Chapter 52

  Like a watcher in the clouds, Hektor observed the valley bloom to life with the rising sun.

  Ever since his magical awakening, Hektor had needed less and less sleep over the years. Being the inquisitive sort, he had experimented and gone sleepless for three whole days before he started to feel the maladies of insomnia.

  Presently, Hektor subsisted on four hours of sleep a day. He needed no more. And since he was living by himself after his awakening, no one was on hand to conform him to what was considered normal and healthy for common folk. Rather, Hektor was grateful to commit the additional time towards his magical education.

  His second day in Roheim, Hektor had roused early as usual and found his way to the roof of the keep. From where he navigated the central tower to its zenith for the best view.

  Roheim didn’t disappoint.

  Atop the highest tower of the keep, Hektor spied the valley in its all-encompassing glory. He could see as far as the forests from the west to the south and the range of hills from the north to the east.

  The skies were still dark as Hektor’s sharp eyes caught the flicker of activity with the farmers taking to their fields. Having been a farmhand at Hatfield’s, Hektor knew for a fact that the chores never really ended on a farm. It was thus of little to no surprise for Hektor that the farmers were the earliest risers, waking well before the crack of dawn.

  “You can join me, if you like,” Hektor spoke out abruptly.

  With a deliberate scuff of footsteps, Gideon appeared up the stairs.

  “Good morning, Sir Gideon,” Hektor greeted cheerfully before turning to observe the view.

  “Morning, Lord Ashborn.”

  The crisp and formal address had Hektor incline his head questioningly towards Gideon.

  “You shouldn’t have ventured alone,” Gideon reprimanded.

  Hektor smiled and shook his head, turning back to the view of the valley. “I am sorry,” he uttered, not wholly contrite.

  Gideon frowned and stepped closer to the boy. “Will you do it again?” he asked with all the seriousness of catching a criminal red-handed.

  “I am not perfect, Sir Gideon,” Hektor replied politely, focused on observing the farmers far away. “I am afraid that I will disappoint you a few too many times.”

  Eric Gideon was surprised by the unfound cheekiness. He had never witnessed a rebellious Hektor before, even with Hektor being at that horrible age of adolescence. At least the boy had enough wits to leave a note in his room informing Gideon to his whereabouts. On the other hand, that meant that the boy knew that Gideon would be troubled, and had carried on regardless.

  “You disapprove,” Hektor conferred without looking.

  Gideon let the affirmative silence be his answer.

  “I didn’t mean any disrespect,” confessed Hektor. “It was a spontaneous moment. I wanted to see Roheim for myself. Alone. Away from the opinion of others.”

  “As good a reason as any,” thought Gideon as he mulled over Hektor’s logic. Not for the first time, he was perplexed by Hektor’s thinking aligning with that of someone much older and wiser.

  “Should I leave, Hektor?”

  Hektor smiled. That Gideon had addressed him familiarly meant that he was forgiven. “Stay, please. I will feel guilty otherwise.”

  Gideon stepped closer to the railing beside Hektor and the two of them enjoyed the vista in quiet appreciation.

  Light blue skies had the town rising as well. Being in a valley meant that direct sunlight was always a little delayed, which amounted for the chill of dark mornings lasting further into the hours after sunrise. Gideon had to shuffle a bit to keep himself toasty even as Hektor in his light cotton shirt felt no discomfort at the chill. There was a slight humidity in the air, not wholly uncomfortable. The distance from the coast, the ridge of the surrounding hills, and the the coolness of the forest, all aligned to make for pleasant weather throughout the year in the valley.

  Up high, Hektor felt like he was observing a diorama of Roheim. Even the fort courtyard had people scurrying about. Like little ants emerging from their burrows, Hektor found a simple enjoyment in observing the people going about their lives, starting their days as they would any other day. Content in their routines and happy in the stability of mundane lives.

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  Inevitably, the sun eked its brilliance past the hills, sweeping the fort, town and farmlands with its rays.

  The valley was continuously transforming. Now with the addition of westward shadows, the shimmer of glass windows and the glint of shiny things catching a sparkle when the light caught them just right.

  Regretfully, Hektor had to pause his enjoyment and be responsible. Alongside Gideon, he returned to his rooms and readied for breakfast. While he would have preferred to have breakfast delivered to his rooms, he made for the kitchens to break his fast.

  It was prudent that he familiarized himself with the surroundings and showed his face about the fort to build a rapport with the staff. Being difficult and standoffish wouldn’t endear him respect or loyalty any sooner.

  Hektor and Gideon passed by a few maids and servants on their way. Hektor made sure to offer them a polite greeting and inquired their names before carrying on.

  Gideon showed Hektor to a private dining room close to the kitchens. As soon as they had taken their seats, Earnest and Ruby Wicks entered with a knock, pushing a trolley with cloches.

