From Londoner To Lord

The air crackled with a newfound energy as a thunderous roar of affirmation echoed through the square. The villagers, their hearts brimming with hope and full of anticipation, were ready. They were ready to work, to fight for a better tomorrow, for themselves, for their families, and for the new future Lord Kivamus had promised them.

This new Baron was unlike any other they'd ever encountered. The promises made by Lord Kivamus, while not a complete solution to their problems, offered a glimmer of light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. With the opportunity to work, grow their own food, and hunt safely, the people of Tiranat began to believe in the possibility of a better tomorrow. They would face the challenges ahead, not as individuals, but as a united community, their spirits bolstered by a newfound sense of purpose and a Baron who, for the first time in their memory, seemed to genuinely care about their well-being.

The cheers that continued to roar in the marketplace were no longer just a release of tension, but a genuine expression of hope.

Tesyb scanned the faces around him, and as expected, he didn't find any of them discouraged at the news of free meals being limited to children and the elderly. These were proud people, their spirits unbroken despite the hardships of recent months. Their eyes, though weary, held a spark of fierce determination - those able to work would undoubtedly pour their hearts into it.

This unexpected compassion from the new lord in the last announcement instilled a fierce sense of loyalty in the chosen recruits, including Tesyb himself. Free meals to those who couldn't work meant that the Baron would ensure the well-being of the families of any guards who fell in the line of duty, ensuring they wouldn't have to resort to begging or stealing to survive. Any lingering doubts in his mind about risking his life as a guard vanished into thin air, and he resolved to do everything in his power to protect Lord Kivamus and his ideals. The new baron didn't just view the villagers as human beings, he seemed to actually care for them.

Tesyb wouldn't be fighting for just himself anymore, he was fighting for the well-being of his loved ones, and for a comfortable future for his family, where the new lord of Tiranat would ensure they wouldn't go hungry again.

Finally, Hudan raised his hands, signaling for quiet. "Alright, those were all the major announcements for now," he boomed. "And those of you who'll be coming for the meals in the evening, don't forget to bring a bowl if you have it." However, before he could dismiss them, Mr. Duvas, the Baron's majordomo, leaned in and murmured something to him. Hudan nodded thoughtfully and addressed the crowd once more.

"There's one last thing before we depart with the new recruits," he announced. "To start our farming initiative properly, we require a few experienced farmers to guide the process. I understand that most of you have spent your lives toiling in the mines, as farming has never been done here since the village's founding. However, some of you, particularly the older villagers, might have experience in tending to crops before they moved to Tiranat."

"Lord Kivamus," Hudan continued, "wishes to meet any villager who has prior farming experience. Once you all return home, spread the word about this. Also, let the village carpenter and the blacksmith know that they are needed at the manor by this evening."

Hudan surveyed the crowd with a satisfied nod. "Alright, that's all for today. Remember to spread the word about the free meals for the elderly and children. Let them know they can come to the manor gates in a few hours to receive their evening meals." With a final nod, Hudan stepped off the bench he had been standing on.

Tesyb's heart pounded in his chest. He couldn't let this opportunity slip away. Interrupting Hudan, he blurted out, "Wait, Sir Hudan!"

Hudan chuckled. "Easy there, I'm not a sir," he said, his gruff voice laced with a hint of amusement. "Call me Hudan."

Tesyb nodded. He explained, his voice filled with nervous urgency, "You mentioned a need for experienced farmers…"

Hudan nodded in confirmation. "We need all the expertise we can get to get these farms up and running by springtime."

Tesyb took a deep breath. This was it. "Well, sir… I mean, Hudan," he stammered, correcting himself, "my father, Pinoto, used to work on a farm before he moved here to work in the coal mines. I was just a young child then, but I remember him talking about it often. He has decades of experience in farming, easy." He continued, "He wouldn't be able to handle farm work anymore, but he could certainly assist Lord Kivamus with his past knowledge."

A slow smile spread across Duvas' face. "That's right! In fact, I think I remember Pinoto telling me about that, many years ago." He looked at Tesyb. "The Baron is eager to meet anyone with experience like his. Why don't you run home right quick and tell your father about this? You can ask him to come to the manor by evening."

"And you," Hudan said, "don't worry about being late. We won't begin the final selection of the guards until you return."

Tesyb's heart swelled with gratitude. "Thank you!" he exclaimed, a wide grin splitting his face. "I won't be long."

Turning to the newly selected recruits, Hudan bellowed, "The rest of you, follow me to the manor now!"

A wave of nervous excitement washed over the chosen men. Today marked a turning point not just for their village, but for their own lives. They straightened their backs, and with a heart brimming with loyalty, they followed Hudan, eager to face the final test and claim their places among the protectors of this village.

The crowd began to disperse as well, a hive of activity buzzing with renewed purpose. The prospect of work, food security, and a caring new Baron filled the air with a tangible sense of optimism as they turned to walk to their homes.

Tesyb darted through the dispersing crowd, his legs pumping with renewed energy. Even if he didn't get chosen as a guard today, the availability of free meals for the elderly and orphans would ensure his family wouldn't go hungry. But the image of his parents, gaunt and dejected, haunted him. He couldn't bear to see them wasting away any longer. It wasn't just about the food, it was about giving his father a sense of purpose, a way to reclaim a part of his lost life and feel useful again. His father's knowledge of farming, gleaned from years of toil on the land, could be his saving grace. He yearned to see the spark return to his parents eyes, to replace the dejection that had settled there in recent months.

Tesyb vividly recalled the stories his father used to tell him and his sister when they were young, stories of life on a farming estate in the north - of their life before the land owner said he couldn't afford to pay them anymore, forcing them to move to Tiranat. Now, perhaps, his father could relive those memories, not just through stories, but through active participation. He couldn't wait to share this news, to see a flicker of hope rekindle in their eyes.

He also harbored a secret hope - that his father's experience might pave the way for a better life for their whole family. Perhaps, with his father's guidance and the Baron's support, they could even own a small plot of land someday, a place of their own to cultivate and call home. He quickened his pace, his heart brimming with a newfound determination to seize this opportunity and carve a brighter future for himself and his loved ones.

Kuzunalis

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From the next chapter, we return to Kivamus' POV. Also, Patrons are 16,000 words ahead now! 

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