The morning sun bathed the lands surrounding Greythorne Manor in a soft, golden glow, casting long shadows across the rolling fields and forests.
Luke stood at the edge of the estate, looking out over the lands his family had governed for generations.
Today was not a day of training or study, but of adventure and learning.
His father decided it was time for Luke to accompany him on a visit to the town that lay just beyond the manor's border.
It was the heart of their domain.
His father wanted him to understand the human element—the faces behind the statistics, the lives they were responsible for.
Cedric, tall and imposing as ever, was already preparing the horses when Luke approached.
Dressed in his dark riding cloak and polished boots, Cedric looked every bit the noble lord of the realm.
His gaze turned to his son, who was also clad in a cloak, though it hung loosely on his small frame.
"Ready, Luke?" Cedric's voice was gruff but not unkind.
"Yes, Father," Luke replied, his voice steady.
He understood the importance of this visit.
It was not just a simple outing.
It was a lesson in leadership, in governance, and in responsibility.
Luke was still very small so Cedric picked him up and set him gently in the front of the saddle.
Cedric then mounted his horse with practiced ease, his posture straight and commanding, sitting right behind his son, holding him tightly so he doesn't fall off.
As they set off down the road that led from the manor to the town, the sound of hooves echoed against the quiet countryside and off the smooth cobblestone pathway.
The path was lined with tall oaks, their leaves beginning to turn shades of gold and red as autumn settled in.
For a while, father and son rode in silence, the crisp morning air filling their lungs.
Luke vibrated with much energy and couldn't wait.
Today was a chance to learn something new.
After a short ride, the town of Oakendale came into view.
The town was modest but well-kept, with thatched-roof cottages and very few market stalls lining the main square.
Smoke also rise from chimneys, and the scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air.
Farmers and craftsmen went about their business, though many stopped and bowed respectfully when they saw Lord Cedric and his son approaching.
As they rode into the square, Cedric slowed his horse and dismounted, reaching for Luke to set him down.
The townspeople gathered in small groups, whispering to one another, their eyes on the young lord and his father.
To them, Lord Cedric was a distant figure—stern and powerful, a lord who kept order and did he best for everyone, but rarely mingled with commoners.
Luke, on the other hand, was an unknown, but his presence was noted with curiosity.
"Stay close, Luke," Cedric said as they began walking through the town.
His voice was low, but there was an edge of caution in it.
"Observe everything. Watch how they live. Look at their homes, their businesses. Listen to the people, but do not make promises lightly. They will expect you to keep them."
Luke nodded, following his father's lead.
His sharp eyes darted from one side of the square to the other, taking in the sights, the sounds, the details.
He noticed the children playing near the well, the blacksmith hammering away at a glowing blade, and the elderly woman tending to her herb stall.
Every person had a role, every role contributed to the whole.
It reminded him of something he couldn't put his finger on, like it was a distant memory.
As they walked, the town elder, a man named Eamon, approached.
Eamon was tall and thin, with graying hair, a wrinkled face, and a deep back bow that spoke of years spent tending the fields.
He bowed deeply to Lord Cedric before addressing him.
"My lord," Eamon said, his voice respectful but firm, "it is an honor to have you and young Lord Luke visit us today."
Cedric nodded curtly.
"Eamon. How do the people fare?"
Eamon glanced around at the town before speaking.
"We are well, my lord, though the harvest this season has been less bountiful than we had hoped. The weather has not been kind, and some of the crops have failed. We've done what we can, but there are concerns about the winter months."
Luke listened intently, his mind already working through possible solutions.
The village relied heavily on its agriculture and what little livestock they had to sustain both its people and its trade with neighboring regions.
A poor harvest meant not only hunger but also a potential decline in revenue for House Greythorne.
Cedric frowned but remained calm.
"I see. We will need to consider how best to support the town through the winter. I'll speak with the steward and my advisor about allocating additional supplies if needed. In the meantime, ensure that every family has what they need. We cannot afford unrest."
"Of course, my lord," Eamon replied.
He hesitated for a moment before turning to Luke.
"And young Lord Luke… it is good to see you here. The people are pleased to meet their future lord."
Luke's eyes sparkled at the thoughtful mind of him being noticed and inclined his head respectfully.
"Thank you, Elder Eamon. I hope to learn about the town and its people."
Eamon smiled kindly.
"You have great manners beyond your years, young lord. If there is anything you wish to know, do not hesitate to ask."
As they continued their walk, Cedric led Luke toward the market stalls, where farmers and craftsmen sold their goods.
The atmosphere was lively, but there was an underlying tension.
Luke could sense it—the way some of the townspeople glanced nervously at their empty coin purses, the quiet murmurs of concern about the coming winter.
At one stall, a farmer was selling vegetables, though his stock looked sparse.
Luke stopped and inspected the produce carefully.
The farmer, a man named Jareth, stood nervously behind the stall.
"Is this all you have for sale?" Luke asked, his tone inquisitive but not unkind.
Jareth nodded, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Aye, my lord. The crops didn't do well this season. It's been tough on all of us. I'm hoping to save enough coin to buy better seeds for next year, but it's been slow."
Luke frowned, thinking.
He glanced at his father, who stood nearby, observing.
