Chapter 23

  Sabina looked to Hektor standing beside her like a soldier at attention, and couldn’t help but feel that her son was being adorable in his quirky way.

  As it was, today was Hektor’s first time that he would start shadowing Sabina as she performed duties of her station. With the aim to learn from her example and pick up hints and tips from one of the best in the vocation.

  As Sabina waited for her first correspondence, she spared a few words of wisdom to educate her son.

  “Things will be different for you in Roheim, son. The county could be managed by a small group of people. It is recommended even. But do not confuse yourself with the Duchy. Faymoren is another beast altogether. A few people cannot hope to govern said beast. There are entire branches of governance, offices and departments working together to keep up the administration.

  “Most of the work is assigned and completed through the chain of command before even gracing my desk. My task becomes that of an overseer with the last seal of completion. It is only private and impending matters of state that are brought directly to my attention.

  “You would do well to dispel any illusions of grandeur today. A ruler will always be inundated with paperwork. That is fact. And a 'good’ ruler will always give the task its due diligence and make headway with his responsibilities.

  “But a man does not a nation make. Nor does he govern it. You need people to rule; subordinates to delegate. An indecisive ruler can do well with the right people behind him. But it is much more an uphill battle for a capable man to govern with incompetent subordinates.”

  The final chime of nine o’clock echoed into silence to be followed by a knock. A man bearing the livery of Faymoren entered smartly, carrying with him a tray with neatly piled files and stacks of paper. He bowed once to the Duchess and Hektor, placed the contents of the tray in front of Sabina, and promptly left.

  “No time to waste,” said Sabina, reaching for the top most file.

  “Ah, this is a resolved mater,” Sabina indicated to the stamp spelling the word RESOLVED. “It only needs my signage for record keeping.” She opened the file and plucked a parchment from it to show Hektor. “These are all the offices this file has passed through and the people who have reviewed and made amendments. I know and trust most of these people. For added surety, Mister Fenching from the Department of Commerce has given his consent. I have worked with Mister Fenching for more than twenty years. I trust his work.”

  Sabina quickly skimmed through and signed the last page. She then closed the file and placed it on her ‘completed’ tray.

  A few more files with RESOLVED stamps went to her completed pile. Hektor had taken a seat by his mother’s side as she shared her thoughts with him.

  “This is an ongoing issue,” Sabina gestured to a three page report. “The Bethard Logging Company is showing inconsistencies with their replanting of saplings,” Sabina briefed. “A minor issue, and in such instances my attention alone serves as a deterrent,” she explained.

  Hektor nodded along. The Bethards would be quaking in their boots when his mother’s reprimand reached their hands.

  “Here,” Sabina gave Hektor a few sheets of paper. “Tell me what you see.”

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  The pages contained the accounts and tax returns of a small bakery in the town of Haylock. Even after going through the numbers twice, Hektor didn’t find anything that stood out.

  “I do not see anything odd, mama,” Hektor confessed.

  Sabina seemed to have anticipated the conundrum, for she was prepared with another file. “Here. This might help.”

  The newest file held the profits and tax returns of a trading company with offices in Faymoren.

  Again, Hektor couldn’t see anything inappropriate at first glance. It was only when he put the two files side by side that he noticed a pattern.

  The bakery posted lesser profits every third month like clockwork. While the trading house posted losses every May for the past three years. Which was odd because May was a month of spring, when trading was in upswing after winter.

  Hektor shared his findings with his mother.

  Sabina smiled proudly. “Good. What do you suspect?’

  Hektor pondered. “It is only a guess, but the most likely motive is embezzling and tax evasion.”

  Sabina showed Hektor a peek of the rest of the pages of the report that she had withheld from him. “The trading house is indeed embezzling and looking for tax cuts,” she confirmed, showing Hektor the proof. “While the owner of the bakery donates regularly to his former orphanage and files the donations as losses in his taxes.”

  Hektor considered the new information.

  “So, what action would you recommend?”

  Hektor was unprepared to answer such a loaded question. “I do not know,” he said with honesty.

  “It is a good sign that you did not give a verdict,” Sabina approved. “Let me help.”

  Sabina placed the file of the bakery in the center. “We can let the baker off without any punishment. There is no harm, no foul. While what he is doing is wrong in the lawful sense, his actions are without malice.”

  Hektor breathed a sigh of release. He didn’t want to trouble the charitable baker any more than his mother.

  “As for the trading house,” Sabina paused, building up the suspense. “We do nothing,” she said finally.

  Hektor was flummoxed. He had assumed that Sabina would surely punish the trading company.

  “Confused?” Sabina asked with a smile. Hektor nodded.

  “The trading company are in the wrong, yes. Most likely the owners are embezzling and lining their pockets. But they are sensible about it and only forge their profits once a year and keep to reasonable amounts. Otherwise, they keep their books balanced, are lawful in their dealings, and are fair employers to their employees.

  “If we start punishing every business for penny pinching, no business would survive,” Sabina said with a chuckle.

  “Moderation is key. We cannot be so strict to the law that we forget to be humane. It would be another matter if the trading company were egregious in their rule breaking.

  “For now, we let them be. Should they grow bold, then the situation would need revisiting. Do you find this reasonable, son?”

  Hektor pondered and gradually nodded.

  “It is very important that you do not make hasty decisions when there is no need for haste. And always consult others when you can,” Sabina advised. “Do not fall to hubris, son. As sane a man could be. As intelligent and wise. No one is infallible.

  “Even the most insightful man could not think beyond his mind. See beyond his eyes. Hear beyond his ears.

  “One person cannot do it all, Hektor. Everyone is susceptible and everyone makes mistakes. It is all too often for a person to miss things that are otherwise blatantly obvious for everyone else. And we are at our most vulnerable to overlook things closest to us. We are prone to be selfish and short-sighted with matters personal and private.”

  Hektor nodded along to his mother.

  “So, you agree?” Sabina asked.

  Before Hektor could sense the trap, his mouth betrayed him. “Yes, mama.”

  “So, are you ready to meet the people I have chosen to follow you in Roheim?” Sabina asked sweetly, springing the trap.

  Hektor was caught flatfooted.

  “Be wary of hubris, son,” Sabina reminded again. “You cannot do this alone. No one can. As you are, young and inexperienced, it only makes it all the more important to surround you with trusted and qualified people who will aid you in this undertaking,” Sabina implored.

  “It’s decided. Tomorrow onwards, we will start introducing you to your retinue,” Sabina left no room for argument.