Chapter 382: The Promise of The New Lord
The air was thick with tension as Lyan and Althea entered the meeting hall of Norhallow. The room was small, but it was crowded, filled with the community leaders of the town—men and women who looked worn out, their eyes filled with uncertainty and suspicion. They had been called to meet the new rulers, and though their expressions varied, the skepticism was clear in every one of their faces. A few lanterns hung from the beams, casting dim light that barely cut through the gloom.
Lyan could feel the weight of their stares, the skepticism that clung to the air like a thick fog. He exchanged a brief glance with Althea, who nodded slightly, her eyes reassuring. It was his cue. Lyan stepped forward, clearing his throat.
"Thank you all for coming," he began, his voice calm but firm. He let his gaze move across the room, meeting as many eyes as he could. "I know you’ve been through a lot. I won’t deny that Norhallow has suffered under its previous rule. My goal here is simple—to help fix what has been broken and to make sure that you, the people, get what you deserve."
There was silence for a moment, and then a man with graying hair stepped forward. He had a sharp face and wore a simple brown tunic. His eyes were filled with doubt as he spoke. "We’ve heard promises before. Promises of help, of change. But look around, nothing has changed. We have barely enough food to last through the next month, and winter is on its way. What will make your rule any different from Hektor’s?"
Lyan nodded, understanding the frustration in the man’s voice. "You are right to be skeptical. Lord Hektor’s greed has drained this city, leaving it on the brink of collapse. But I’m not here to make empty promises. I am here to listen, to understand, and to take action. Food, governance, and justice—these are the things I aim to bring back to Norhallow."
The room remained silent, though there was a slight shift in the atmosphere. The leaders looked at each other, their expressions still cautious, but now tinged with a glimmer of hope. A woman with tired eyes, wearing a worn shawl over her shoulders, raised her hand. "The granaries are empty, my lord. Many of us are starving, and the last harvest was taken by Hektor’s men. How do you intend to feed us?"
Lyan took a deep breath, letting the seriousness of the question settle over him. "We’ve already begun the process of bringing supplies from neighboring towns. The food that was hoarded by Hektor will be distributed to the people. But more importantly, we will be changing how this city is governed. Resources will be managed by people who actually care about the well-being of Norhallow, and not just their own gain."
The woman nodded, though the worry in her eyes didn’t completely vanish. "And what about the guards? They were Hektor’s men. They have terrorized us for years, and they still wear the same uniforms. How do we know we can trust them now?"
Lyan paused for a moment, considering her words. He could hear the murmurs from the others, the same concerns being voiced quietly among them. "The guards who served under Hektor—those who abused their power—will be dealt with. Only those who are willing to protect and serve the people will remain. And I intend to personally see that those who exploited you are brought to justice."