Then he turned back to the farmer.
"Where did you plant your crops at?"
Jareth blinked in surprise.
"Well… the soil there isn't what it used to be, young lord, but I planted this crop near a very small plot my family owns near the river. If I just had the seeds that can handle the cold better, ones that grow even in poor conditions. But those are expensive, and most of what I make goes to feeding my family."
Luke's mind slowly turns, piecing together the problem.
He had read about crop rotations and the importance of investing in hardier strains of plants, and other types of agriculture methods but this was different—this was a personal problem for this farmer.
After a moment, Cedric walks up.
"You said over by the river," he asks.
"Y-Yes milord."
Cedric strokes his beard for a moment already formulating a plan in his head.
He looks over at his son, seeing his mind twirl.
"Son."
Luke snaps out of his daze and looks at his father.
"This is the part where we try and help our people best formulate plans to help them prosper."
He kneels down to eye level with Luke.
"I know you've been paying attention, even when we were with the elder. Now, what say you. Do you have an idea of how we could help this farmer and maybe other farmers?"
"Well that's simple Father. He said he had his crop planted near the river, so why not implement an irrigation process."
Cedric's stern look relaxed and then smiled.
"Exactly what I was thinking my son."
Cedric rises and looks at the farmer.
"Well you heard it from us. Do you know how to do an irrigation-"
"But also it could benefit everyone in the town if they also properly managed both what crops they planted and with fertilization."
Cedric's head shoots around to look at the innocent look of his son.
Jareth looked surprised at what answer the young lord gave.
"What do you mean son?"
"I mean certain crops take more nutrients from the ground than others, so when there's another crop placed in the same spot it can't grow properly due to the lack of nutrients, so if you planted a nutrient reviving crop like clover and then let some livestock eat on it and fertilize it, and plant in a different plot, and then rotate this method, you probably could see some improvements in crop quality and growth."
Both Cedric and Jareth are shocked.
Cedric couldn't believe his son gave such an intelligent answer that could boost crop production and quality, and Jareth is blown away that a child could even formulate those kinds of words much less that kind of plan.
Jareth gives out a small awkward laugh.
"You got you a smart one there milord."
Embarrassed, Cedric looks back at Jareth.
"You're right there. Look just implamate an irrigation process into your plot and you should see some improvements. If you have any questions just ask Eamon."
"Thank you, milord. Good day to you."
Cedric guides his son away from the stall.
He's still speechless at his son.
He couldn't behind to wrap his racing mind around what just happened or from what Luke had said, so he decides to push it out of his mind and think on it later.
They continued on as the day wore on and Cedric and Luke visited other parts of the village, speaking with the blacksmith, a few of the guards, and the healer.
Each conversation added to Luke's growing understanding of the responsibilities that came with nobility.
It wasn't just about power—it was about stewardship, about ensuring the well-being of the people who relied on them.
By the time they prepared to return to Greythorne Manor, Luke's mind was buzzing with new thoughts and ideas.
He had seen firsthand the challenges his people faced, and though he was still young, he felt the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders.
As they rode back through the countryside, the sun beginning to set in the distance, Cedric spoke again.
"Today was important, Luke," he said, his voice steady. "You've seen what it means to govern, to truly understand the lives of the people under your care. Being a lord is not just about privilege. It's about responsibility. Never forget that."
"I won't," Luke replied, his voice resolute.
Cedric glanced at his son, his stern expression softening ever so slightly.
"Good. You'll make a fine lord one day. But remember, leadership is a lifelong lesson. Even I am still learning."
Cedric falls back into silence and the sound of horse hooves fill the air.
Luke looked ahead, the manor coming into view once more.
The town had shown him a glimpse of the future, of the challenges that lay ahead for him.
But it had also strengthened his resolve.
...
Selene walks in to her husbands study and sees him discussing something with the advisor.
Cedric is panicked but also mind blown.
"Hello dear, it's getting late, you should be getting in bed."
Selene sees the look in Cedric's eyes.
"Did something happen?"
Cedric takes a breath and sighs.
"Yes, Luke just solved an issue with the crop failures we've been having for the last 2 years."
Selene looks puzzled but concerned.
"How though, he only knows what little he's read from books and surely his tutor hasn't taught him about agriculture much yet."
"According to Percy here, it must've been the gods again, because the methods that Luke suggested just recently got discovered by the royal capital and its local farmers. This information hasn't even spread from there and yet our son not only suggests this, but in greater detail and in method."
"I see."
Selene loses her speech for a moment but snaps back too.
"I will go find a servant to fetch us some tea. I suppose tonight will be a long one."
Cedric smiles slightly.
"Thank you dear. It would be most welcome if you join us, you after all are great at financial budgeting. Percy and I will gladly enjoy the help."
Selene smiles gently and then hurries off to find one of their servants.
Percy turns to Cedric and lays a piece of paperwork on his desk in front of him.
"My Lord, with all that information, here in front of you is a small diagram of plots around Oakendale. With the suggestions of Lord Luke, we could implement this method almost immediately, but that also would require more business with our neighbors for additional livestock, or we could have an agreement, they graze these fields while we enjoy the fertilization at no additional costs."
Cedric strokes his bear slowly as he thinks deeply of what their next move should be...