Chapter 2

  Hektor got the door to come across a familiar face. “Morning, Shane.”

  “Morning,” the visitor returned with a smile. Donning a fashionable coat, with his styled blonde hair, blue eyes and tall frame, the man made for an eye-catching individual. As well dressed to impress, his tailored clothes crisp and flattering, the collar of his shirt flared unbuttoned.

  Walking in riding boots polished to a shine, Shane offered respects to Thadeus who had shuffled over in curiosity. “Mister Thadeus. Hope you are well,” he said with a half salute and a small bow.

  Finding it too early to be sociable, Thadeus merely replied with a gruff nod.

  Overlooking the poor welcome, Shane turned to Hektor who was to be the purpose of his visit. “You are summoned, Hex. Quickly. We are in a hurry,” he announced dutifully.

  Hektor cringed at the term of endearment, if that. The handsome lout thought it endearing to call someone Hex. What was so loveable about a nickname that meant being cursed or branded with misfortune?

  “Is everything alright?” Hektor inquired with niggling worry. While visits from Shane were common, they were rarely so early and unannounced. Rather, Hektor was most often informed in advance of his appointments and extended the courtesy to prepare. The abrupt summon was unusual, as was Shane’s urgency.

  “Why shouldn’t it be?” retorted Shane, not entirely convincingly.

  Thadeus interjected, “How fare’s the Duchess?”

  “By the Grace of Three, Her Grace is safe and sound,” Shane replied eagerly, grateful for being presented with a harmless query. “Now be quick,” he harried, pointedly producing his pocket-watch to take in the time.

  Hektor remained unconvinced, but at the same time he found no reason to disobey. “Do we have time to stop at my apartment?”

  Shane took a moment to consider. “It would be better that we go directly. I wouldn’t keep them waiting. Even as early as it is, I am pressed for time,” he admitted, more to himself. “But we could if you must.”

  “No, it is not necessary,” Hektor was amenable. “Just give me a few minutes.”

  Once Hektor left to be presentable, the two men turned strangers. Thadeus offered Shane a chair and gestured to the jug of water on the table which seemed the extent of his hospitality. Seated, Shane waited for Hektor to finish his ablutions while Thadeus studied the youth in front of him. They were all young in his eyes.

  Thadeus could smell something afoot. A man of his acumen was far too smart to ignore the peculiarities.

  “You come bearing the standards,” Thadeus commented offhandedly while gazing through the window at the beautiful horses fitted in their regalia. One of them could very well cost more than his entire house. “Not counting my collection, of course,” he thought to himself. Thadeus would never belittle his scholarly possessions.

  Shane was relieved to dispel the silence. “They are good horses. Hex can handle the reigns,” he defended.

  Thadeus shook his head chidingly. Shane meant well, but he wasn’t always the brightest. “He doesn’t like the attention, Shane. A simple carriage would have sufficed.”

  Shane’s expression dulled. “I really am pressed for time,” he stressed. “I wanted to beat the crowds and took the readiest mounts.”

  “Why the hurry?” Thadeus prodded.

  Shane jerked, recalling that he was sitting across a very clever man. “Can’t really say,” he replied guardedly with practiced discretion, all but confirming that he was on ‘official’ business.

  Thadeus grew more curious, but refrained from imposing on Shane’s fealty. His gut prompting him to be patient. As it were, it was possible that he could be overthinking things. And while Thadeus remained skeptical, Shane was trustworthy. He did not want to needlessly make things difficult for the young man merely doing his duty.

  Thadeus couldn’t do much regardless as he simply didn’t have the time, for Hektor appeared shortly after, his hair dripping from his hasty washing with a flat cap tucked under his arm.

  “Ready,” he announced to Shane who immediately stood to leave.

  Thadeus gave Hektor a reassuring farewell. “I will be here when you return. And if you’re late, you can stay over.”

  “Thank you,” Hektor returned and followed the impatient Shane, donning his cap and closing the door behind.

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  Outdoors was another northern morning out and about with the city rising to liveliness. If they did not hurry, their travelling time could easily double by the increasing traffic.

  Shane readily mounted at the hitching post, while Hektor took the time to familiarize himself with his horse. Patting the flanks and searching into its eyes revealed the horse to be docile towards different riders. With Shane egging his own horse besides, Hektor mounted tentatively.

  While knowing how to, horse-riding wasn’t a habit for Hektor. He always had his feet take him where he wanted to be. Hence the experience of finding himself on horseback always came as a novel sensation. The height always felt uncomfortable at the start and being atop an intelligent animal was always a little daunting.

  Shane was an adept rider who was considerate enough to start off a at a canter, giving Hektor the time he needed to get comfortable and urge his horse to follow Shane’s lead.

  Getting past seven in the morning, the commotion was steadily rising. Thankfully their route was out of the way of markets and other crowded districts, and away from the ever-bustling train docks southwards. Otherwise Hektor wasn’t confident of handling his horse at the gallop Shane was setting.

