Don stared at the man, his gaze unflinching, unblinking. His mouth curled into a displeased sneer as he listened to the excuses. His eyes locked with the mans as soon as he raised his head, his sneer normally would have grown worse from the disrespect the man showed but he had long ago gotten used to the hurried averting of eyes.<br/><br/>“So, you come to me and beg for my forgiveness and mercy, yet all your bring me are excuses.” He said imperiously, raising his hands from the desk and starting to walk along right next to the walls. His boots resounded off the wooden floor, the deep sound the only sound in the room. His eyes scanned the books, looking for something. He knew each village at least, and from that he could guess where this man was from. He finally found what he was looking for, pulling a thick tome from the shelf. He carried it back to the desk, laying it spine down and starting to flip through it.<br/><br/>“Ah here… Rolf Ducan. Four dependents, a wife and three daughters.”  He read off from the ledger, continuing down. “Records show that you have a habit of being late, and the quality of your tithe is among the lowest in the land” He looked up from the book, staring at Rolf again. “And you ask for my help?” He stood up straight again and walked around the desk, standing right in front of the cowering man and glaring at him. “And look at you. You made the trip here did you not? How are you unable to work your fields?” Don said firmly, his voice cold.<br/><br/>Still, the man stared back. His gaze did not falter despite having to look directly into the stony gaze of the lord. For once, Don was impressed almost amused at the man’s determination. There was something else nagging at him too, something in the ledger. He straightened up yet again, going back around to glare into the ledger this time. His features gradually softened, not that the scars let it show through. What was it? Why was he not throwing this man out into the streets? Was it that he had actually seen someone’s face for more than an instant?<br/><br/>“Fine.” He said after a long, heavy silence. “You get a month’s reprieve. After that I expect a 50% bonus to your monthly tithe. You will also be given the money to buy new tools and seeds. Perhaps enough to hire an extra set of hands.” He said, for once seemingly showing kindness.<br/><br/>“But,” He said, raising a hand to stop the man’s worshiping thanks. “I will also help in another way. Removing one of your mouths to feed.” He looked over the ledger again, placing his finger on a name. “Mila. Send her to live here” He said, looking up at the man with a steely gaze that implied his conditions were to be met or Rolf would leave with nothing.