Steward of Kimton

I sighed inwardly as I approached the doors to the study of Duke Kimton. Unlike his father, I shuddered every time I entered his presence. He was rather immature for a man in his thirties. A result of always getting his way, I suppose. When he wasn’t being immature and lazy, he was volatile and unseemingly aggressive. I hoped he was in a lazy mood. Although annoying, it was much easier to deal with than his fierce rage. Every time I stood at this door, I thought back to my friend, the previous duke, and cursed at him for the request to serve his son faithfully. The last ten years were filled with constantly trying to steer this fool in the right direction while navigating around the latest scandal the duke had tried to get involved in.

I raised my hand and gave three sharp raps on the door as was required.

“Enter,” came the bored voice of Duke Kimton. Bored was not good. It meant he was itching to get involved in something. I gripped the brass handle with one hand and forced my face into the mask of a faithful servant.

The duke sat in his chair, his posture regal, but his expression did not hide his boredom. In my opinion, it was his own fault. He loved the authority being a duke brought him, but not the responsibility. In order to make sure he kept the dukedom running I had managed to convince him to delegate most of his responsibilities to more capable advisors. Now, he just reviewed things and decided who should take care of them. I realized that in trying to help him, I had done him a disservice. He had not grown into the leader his father had been.

“Your letters, My Lord Duke,” I said stiffly.

“Wonderful,” he said without any real enthusiasm, “Well, let’s get on with it.”

“At once, Your Lordship. The first is from your second cousin, Lord Eric Nelman,” I said, opening the letter.

“Skip it,” he said, “his letters are always so depressing.”

“Of course, My Lord,” I said while setting the letter down. I would read it later and report on anything significant.

“The next is from Lady Nancy-“

“Do you have anything but the usual drivel?” He said with a sigh.

“A letter and package from Lord Amos Bicman.”

This caused the Duke to raise his eyebrows. “Who is that?”

“He is the son of Baron Aaron Bicman. They are your Northernmost barony.”

“Oh yes, the Marsh Dwellers.”

I cringed at the slur. “Yes, My Lord.”

“Wasn’t somebody making inquiries about them last year?”

“I believe so, but I do not recall the specifics.” That was a lie, of course. I believe I was aware of most of the maneuvering that happened in the Duke's court.

“Well, open the letter. Let’s see what it is all about. Maybe what those inquiries were about will be revealed.”

"It appears there are two letters here.”

I had learned to speed read several years ago. It allowed me to quickly scan letters to prevent anything that the Duke could make poor judgments about from reaching his ears. Finding nothing that I believed would lead to anything significant, I read the first letter.

“Is this man unwell in the head, or should I take this letter as an insult?” Duke Kimton asked with no small amount of umbrage.

I was not really concerned about whether or not he punished the young man who wrote the letter. Even if the boy’s head should roll because of it, I don’t think anyone would care, but I decided to give my input all the same.

“According to my reports, I believe this letter is the result of a poor education. He was disliked by his father and brother. I believe he was to be married off when he turned eighteen to a merchant family. He is probably requesting regency from the King out of stupidity and ignorance. If he really was intentionally insulting you, he would not have informed you of his decision.”

“Make sure we never invite him to court. What embarrassment that would be.” There was a pause, and then he said, “On second thought, that might liven things up a bit. Do you really think the deaths were an illness? We really must find out more about those inquiries.”

“Maybe the second letter will give us some insight,” I said while quickly scanning the next letter. Again, I decided to read it in full.

“So it was an assassination! That is more exciting than the usual drivel,” Duke Kimton said, “He says he has dealt with the rest of the family. Execution, most likely. Too bad the barony was left with an idiot. I should just get rid of the boy myself. If someone is already trying to kill him, it would be easy to pin it on someone.”

“We will want to wait until we have someone to pin it on, My Lord. We cannot act hastily. The land was received for saving the previous king's life. We don’t know the disposition of the current king.” I was pretty sure the current king couldn’t care less, but I wanted to be cautious.

“Is that how it was obtained? Interesting, we will wait to see how the king responds to these crudely written letters before we do anything. In the meantime, find out who was responsible for the assassination.” He was lost in thought for a moment and then nodded. “Your son, the one who cannot see right. We will send him to the barony.”

