Roman's title was that of a King and also a Lord.
The latter was a special title.
The one who conferred the title not only received the highest honor of the land but also bore a mission.
The mission to uphold the Order of the Conquerors.
Roman still remembered the words spoken to him by the minister sent by the lord of Black Iron when he was invested in this remote River Valley—"You need to dispatch troops to quell disturbances, pirates, barbarians, evil demons, foreigners, whatever threatens our safety, you go fight."
Damian might or might not remember these words.
For a scheming advisor adept at playing power games, there was no knowing how many words he spoke each day.
But he certainly remembered how he had egregiously demanded a hefty shield tax from Roman last year because of these words.
And now, he had come again.
He stared intently at Roman, praying in his heart that the Lord wouldn't shirk the task.
