Theodric felt an overwhelming sense of pride as the sun filtered through the leaves creating small rays of light he and the horse he rode would pass through.

It had been nearly seven years of constant combat. Barely more than a boy when he became a knight and within weeks they were at war with a neighboring nation. A long, drawn out, bloody war he feared many times would claim him. But it did not. He lived, he worked his way up through the ranks, he earned his king's favor and trust.

And now? Now it's all paid off. Sir Theodric Cassibar has a nice ring to it. Land owner. Lord of a manor.

It wasn't long before he crested the hill. The land that had once been enemy territory now owned by his king like the rest of the fallen nation, but this little corner was untouched. A village sitting in the shadow of the manor waiting for him. it might not be the lordship of a large city on the coast but it was his.

He urged the horse forward. He'd need to address the people soon. Introduce himself. He was their lord now. And he'd be a damned good one.