“My son?” I could not hide the surprise in my voice.

“Yes, they need a steward, and he is no good here. You had requested I find him a position somewhere. Where better to place such a lame duck than with a bumbling baron who cannot even write a decent letter and does not provide the proper courtesies to his betters.”

I ground my teeth. My son was the best of men. Intelligent beyond his years and worth of a position in a high noble's court, not some lowly backwater baron. His eyesight was the only thing that kept him from a prestigious position. I worried this was my fault, a curse of having fathered a child so late in my life.

I schooled my features and said, “It shall be done.”

“Good, now let us open the package.”

As I lifted the lid, I found a small utensil inside. Lifting it out, I stared at it in wonder. If it was what I suspected it was and it worked as intended, then this would change much.

“What is this,” Duke Kimton said in annoyance, “A miniature scepter? Do they seek to impress me with the craftsmanship of this marshland trinket? Have it returned with your son. I am almost persuaded to have the boy's head brought back to me. First, though, I would like you to find out who is making a move on this barony. Also, I want to see how long the nephew survives.”

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

I almost thought to explain the thing's true significance, but after the insult to my son, I decided to let him remain ignorant.

Benjamin Steward- A few days later

I was sitting in my father's study. Deep in a game of tiles when the door burst open. Jumping up from my seat at the sudden interruption, I turned to find Father storming into the room. His usual mask of serenity was nowhere to be found. This was never a good sign.

“What is the matter, Father?” I said with concern.

“The duke is ordering you to go to the Barony of Bicman.”

It took me a moment to place the name on the map I held in my head. “The Northernmost barony?” I said, not hiding my surprise. “But why?”

“Their previous steward killed most of the family and then died himself. All that remains is the second son, Amos, and his nephew.”

“What concerns you so much about this?” Inwardly, I was ecstatic at the opportunity to leave this place, but I knew better than to show it on my face.

“The man is incompetent. I know that, with your condition, you struggle to read. Let me read you the letters he wrote to the Duke, and you will see what manner of man you would be working for.” I inwardly grimaced at his unintended insult. I could read just fine. I just needed the parchment to be some distance from my face.

As he read the letters, I could not keep the grimace from appearing outwardly. That was indeed a poorly written letter. “And the Duke did not order the young man executed or at least punished.”

“It is because there is a game being played that involves that barony. He is keeping the baron alive for that reason only.”

“You said ‘would’ not ‘will’. You do not intend for me to go to Bicman.” I stated.

“You have always been perceptive. I want you to make it as if you are going there but then leave evidence somewhere along the road that confirms that you were robbed and killed. Then head to your Cousin Mathew’s estate in Baylemis. He has requested you previously, and the only reason I have not sent you is because I was hoping the Duke would help me get you a more prestigious position. But now… I am afraid this is your only option. It is far enough away that your presence with them will be unknown. The Duke may already have forgotten about you. I will not have you caught up in some scheme. Especially with an imbecile running the barony.”

I had no desire to go to my cousin's estate. I did not want any more pitying looks and quiet whispers about my condition. I had to phrase this next part carefully. “Father, I appreciate what you are trying to do for me, but this is a direct request from the duke. You do not respect him, and yet you still serve him out of loyalty to the dutchy. Can I do any less? Though he may not have meant it as an honor, I have a duty to improve the dutchy by any means. Even if it is working for an incompetent lord.”

“You are a good man, Benjamin. I had a feeling you might say that. That is why I have spent the last few days preparing all the information I could gather on the barony and Lord Amos. Read it carefully before you make your decision. It may change your mind. And there is no rush to leave. If you decide to, a month or so will not be noticed by the duke.” With that, he dropped a stack of parchment and several scrolls on the table and left me to read.

After he left, I began to read through the documents. Some of the writing was so small that I had to hold it quite far away. I could see the reason for my father's concern. This man was possibly worse than the Duke. By all accounts, he was a dimwit that was also a drunk and a chaser of women's skirts. Not that this was uncommon for noble children, but the barony might be burnt to the ground by the time I even get there. That or all the people may have starved due to poverty.

Nevertheless, the idea of visiting the Marsh Dweller's land intrigued me. There was also the question of intrigue. Could I discover what it was about this land that made someone kill a whole family over it? Also, the nephew, what made the Lord request regency rather than claim the barony? Were the nephew's grandparents of any significance? Did he fear offending them in case they learned that he murdered his nephew? By all accounts, there was no love between him and his family. What was his game?

