Chapter 63

  Paperwork was the bane of existence. A phrase quoted often enough that somewhere along the way it came to be taken as fact.

  Hektor, however, didn’t subscribe to such an opinion. Rather staying true to his adolescent pragmatism, Hektor took it as he saw it. Paperwork was paperwork, and very simply; work. It was just another notch amongst his many responsibilities that came with his new station, all of which he was duty bound to shoulder. During which he was obsessively compelled to meet the expectations placed upon him, just because he was Sabina’s son and everything that entailed. And that it was what he believed was the right thing to do.

  All evidence thusly pointed towards Hektor taking after his mother, growing up to be a good man while exhibiting great promise for fair and just governance. And any comparison to the gold standard of the Duchess of Faymoren remained the highest of praise. It meant that Hektor was doing something right.

  Inundated as he was with the chore of paperwork, Hektor took to it knowing that he was a novice at the job. That only meant that he had to be all the more careful in his deliberations and wary with his signatures.

  As it were more often than not, his desk before him was rife with documents that needed his attention. His most immediate focus being the report penned by his treasurer and advisory accountant Mister Len Kennedy. The gist of which being that Roheim had, as put delicately by Kennedy, very limited revenue streams and taxable incomes. To no surprise; that particular knowledge was as well established as the sky above and the ground below. Only now dressed up in formal documented proof and undisputable fact courtesy of Kennedy’s detailed survey.

  Despite foreknowing the very apparent conclusion, Hektor couldn’t help but feel a little disheartened. While the numbers and figures were within the lowly expectations, Roheim’s lack of excess meant that Hektor had to be patient and bide his time with his vision for the county.

  Flipping over to the next page, Hektor’s eyes hunted for important snippets of information buried within the paragraphs. When he spotted something crucial or that which he didn’t understand, his pen, under the magic of his telekinesis, was quick to make a note of it in a journal set to the side of the table for later reference.

  The ensemble of activity was a familiar habit from the past. Back in Faymoren, Hektor had tackled his assignments from his tutors in a similar fashion. Only then, he was of a mind to hide his magic and limit his display of intellect.

  Not so long ago, it would have been unthinkable for Hektor to wield his magic in such a place with exposed windows that could be spied though and open doors by which anyone could intrude.

  Just a few months prior, a timid and reserved Hektor wouldn’t have believed it if anyone had told him that he would be so at ease to use his magic out in the open for the world to see. At such a time, it would have been utterly unimaginable for the scared and nervous little boy that in the near future he would be so unafraid at being discovered. That he would be brave enough to be seen for who he was and what he could do.

  It had been a long time coming, but Hektor had come a long way in facing his demons. What continually surprised Hektor more than anything was that such change had taken place in the space of a mere three months.

  On one hand, Hektor was proud and joyous of his revival. On the other, he was ashamed that he had taken so long. His quick upturn in Roheim had him angry and hurt that he had lost out on so much time and missed so many things ever since the incident. Years of his childhood stolen from him that he would never get back, when apparently he could have gotten better so much sooner.

  And while Hektor understood that he was being harsh and trivializing his pain and circumstances, it still didn’t make it any easier for him to stomach the unfairness of it all.

  Thankfully, he wasn’t given the time to sulk and feel sorry for himself. The new job keeping him busy served as the perfect distraction for his wounds to scab and heal without Hektor scratching at them.

  Not just a distraction, Hektor discovered a newfound sense of fulfillment in having an occupation and in being needed. He experienced this unexpected satisfaction on days more often than not when he hadn’t the time to spare and that there always seemed to be a couple of hours too few in a day. And yet it always ended up being enough. That it all worked out in the end by the collaborative efforts of many individuals, a greater whole of which he was a part of. As it were, his schedule was packed, be it with duties of a count or his own personal pursuits, and Hektor was grateful for it. Content in that what he did mattered. That he mattered.

  Purpose was a precious thing, one that Hektor had come to appreciate as an anchor in his new lease on life.

  A knock drew Hektor’s focus from his reading and he looked to see Mayor Williams enter, with a number of people following him in.

  The new crowd was taken unawares by the Count already present and that he had been waiting on them led to some embarrassment.

  A quick round of superfluous greetings ensued. Hektor replied with a polite smile and gestured a silent welcome. The somewhat aloof and imperious attitude was expected of their count, in following with the truistic wisdom that there should always be a separation maintained between superiors and their subordinates. It was for everyone’s benefit that such time-tested customs were adhered to, particularly in governance. Otherwise, things tended to get messy, disrupting both the chain of command and confusing the cultural hierarchy that society functioned upon.