  Following the customary greetings, the Wicks served a breakfast of a light soup with cheese omelets and bread, paired with a fruit salad with nuts. A trio of milk, tea and juice was arranged to be the beverage of choice.

  Hektor indicated for Gideon to start, but withheld himself. “Have you eaten?” he inquired of the Wicks.

  “We broke our fast, My Lord,” Earnest informed with a smile.

  “Good. Do you have a moment to spare?” he asked of the couple.

  The Wicks nodded and Hektor offered them a seat at the table. As they did, Hektor started on devouring the omelets. He ate quickly, his manners verging on rude, but falling just shy of it.

  Finishing the eggs, Hektor spoke solemnly, “Let me state the obvious for the sake of formality. I entrust you with the running of this household, Mister and Missus Wicks. You have my full confidence in your capabilities to the endeavor and I will rely on your experience and discretion.

  “I will do my best not to get in your way and be a nuisance.

  “I will like to be kept appraised, however. I will not be willfully ignorant and would very much know what is happening in my house,” Hektor resolved.

  “Lastly, I would like to make it clear that you can come to me anytime and that I implore you to speak your mind. You are my elders and I would be fool to not to learn from you and listen to your advice. This is as much your home as it is mine and I am grateful to have you here,” he entreated.

  The Wicks looked to each other in silent conversation before bowing to Hektor. “As you wish, My Lord,” they spoke in unison.

  “Is there anything that you wish to discuss? Any cause for concerns?” Hektor asked.

  “All is well, My Lord,” Earnest Wicks replied confidently.

  “Very well. Then if you would, please inform my advisors that I would be meeting with them in the coming hours. I would confer with them individually, one after another. To begin with, inform Miss Lloyds and Mister Kennedy that I would be visiting them within the next hour.”

  The Wicks left as Hektor worked to finish his food. The meal was simple yet hearty, and Hektor was sufficiently sated by the final bite. Which was saying something to Hektor’s voracious appetite.

  As they were about to leave the table, Marolyn Lloyds made a sudden appearance.

  “I was informed that you were looking for me?” she began.

  “Please, Miss Lloyds, join us,” Hektor gestured to a chair, Gideon and himself standing in etiquette to a lady entering and taking a seat. “Have you eaten?”

  “Thank you, My Lord. I have.”

  “I was just about visit you, Miss Lloyds. I plan to do so for the rest of my retinue as well,” Hektor clarified.

  “I shall join you,” Marolyn insisted.

  “No, Miss Lloyds, I shall do this by myself with Sir Gideon by my side. I wish to greet my courtiers personally as a show of respect and convey my gratitude that they have followed after me to Roheim,” Hektor spoke before any misunderstandings could be wrought between him and Marolyn. She was the one person whom he clashed most with.

  Marolyn seemed appeased by his reply.

  “Allow me to extend you the same, Miss Lloyds. Thank you for coming and I am grateful to have you here. I hope we work well together.”

  Marolyn dipped her head modestly. “Thank you, My Lord.”

  “You have only arrived a few days before us,” Hektor indicated to himself and Gideon, “but I must ask if you have gleamed any insights. Anything different from the reports?”

  “All indications to the expected,” Marolyn replied thoughtfully. “But as you say, we have only just arrived.”

  Hektor nodded along. “I had to ask. Now, anything you need, Miss Lloyds? Are you satisfied with your lodgings? Any complaints?”

  “None, My Lord. Mister and Missus Wicks are most capable.”

  Hektor smiled. “They would be happy to hear that. As am I. Now if you would excuse me, I have to extend the same courtesy to the rest of our friends.”

  “One question, My Lord,” Marolyn insisted, stopping Hektor just as he was about to stand. “May I be allowed to attend the Mayor’s dinner invite tomorrow.”

  Hektor struggled not to frown, opting to make a show of considering the request. “I extended a friendly invite to Mayor Williams and his family. Though I am not meeting him in an official capacity, I want to present myself as someone capable despite my youth.” The implied intent being that Hektor did not want to be seen with a chaperone of sorts. That he was competent of hosting the Mayor and his family and impressing them without outside help.

  Marolyn made no attempts to hide her displeasure, even as she acquiesced with a nod.

  Hektor tried for a compromise. “I am afraid that I have denied you twice now, Miss Lloyds. May I say that by no means am I stopping you from hosting the Mayor or from having meetings with the advisors on your own.

  “Your experience and talents already hold you in good stead, Miss Lloyds. You come with a stellar reputation and impressive credentials. More so considering your relatively recent debut in politics. Will you blame me for striving to garner the same respect and competence against the bias of my age?”

  Marolyn ruminated over Hektor’s argument and had to concede that she couldn’t find a counter it. “Apologies, My Lord. I overstepped.”

  “Nothing to apologize,” Hektor waved away Marolyn’s submission. “I openly admit that you are more knowledgeable and suited to administration than me. The task ahead of us will always be to work together for the goodwill of our people.”