The next day, I went to speak with my father. “Father, I will go and do my duty. If not for the duke or the regent, then at least for the people of the Dutchy.”

My father sighed. “As you wish. Since I cannot persuade you otherwise, I might as well show you some things. I withheld them because I feared they alone would compel you to leave straightway to the Barony of Bicman.”

He presented a box to me. When I lifted the lid, I found a stick with a brass nub at the end. After staring at it for a moment, I had to admit I had no idea of its importance or use. “I am sorry, father. I fear I do not understand the importance of this implement.”

“Watch,” He said with a smile. With that, he removed the stick. Dipped it in the ink on his table and began to write with it.”

I watched in fascination as the letters were written smoothly on the parchment. “That is wonderful. Where did it come from?”

“The lord sent it with his letter.”

“Then why do you have it,” I said in confusion.

“The duke did not understand what it was, and I didn’t feel like telling him at the time. He told me to send it back to Bicman with you.”

“You didn’t feel like… Father! You… If he finds out what it is.” The color drained from his face.

“He will eventually, but he will assume I was ignorant as well. He only has himself to blame. After throwing you to the wolves, I was not in the mood to be helpful.”

“This is not like you, Father. We should tell him. It’s a simple design. It can be easily made. The Dutchy could make a lot of money.”

“Unless there is already a writ for it. I am sure the king will receive one of these pens as well. When you go to Bicman, take this with you and find out where the baron got it.” He said, handing it to me. Then he held out the notes he had not let me read yesterday. “I did not let you read these yesterday because this would have also piqued your curiosity.”

I immediately understood what he meant when I felt the material. This was not something I had ever seen before. What was it made of?

“Hold it up to the light. You may not be able to see it with your eyesight, but there is a lighter mark on the corner. It somehow has the crest of Bicman and EJ stamped on it. We need to know about this material and how much it costs to produce.

“This is very curious. I can see why you withheld this from me, even if I am disappointed that you did.”

“I didn’t want it to affect your judgment.”

I smiled, “You just don’t want me to go. So who is it that is conspiring against the Bicman’s?”

My father raised his eyebrows, “You assume I know.”

“Of course, you know, Father.”

He nodded, “Yes, I know. But it is nothing you need to worry about. I will take care of it. I will not have you caught up in these issues.”

“Father, I may need to know.”

“No, the family is dangerous. I will not have you getting involved. Just don’t go snooping around, or you may end up with a knife in your back before you leave.”

“Fine, I trust your judgment. But I don’t think the knowledge will hurt me where I am going.”

“It is before you leave that concerns me. I don’t want you to act unnaturally around the family. They most certainly know that their plot failed, and they will be looking for people who act suspiciously around them.”

“You will tell me before I leave then.”

“I may.”

That was probably the best I was going to get.

“Do you know why?”

“They want to place one of their own there. The problem is I don’t know why. Be careful, Benjamin.”

Behind closed doors

“The steward of Bicman failed, My Lady. The youngest son and his nephew survived. What’s more, the steward tried to use poison during an outbreak to cover it up. Not a bad idea, but his family confessed after the steward himself died.”

“Hmm… Who knows?” said an icy voice.

“Unfortunately, there was a letter sent from Bicman that reached the duke. The court will be a buzz with it in a day or so.”

“That is… Unfortunate.”

“Should I send someone to clean up the mess?”

“No, those who request the land once it is available will become suspect—doubly so for the one who receives it. And if we aren’t going to request it, then we might as well not open it up for anyone else unless we can find a way to frame them.”

“There are some who will be displeased with the delay.”

“We have time, and worst case scenario, we take a more forward approach.”

“I should note that it is very likely the land will open up without us having to do anything. From what I have gathered, the new baron is an incompetent drunk. Likely, he has already run off with all the barony has left. If not, then he will ask for help from the Dutchy and get executed for his incompetence.”

“I want an updated report on the barony. Send a man to investigate. Also, see if he can kill the nephew and pin it on the baron. That may help to draw the attention of the court away from things we are planning. They are always looking for extra gossip.”

“I will see it done.”