Chapter 24
The first people that Sabina made introductions for were Mister and Missus Wicks, a lovely couple in their forties.
The Wicks name had been one that had been employed by the Ashworth family in one form or another for generations. The Wicks couple thus came from good stock. Their character had never been impeached upon and they had always upheld a stellar standard in all services rendered. With the pair’s impressive references and glowing recommendations, along with a thorough background check turning up no skeletons in the closet, Sabina had no compunctions as to appointing them to be a part of Hektor’s new household in Roheim.
Earnest Wicks was to be the majordomo, the chief steward of the household. It would be his duty to manage the domestic finances and oversee the upkeep of the fort which was to serve as the count’s residence. It would also fall to him to ensure that the large estate ran smoothly and without problems. He would be the one to interact personally with prominent residents and settle disputes amongst the staff.
Ruby Wicks would work alongside her husband. Though her focus would be more towards the household staff and their management. She would be particularly busy early on, for they had to hire most of the staff locally and it would fall to Ruby to have them interviewed, trained and assigned to their new jobs.
The meeting lasted less than an hour and Hektor was taken with the Wicks. For all their impressive credentials and professionalism, what endeared them to Hektor was the fact that couple were warmhearted and affable people. Hektor easily preferred them to the formal and reserved attitudes that were usually upheld in noble households.
The Wicks would be leaving for Roheim within a fortnight to make ready their new home. They left with an open invitation to Hektor should he want to meet them with over any inquiries and suggestions.
Knight Tomas Quincy was chosen from Sabina’s inner circle to be a part of Hektor’s cabal.
The gruff Knight Quincy was to be Hektor’s Captain of the guard and General of Roheim’s armed forces. A further dozen squires were to join him in the endeavor of rousing a small local force in Roheim and train them into soldiers under the count’s command.
It was all par for the course. However, the strongest impression that Hektor got of Knight Quincy was an that of an unwilling participant. His reluctance was apparent and Quincy made no attempt to hide his displeasure. He was irritable and curt, just a step away from insolent.
What was more surprising was that rather than losing patience with Quincy, Sabina didn’t pay any mind to the Knight’s rudeness.
Knight Quincy barely remained in the room for fifteen minutes, before excusing himself.
“Are you sure about him?” Hektor had asked.
Sabina chuckled. “You and Knight Quincy are more similar than you think. He is famous for his conduct with authority, but that does not take away from the fact that the man is a gifted trainer and tactician. Both of you could do a lot worse.”
Marolyn Lloyds was someone Hektor had known since childhood, though he had not seen her in years. Miss Lloyd’s grandmother had been Delia’s sister, making Marolyn Delia’s grand-niece.
Marolyn was also the only wizard born after Delia in her family and the long-lived pair had bonded closer for it. Delia had taken it upon herself to sponsor the latest wizard in her family and used her connections to help pave the way for her grand-niece.
In her early thirties, Marolyn was quite young by wizarding standards. Yet she had propelled through completing her studies in the academy and gone on to work as a minister’s aide in Orensten, which was the third largest city in the Faymoren Duchy.
And now she was to be Hektor’s second in command.
“This proved to be a stroke of good fortune,” Delia spoke up. “Marolyn was due an endorsement and being a count’s deputy is certainly a notch on her belt,” said Delia while patting Marolyn’s shoulder who sat beside her.
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“As for you,” Delia addressed Hektor, “Marolyn is family and I vouch for her. I put her name forward because I believe that she would be a good choice as your adjutant. But it was Sabina who picked her.
"Marolyn is overly qualified for the job and she has real experience in the governance of a territory. She also has quite the keen mind for politics,” Delia praised her great-niece. “I dare say you would not find a better match,” Delia boasted like an elder did for their favorite child.
“In all honesty,” Delia sobered, “Marolyn is more than capable of presiding over Roheim by herself. This is not a suggestion,” she warned sternly at Hektor, “but a reassurance! With Marolyn beside you, you can afford to make mistakes because she would there to correct them and educate you as to why. She would be your advisor and insurance rolled into one.
“Most conveniently, you have known Marolyn since you were a babe and she is my blood. Sabina and I work together splendidly. Who’s to say that the same cannot be true of you two?”
