Like the vast majority of commoners of this age (referred to as lower class by the nobles), Norris had a natural fear of the nobles. Even though the current Viscount Cecil and Gawain, who had only become the new lord recently, were friendly enough, the habits that had accumulated over the decades could not be changed so easily. It took him great effort to finally be able to communicate normally with Heidi, now that Gawain appeared, the farmer could not help but become nervous again.
But besides the nervousness and humbleness in his expression, Gawain saw in Norris' eyes something different from other civilians. At first he did not realize what it was until half a minute later. He did not see the apathetic look on his face that was common among most of the civilians.
He was nervous, timid, humble, reverent, but not apathetic. There was still a lively glimmer in that pair of sunken eye sockets with wrinkles accumulated from all the years of labor.
