest of drawers and dressing table. Lastly, upon a rug were a pair of loveseats around a tea table in front of a fireplace.

  A temporary addition were the four large trunks propped against the wall that contained Hektor’s luggage that had arrived a few days earlier.

  A door led to the attached bathroom. Hektor poked his head in to find a convenient and simple enough place to perform his ablutions.

  “The workers terrorized us for more than two weeks to get the plumbing and wiring installed,” Ruby Wicks griped as Hektor stepped back into the parlor. “They had taken the entire fort apart even before we had arrived. And they only finished last week! They held me to ransom for I couldn’t get anything done!”

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  Hektor remembered that Sabina had indeed sent a construction crew at the earliest to upgrade his house with the relatively modern conveniences of running water and electricity. Just the thought of being without had Hektor shiver in dread.

  “Hush Ruby,” Earnest spoke lovingly to his wife. “I for one am grateful for their service. Can you imagine being bereft of such amenities instead?”

  Ruby imitated Hektor’s shiver of dread. “But because of them, I was unable to set the house fully for our lord,” she pouted at her husband, forgetting about Hektor and Gideon looking on.

  “I am most satisfied with your efforts, Missus Wicks,” Hektor assured the fretting lady. “I have no complaints.”

  Ruby jerked at Hektor speaking to her and performed a small bow. “You are kind to say so, My Lord.”

  Hektor shook his head fondly at Ruby’s reluctance to accept his praise. “I mean it, Missus Wicks. I like the place I have come to. I was rather afraid of living in an empty and strange house, but I am at ease with the home that you have prepared for us.”

  Missus Wicks broke into a wide smile and her cheeks turned rosy. She giggled like a schoolgirl, professing, “Thank you, My Lord.”

  Hektor was delighted with lifting Ruby’s spirits, but was confused as to why Gideon and Earnest were looking to him as if impressed.

  “Sir Gideon, per your request, we have prepared the room adjacent as yours,” Earnest informed.

  “Thank you,” replied Gideon.

  “In your absence, we didn’t take any liberties with your luggage,” Earnest spoke to Hektor. “Shall we send someone over to aid you in sorting through your effects.”

  “Thank you, but I will manage,” Hektor declined graciously.

  All of them stared at each awkwardly for a moment.

  “We shall take our leave then, My Lord,” Earnest spoke up. “Would you like anything? Shall I have a meal sent over?”

  “When is dinner?”

  “At nine,” answered Ruby. “But we could have something prepared earlier for you, My Lord.”

  “That is not necessary. If it could be arranged, I would like to have dinner with company. Please inform my advisors that if they are obliging, I would like them to share my table. I leave the choice of venue in your hands seeing that I don’t know any better. It goes without saying that you are invited as well.”

  “It will be done,” Earnest replied.

  “Thank you. Now I need a bath and then to get unpacking,” Hektor said in polite dismissal.

  The Wicks left with Gideon following them to his new room.

  Finally alone, Hektor had a gander about the place and was pleasantly surprised by the realization that his new quarters were closely identical to an apartment. All that was missing was a kitchen. And while he didn’t know much about being the leader of a fort, he was keenly familiar with living in an apartment by himself.

  It was a calming solace to have his own flat where he would be left alone and could be himself.

  Before anything else, Hektor had to visit the bathroom.

  Clean and relieved, Hektor set about unpacking and fell into the meditative task of arranging his new abode. Two of the trunks were full of clothes. Making liberal use of his magic, Hektor got to unloading the trunks onto the bed and the clean floor. Tucked shirts and folded pants floated one by one into stacks as Hektor separated the jackets, shoes and belts to a different pile. It took considerably more time, but Hektor had time to spare and was adamant to only use his magic to accomplish the task.

  Once the contents had been splayed out, Hektor set about filling the wardrobe. He made a game of it, using only his magic to arrange his wardrobe intricately to his preference. A few clothes did come undone, but that only presented another opportunity for Hektor to control his telekinesis to fold them back.

  The large wardrobe was more than up to the task. It wasn’t even half filled by the time Hektor had deposited the last stitch of clothing.

  The third trunk was filled with books and stationery. Hektor left that one alone for the moment. The last one was full of curios and knickknacks, accessories and the odd thing thrown in. Hektor roamed about his quarters, placing things here and there to his liking.

  Once finished, Hektor was pleased by his efforts. The personal touch made the place feel a bit more his own.

  He dragged the trunk of books to the study, but his watch informed it that it was past eight. The time had flown by.

  Hektor switched off most of the bulbs and lamps, conserving electricity and something he should have done earlier. The fort, the town even, had no electricity lines laid into the infrastructure. Nor an energy station in the area. It was only cities and major towns that had them built so far. Places like Roheim made do with wiring their buildings in closed circuits and using aether batteries to utilize electricity. The batteries in turn were charged with an enchanted generator that converted both aether and mundane energies into electricity.

  As Hektor remembered it, Roheim used windmills close to the coast and tidal turbines to work their generators and then transported the batteries over to town.

  As Hektor was getting ready to leave, he was interrupted by a knock at his door.

  Expecting it to be Gideon, Hektor boldly tried to open the door with his telekinesis. The handle was easy enough to turn, but the heavy door proved to be a challenge. Hektor had to stop himself from gesturing with his hands to pull at the door. Despite straining his magical muscle to the limit, the door wouldn’t budge.

  Accepting his defeat, Hektor stepped closer to the door and tried for a better leverage.

