Ridkin Fairchild
Ridkin is an artful dodger type of character, who has grown up in the roughest parts of the capital city, and only escaped a life of abuse by escaping to a provincial town, where Ant Ackroyd found him and gave him work in the stables of Ebury Castle. He is perhaps 20 years old and instantly dislikes William for his education and the opportunities this grants him. In contrast to William, Ridkin gets on with people and makes friends easily. He is most at home with his horses and enjoys the company of the other stable lads over a few pints. He is streetwise and savvy, which is why Ackroyd gives him the task of ensuring that the naïve William reaches Ludnam and returns safely. Unsurprisingly, things don’t turn out as expected. Ridkin carries an interesting secret that everyone but William seems to be aware of. He has strong views on matters such as equality, the lot of the poor, and the plight of women in a patriarchal society.