  In the lead, Shane turned to make sure that he was followed and noticed that Hektor’s cap was a few sizes too large, obscuring most of his face. Seeing Hektor’s simple disguise for what it was, Shane was reminded of what Thadeus had said earlier. For a moment he wondered that perhaps he had been a bit inconsiderate. But what was done was done and he spurred his horse to task.

  Hektor tried to get Shane to slow down, but Shane wasn’t obliging. Leaving him to abandon any attempts at figuring out the need for such urgency as he was mostly focused on handling his horse and not running over someone. He was thankful for the cap hiding his face as more than few choice words were thrown his way for their haste. Unfairly, no one hurled abuse at Shane who was the cause of it all.

  Thankfully he avoided any accidents on their way to the more relaxed and less public districts. He was equally grateful for the soft saddle or he would have turned sore in places he didn’t want turning sore.

  Soon enough, Hektor passed close by his residence, sparing it a glance and a wave to the guards stationed outside. He could do little else as Shane hadn’t slowed despite nearing the end of their journey.

  Their destination was easily the biggest and most noteworthy landmark in the city. The vast estate could be seen from some distance, dominating the sightlines with its many towers. The castle itself settled pristinely at an elevation. It was an awe-inspiring monument and an appreciative feat of landscaping and architecture. Its sheer size and excess were always an eye opener, especially in contrast to the blooming city around its expanse.

  Yet despite its majesty and grandeur, Hektor feared the place. He would fancy better chances in a dark alley than within the castle walls.

  Shane thundered past the outer gates, but Hektor slowed his horse’s gallop to a respectable canter. The stationed guards only gave him a glancing inspection and a polite bow, letting him pass without incident. Such was the norm and Hektor was grateful for the anonymity deferred to him. Trained manners and common courtesy made the functioning of such a large estate so much easier for everyone involved. He conveyed thanks at their conduct and promptly forged ahead.

  Shane had already disappeared, but Hektor was familiar with the confusing castle grounds. Full of twist and turns, there was never a straight path to anywhere one needed to be. Hektor had to go round pristine gardens sticking to the designated pathways, cross sparkling fountains, round buildings, while avoiding busybodies. Finally, he arrived adjacent to the main castle building, to a discreet entrance at a smaller protruding wing. It was one of the many servants’ entrances.

  As Hektor dismounted, a practiced hand took charge of the horse and began leading it to the designated stables.

  Hektor entered the busy corridor, trying not to get in the way of people. Most ignored his arrival, but a few did seem to look twice at noticing him. Not unusual, but there was some staring. Hektor put it to the back of his mind and ducked into a washroom.

  He took a few seconds to make himself presentable. The horse ride had not done him any favors. His hair had dried and set in an unruly mess, while his pants had creases. He tamed his hair and smoothened the creases to some success. Thankfully, he hadn’t sweated through the jacket.

  Exiting, he found Shane waiting for him. He too had taken care of appearances. He had smartly buttoned up and donned a cravat, while discarding his riding boots for dress shoes with raised heels. He substituted his jacket for a waistcoat with the royal livery of Faymoren on his breast; triangular mountain peaks enshrined within a circle.

  Shane returned a scrutinizing glance over Hektor who wore a dark formal buttoned jacket with gray trimmings and accents with matching pants. It was an understated ensemble that Hektor wore like a uniform. Shane noticed that the sleeves of the jacket and the hem of the pants had come a little short.

  “You need new clothes.”

  “No, I don’t,” Hektor replied instinctively, shuddering at the notion of talking fashion. Nothing against Shane, but at such a blatant contrast to his own sensibilities, Hektor’s impression was that Shane took to his primping a tad overly.

  “Come.”

  Even though Hektor knew the way, he followed with his head down, apprehensive of what was to come.

  As soon as they entered the palace proper, Hektor felt a sudden bout of claustrophobia. He always did, facing the same terror he did whenever he returned.

  With the walls closing in, his vision tunneled. Chest tightening, his breathing shallowed. His hearing dulled as if underwater. Breaking into a cold sweat as the panic crested, his thoughts slowed to sludge.

  The saving grace, if that, was that a person could get used to unpleasant things. Knowing beforehand of what was to come helped Hektor endure the panic attack. With long practice, he masked his emotions and hid his distress, managing to put one foot in front of the other.

  Traversing the decorated long hallways, Hektor barely noticed his surroundings. Following Shane absentmindedly, all of his conscious effort was put towards regaining his composure. Fortunately, the nervous episode expired before his panic was noticed.

  Out of breath and in the process of collecting his wits, all too soon Hektor arrived at his destination.

  As they approached the ornately carved doors, a stationed servant marched inside to announce their arrival while the guard moved aside to allow entry.

  Shane slowed enough for Hektor to overtake him. “Here is where I leave you, Hex,” he said, giving Hektor’s shoulder a pat. “Farewell.” Not standing for ceremony, Shane walked away to his ensuing duties.

  On the threshold, Hektor spared a moment to steady his nerve before stepping forth.