  Eight people accompanied the Mayor in one of the rooms of the fort that had been temporarily converted to imitate a conference hall. Multiple long tables had been lined together and arranged in an obtuse V-shape facing towards a lectern up front, such that people could sit on both sides while having a view of the speaker. Hektor’s separate desk was placed closer to the side of lectern, angled so that he could observe the entire seating from his vantage.

  As the minutes ticked closer to eleven in the morning, the room started to fill as more people made the appointment. As the crowd grew and mingled, Hektor remained seated at the desk and continued with his paperwork. Quite a few were enamored with the ghostly pen note-taking on its own volition and gawked, though Hektor didn’t mind enough to call them on it or cease his magic.

  Hektor knew everyone present by name, for those in the room had come to be regular visitors in the fort over the past month or so. At one point or another, Hektor had interacted with all of them in some capacity.

  With five minutes to eleven, most if not all summoned were accounted for. There were more than sixty people in the room, about twenty of which were from Hektor’s retinue while the rest were locals. A mixed two dozen in position of seniority took seats at the tables while the rest, mostly aides, made do with the rows of chairs further in the back.

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  At the final chime of eleven o’clock, Jamie emerged and stepped up to the lectern as the audience quietened. Clearing his throat, he orated formally, “It is the Third of October in the year Sixteen Fifteen, eleven in the morning. We are gathered here today in the Fort of Roheim under the stewardship of the Count of Roheim Hektor Ashborn with the Mayor of Roheim Theodore Williams. The purpose of this gathering pertains to the drafting of new welfare policies in the county and issues pertaining to such.

  “For the purpose of documentation and witnesses, the names of those in attendance will be noted. Portions of the gathering will be transcribed as well for record keeping.

  “Naming those attending,” Jamie began, starting with Hektor and rapidly firing off names from a list while eyeing those he mentioned. After a couple of minutes of name calling, Jamie excused himself from the lectern and returned to sit amongst the rows of chairs, directly behind Marolyn Lloyds who gave her aide an encouraging smile.

  A few seconds after, a lady proceeded to take the lectern. She wore a contemporary suit with a knee length skirt over pantaloons and a fully buttoned jacket, with a doctor’s coat hanging off her shoulders. She took center stage with the authority and confidence of a no-nonsense general, despite her appearance being that of a striking woman in her thirties.

  “Irene Holmes, healer and medical practitioner of the Count’s Court,” she succinctly introduced for the transcriber. “Everyone knows why we are here,” she started her address matter-of-factly. “Today marks the conclusion of the planning committee of Count Hektor’s first initiative pertaining to providing better healthcare for the people of Roheim.

  “The planning for this venture began less than a month ago, twenty three days to be precise. It is by the hard work of those present and many others that we have managed to achieve such a quick feat of administrative process. The people of Roheim are blessed to have the most capable Mister Williams as their Mayor, for we couldn’t have managed to achieve what we have in twice the time without him,” Irene indicated graciously towards Theodore who bowed at the praise. A few in the background clapped and cheered.

  Irene took the next few minutes to single out those deserving of special praise, before returning to her brusque manner.

  “This meeting is mostly a show of ceremony, meant to teach our younger members and acclimatize those inexperienced to such gatherings in the future to cultivate cooperation and unity. As it were, the planning and process of execution has already been checked and double checked, verified and finalized. If anything was indeed overlooked at this stage, then that would only point towards mine and our incompetence that we proceeded to this concluding ceremony without making sure.”

  The room turned pin-drop silent. Hektor did his best not to smile at the way Miss Holmes towered like a strict principal before cowering school children, daring anyone to contradict her.

  “Miss Lloyds, in her expertise, has made sure to keep all the departments informed and up to date. Nevertheless, the files in front of you provide all the relevant details and instructions moving forward.

  “I will not prolong needlessly, but I wish to admit that I am quite taken with the sense of community, of goodwill and togetherness that I have had the pleasure to witness in quant little Roheim. You have a lovely home,” she addressed the locals with a sagely smile. “And you should be proud of the lives you have built in this hidden corner of the nation.

  “The real work starts tomorrow,” she changed topic abruptly, returning to her blunt manner. “And I expect everyone at their best. Any and all concerned are aware of their responsibilities, and I will see to it personally should anyone is found lacking.

