Mellue, the second son of Hile, entered adulthood with charm to spare and ambition only when it was convenient. At twenty two, he showed little interest in ledgers, logistics, or long term responsibility. He preferred companionship, flirtation, and the ease of movement that came with following rather than leading. With Aylman’s star on the rise, Mellue saw no reason to push himself toward burdens already claimed by another.
He adored his older brother and admired his confidence without reservation. Aylman’s certainty gave Mellue permission to drift. He followed his lead willingly, trusting that someone else was managing the details that never held his attention. Even as questions surfaced about the darker edges of Aylman’s dealings, Mellue rarely pressed them. Doubt existed, but it was easily set aside when comfort and familiarity remained intact.
On the road, Mellue thrived. His good looks and easy manner opened doors in nearly every town. Unfortunately, those doors were often to the bedrooms of the town’s young ladies. Innkeepers welcomed him wearily. Merchants cautiously indulged him. Young women remembered him with enthusiasm that became something of a joke among the crews. He listened well, laughed easily, and left behind the sense of someone worth seeing again.
Profit, however, rarely followed him. His delivery routes seldom produced meaningful returns, and he showed little concern when they did not. Success, in Mellue’s view, was Aylman’s responsibility. His role was simpler. He was present, agreeable, and content to enjoy the journey. For now, that was enough. Whether it would remain so was a question Mellue had not yet learned to ask.