Like most commoners of this era—though nobles called them all lowborn—Norris had an instinctive fear of and unease around nobles. Although the current Viscount Cecil and Gawain, who had only become the new lord a few days ago, were both friendly enough, habits accumulated over decades were not so easily changed. He had only just managed, with great effort, to speak normally with Heti, and now that Gawain had arrived, the farmer could not help growing tense again.
Yet beyond the tension and humility on his face, Gawain saw a spark in Norris's eyes that differed from that of other commoners. At first, he did not realize what it was, but half a minute later, he understood—he did not see the numbness found in most poor people on Norris's face.
He was nervous, timid, humble, and deeply apprehensive, but not numb. Within those deeply sunken eye sockets, crowded with wrinkles from years of labor, there still remained a lively gleam.
No wonder Heti had found such a farmer to discuss land reclamation with. Norris truly had the ability to "discuss" things.
"How is this land?" Gawain asked gently.
Norris held up three fingers before his chest like seedlings, forming a prayer gesture. "The Goddess of Harvest Eve watches over this place. I never imagined I would see land fit for cultivation in the Dark Mountains—this ground is level, water is easy to access, the soil is very fertile, and there are not too many stones in it. There truly is no better place to reclaim land. Now that half the Month of Harvest has passed, it is too late to plant rice, but we can plant Sweetwood Root and fireleaf vegetables. The Sweetwood Root can spend the winter in the soil and give us a decent harvest next spring. Fireleaf