  “That is all. I now invite Mister Kennedy to take the stage.”

  Irene Holmes left the lectern without fanfare, though Hektor led the example of giving a polite applause which continued as Kennedy took to the lectern, taking a moment to arrange a few papers on the panel.

  The man adjusted his spectacles and straightened his spine, clearing his throat. “Len Kennedy, treasurer and financial adviser to Count Hektor,” he addressed for the benefit of the transcriber. “Thank you, Miss Holmes,” he mentioned offhandedly as his eyes skimmed his notes.

  “I echo her sentiments in there are no strangers here and that we are as ready as can be to undertake the new initiative spearheaded by Count Hektor. This meeting is a mere formality. Though given the chance, I would like to take this opportunity to speak plainly.

  “The endeavor we are undertaking is a very rare event. As under the new policy, the Count is aiming to make healthcare readily available to his citizens at costs relative to the incomes of the patients.

  “Per the new policy, working alongside local doctors and physicians in the community, children and elderly are viable to receive the greatest discount to treatments, with children under ten receiving, close as to makes no difference, free treatment for the more common maladies and severe injuries.

  “At our start, even, we are booked with Doctor Ford and Doctor Gill,” Kennedy singled out the local dentists, “for more than twenty elderlies in need of dental work who will take advantage of the new policy. Then we have Doctor Francine and Doctor Rees,” the general physicians, “who will be provided with medicines at cut price for ailments of old age to be prescribed to those in need.”

  “Beyond that, the Count’s retinue of Healer Holmes, Doctor Pascal and Alchemist Fennel, will gratuitously take the more difficult and specialized cases.

  “Amongst which is the case of Missus Amber Boothe, who has been a resident of Roheim all her life of eighty two years. Unfortunately, she is without family and worse, her mind is deteriorating to the ailment of dementia. For the past few months, her neighbors and friends have needed to step forth and take care of her as she only experiences limited bouts of lucidity. Because of her dire situation, Missus Boothe would be Messers Pascal and Fennel’s first patient tomorrow.

  “There is also the case of Mister Elias Arjen, the silversmith who has injured his index finger in his dominant hand quite severely. Miss Holmes has taken his plea and will regrow the digit for Mister Arjen to continue his profession.

  “And then there is little Aren, eight years old and son to the Dewers. The boy suffered a broken knee from falling off a tree about a years ago. Doctor Francine was at hand to save the boy’s life and mend his leg, but the severity of the injury and the limited resources meant that Aren has been handicapped to use a crutch while he experiences constant pain in his mangled limb.

  “I am happy to say that within the week, Healer Holmes and Alchemist Fennel will aid Doctor Francine to mending Aren. The procedure will take time, but initial examinations by Miss Holmes has her hopeful of returning Aren to full health and a bright future.

  “These are just three cases, three examples and the very first recipients of the Count’s charity.

  “And make no mistake, this is a charity. And it would not last forever,” Kennedy warned. “This venture would be dead in its inception without Duchess Sabina lending the services of such esteemed aether-blessed and qualified personage to her son. Even beyond which, it would have been impossible without the goodwill and willingness of such good folk to participate upon their freewill.

  “In any and every circumstance, this is a gift to the people of Roheim. A deed of generosity. The Count is very literally paying out of his pocket and his advisors are working under wage. No other way would such a thing be feasible. No other means by which it could be financed. Roheim simply does not have the capital, the revenue or taxes to afford such services. The only advantage is the small population, which affords us some flexibility with resources we can invest and manage in this pursuit.

  “All of this is no great secret. Everyone knows this. So, it remains our task to work together and get the most out of this act of benevolence. To prolong this for as long as possible without running dry of funds and volunteers. For make no mistake, ladies and gentlemen, this is not sustainable. The best we could do is help the most people we could for as long as possible.

  “Hard work and commitment, ladies and gentlemen. That is what the Count’s Court expects of you moving forward. It is entirely in your hands to make the best of this opportunity gifted to you, courtesy of Duchess Sabina and Count Hektor.

  “So, I hope you are grateful. That you are wise to see what a boon is handed to you on a silver platter, one that, hopefully, we are clever enough to sustain and not exploit to an early end.

  “And I wish us all the very best in our endeavors and for success in, what is hopefully, only the first of many initiatives to come.”

  Mister Kennedy was not the last spokesperson on the day and the meeting progressed well past noon.

  It was looking to be another commonly average day of the week for Hektor.