Hektor smiled and shook his head.
“You don’t have to convince me, Aunt Delia. I would gratefully accept Miss Lloyd as my adjutant if she wants it.”
Hektor walked to the lady in question. Up close, Hektor could spot the similarities.
Marolyn appeared to be a lady in her mid-twenties. She was a catching woman with a heart shaped face that held contrastingly stern features. Especially her stormy grey eyes giving her a gravitas to her noble bearing.
She had darker hair than Delia’s auburn, and was slimmer and taller than her grandmother. Hektor would never admit that out loud.
She also reserved her opinion, opting to observe rather than participate in the discussion, her demeanor confident in its conclusion.
Hektor walked up to her and gave a shallow bow. “Miss Lloyd’s, would you accept the position of Deputy to the Count of Roheim?”
Marolyn rose and curtsied. “Yes. I would, Young Master Hektor,” she intoned formally.
With the inevitable conclusion, Sabina and Delia didn’t prolong the moment beyond Delia offering a congratulatory hug to her great-niece.
The third and final appointment of the day was a stranger.
Only Hektor wasn’t sure that the man was indeed a stranger. Hektor had the vaguest sense that he had seen the man before, but couldn’t recall when are where.
One thing that was apparent, was that Hektor’s instincts had singled out the man as dangerous.
The silver fox of a man walked with a predator’s languid grace, his stride assured and footsteps silent. There was no rigidity in his bearing, every action was fluid and controlled with an ease that Hektor could only compare to Sabina in the room.
The man wore a crisp uniform, creaseless like a second skin. Even though Hektor couldn’t spot a weapon on him, he wouldn’t bet on the man being unarmed.
“Allow me to introduce Sir Eric Gideon,” Sabina presented. “A man to whom I have entrusted with my life on many an occasion. As I have yours,” she nodded to Hektor.
It took a moment, but Hektor realized that Sir Gideon must have been one of his shadow guards over the years. It would also explain why he looked somewhat familiar. Hektor must have spotted him or seen him in disguise sometime in the past.
“Thank you for your service,” Hektor expressed sincerely, hoping to convey his deepest gratitude.
Sir Gideon offered a small bow. “It was my duty,” he spoke in a deep gravelly voice.
“Sir Gideon has accepted to being your protector,” Sabina informed. “He will be your shadow. Your shield. Your most loyal man.”
Hektor tried not to show his frazzled nerves, but he was greatly unsettled within. Even though his mother had informed him beforehand of gaining a protector, in the moment of truth, Hektor found it all… revolting.
Hektor had known about many acts of allegiance and of servitude. It was a common thing amongst the nobility and the rich to have bodyguards and protection. But when Sir Gideon pledged his life to protect his, Hektor found it all very sordid.
Hektor simply could not fathom how a person he had never known was willing to lay down their life to save his. Beyond that sacrifice, was the sacrifice Sir Gideon had to make to his very way of living. To shadow him, to be by his side always, Sir Gideon would have to abandon his own goals and aspirations, relinquish his wants and needs, all in the line of duty.
Hektor simply couldn’t understand such commitment and trust. He couldn’t reciprocate such faith and it unnerved him. Such resolution and belief from a man he hardly knew scared him. The daunting responsibility of having another life so entwined to his shook him.
All at the request of his mother. Peeking at her, Hektor was terrified with how cavalier Sabina was with Sir Gideon. That she had condemned the man to the life of a parasite.
The traitorous thought was so at odds with the truth that it compelled Hektor into thinking straight.
No. Sabina wasn’t being cavalier with Sir Gideon. Instead, she had expected Hektor to understand the sanctity of Sir Gideon’s vow. It was Hektor who had failed to understand the duty and burden placed upon him.
Hektor couldn’t come to terms with it. Maybe he could in the future. Maybe not.
Hektor looked to Sir Gideon and saw placid acceptance. Hektor did not know what the man was feeling or thinking, but he got the impression that the man was at peace with what was occurring. That eased his nerves a little.
A small part within Hektor mourned the loss of his privacy and solitude. But that voice was quashed by Gideon’s sacrifice and duty. Hektor would not insult the man by belittling his allegiance.