  He was successful. It took an unnecessary ten seconds, but the door eked open.

  There was no Gideon at the threshold, but Jamie instead, looking confusedly at the open door and to Hektor standing far away.

  Before Jamie could work it out, Hektor rushed him and shook his arm, “Jamie! Am I happy to see you!”

  Jamie was momentarily flustered as to how he should address his friend who was also his liege. At Hektor’s excitement, he chose to reply in kind.

  “And I am happy to see you!”

  Hektor invited Jamie in and floundered for a second before gesturing towards the unfamiliar chairs and sofas. The new rooms would get some getting used to.

  Jamie took a seat, having an open and curious look around.

  “How have you been, Jamie?”

  “Fine, really,” Jamie answered flippantly, rather more excited to hear from his friend instead. “What about you? I hardly recognized you.”

  Hektor frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “You seem so confident and proper,” Jamie stated with approval. “And did you just use magic to open the door?” he babbled.

  Hektor nodded shyly.

  “That’s great!” celebrated Jamie. “Took you long enough to get your head out of your ass!”

  “I know, I know,” Hektor groaned, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment.

  Boys that they were, that was enough of a conversation to resolve the touchy subject of Hektor’s propensity of hiding away his magic. Both of them were content to leave it at that.

  “And you, what have you been up to?” It was Hektor’s turn to ask.

  “Nothing much. Been a mule more than anything,” Jamie replied with a scoff.

  At Hektor’s confused look, Jamie went on to explain that he had been roped in by the construction crew as they had gone through the fort installing pipes and wires. Jamie started slow with airing his grievances, but quickly got to ranting about being used as a laborer by those no-good handymen. That he was able bodied and young was no excuse to work him like a mule. Without pay!

  And while yes, he did enjoy the demolishing and the lads from construction were good fun. They took him drinking and gambling, showing him a trick or two even. But all that didn’t excuse the fact that they overworked him. Without pay!

  Jamie was still into his colorful tirade about a Pauly who was a no good cheat who got others drunk to win at cards, that Gideon cleared his throat, waiting at the door.

  It took a second for Hektor to remember and he looked to his watch to find that it was ten minutes to nine.

  “Jamie, I have to go to dinner,” Hektor said urgently. “Join us?”

  Jamie looked between Gideon and his friend. “Who would be there?”

  As Hektor informed him of the expected company, Jamie sensibly denied the invitation. “Some other time, Hektor. No use rocking the boat so soon.”

  Hektor understood Jamie’s reluctance to dine alongside his retinue. And it would be prudent to start off with small steps towards building a rapport with his advisors ,rather than having Jamie drop in on behalf of being the chum of their count.

  Pressed for time, Hektor didn’t bother to argue beyond promising to catch up with Jamie the next day.

  Hektor followed Gideon with hurried steps as he confidently led the way. Evidently, Gideon had scouted the keep while Hektor had remained confined to his room.

  They descended to the ground floor and made for the kitchens on the western side of the keep. With two minutes to spare by Hektor’s watch, Gideon delivered Hektor at the designated dining room.

  To Hektor’s consternation, everyone was already present and waiting, with him being the last one to arrive.

  Everyone at the table made to rise at his arrival, but Hektor gestured them to remain seated as he took his place at the head of the table.

  Hektor noted that an extra table had been joined to accommodate the two dozen diners, making him feel guilty of springing such a demand on short notice onto Mister and Missus Wicks.

  The ensuing meal was a pleasant and casual affair. Dinner conversation didn’t stray past pleasantries and small talk as everyone mostly focused on their food. Hektor himself was an open book and didn’t impose. Content to merely listen, Hektor only engaged with those who sought his attention. Otherwise, he didn’t broach any serious topics or discuss stately matters.

  There would be time for that later. He wasn’t in a rush.

  At a proper time, Hektor excused himself from the table and bid everyone goodnight. Gideon accompanied him as he retraced their steps back to his room, not taking any detours. He did not have any desire for company, nor the urge to explore.

  So much had come to the pass in a single day and it was finally catching up to him. Everyone could see it.

  Hektor was spent. Drained and overwhelmed. Mentally exhausted. All he wanted was to be left alone.

  Upon entering his new lodgings, Hektor slumped into one of the sofas and simply laid there for a while, consumed in his thoughts. The confines of his new abode already providing a small solace and balm to his exertions. It was far and away from a sense of belonging, but there was a semblance of home, of safe harbor, growing within these walls like the sparks to ignite the kindling of a hearth.

  Time, effort and commitment made a home. Hektor was only just at the beginning.

  Growing restless at being idle, Hektor rummaged around in his trunk and retrieved a set of metal ball bearings the size of marbles, only much denser and heavier. With their aid, Hektor started practicing his magic. Hovering a pair of the metallic spheres, holding one stationary while revolving the other around it in a horizontal orbit.

  Once he managed to stabilize the pair, he floated another orb, this one orbiting perpendicular to the first.

  He added another three orbs to orbit the center when a lapse in concentration had a pair of them collide. The model collapsed, the orbs scattering on the floor. A few of them rolling underneath the furniture.

  Undeterred, Hektor floated the orbs back to his hand and began anew.

  Some things change, while some stay the same. Hektor dedicating his nights to mastering his magic was the latter. Like he had done so many times before hidden away in Faymoren, Hektor spent his first night in Roheim much the same.

  Indulging in magic.