Most of the questions you have will be answered in time...
However, I got the impression Aribeth didn't sentence Fenthick to death. I thought he was dragged by a lynchmob and the authorities turned a blind eye. I'd find it strange that they'd hang the guilty off a tree in the middle of town...
As far as hench-people, if you're gentle and soft spoken wizard, may I suggest the gentle and soft spoken half-orc barbarian
Or perhaps Tomi. Its always nice to have that good cop/bad cop thing going. Linu has a very neutral good personality if you're looking for an accomplice.
I like to view the henchpeople as sidekicks rather than counterparts, so balancing off what your character does would be much more dramatically preferable.