Steve Every day I woke up with my beautiful goddess in my arms. If I had known that this was what awaited me, I would have come here eons ago. This life was much harsher, there was nothing easy. The only thing that made this worth it was my mate! Every day I would start off working in the fields. Things were getting ready for the planting season. Each of us was given a task which was to be completed. I was quick to realize who were not the slaves and who were gifted with a green thumb, as I like to say. I must have been a farmer in a past life, I had the gift! This was hard work but I loved it. I mentioned several times to Anatu how I would love to tend to a sizable plot of land and be a farmer. Living in the city, I never once thought I was good enough to be a farmer. Yet here I had been proven wrong. I was pleasantly surprised at how efficient I was at all the tasks the Lord here gave me. So much so that I found myself waking up early, getting to the sight as the light started to hit the land. I love the silence that surrounds me. Thinking ahead, I started to do the tasks that I knew the Lord would hand out to us workers and serfs. I had to lower my head and chuckle! Recalling the day the Lord came to the group of us. The lord noticed how efficient we had been. Then he announced that the workload had been increased and each of us would have to do more. Hard work … I never shied away from it, I saw it as a challenge that I was ready to accept! I should have known the day would come when Anatu’s father would visit the field. Though he was interested in the progress that the workers were making … her father also wanted to know what I had been doing. The conversation was not quiet nor was it private so each of the workers could hear while we worked away. My speed slowed down so that I could concentrate a little more on what was being spoken. Only to find out that the Lord of the land was more than pleased with my work ethic. Anatu’s father then told the Lord to train me to take over a plot of land that he expected me to govern. This news only made me want to work harder … faster, with more accuracy. That day I spent no time getting home. I found Anatu bouncing on the heel of her feet. “I have excellent news!” Anatu said with joy, “Father is giving us a small terrain of our own to govern.” It appeared that her father had spoken with her before I could tell her. This was her father’s wedding present to us. And since I refused to collect her dowry, that money was to be our start up for a house to be built. She told me that there is a lot more to governing land than just farming. I had only wished for a small plot of land to work on, instead we were given a lot more. We would have to collect gold, as the currency, from those who resided in the terrain. If gold was not available, other supplies would be accepted. For farms that produced food, a percentage would be given. For those that had livestock, a percentage of their animals would be given. Anatu continued to tell me that governing would not be much of an issue. All her life she was raised to take over such a position. Though her education was not as extensive as mine will be. It is very similar in ways. With this news, I had to sit down. I had never been allowed to see what my full potential could be. I always had the door slammed in my face. So that Anatu could understand where I was coming from, I explained my childhood to her, the teenage years leading up to now. It was not the fact that I would not work hard each and every day. I was scared that I would prove my father right and I would be a failure. I did not believe that I was suited to govern a terrain. If I had failed, it would not only affect me but several others as well. I was hyper aware of the fact that many would depend on me to govern and do what is right for all. Anatu sat in my lap, cuddling into my embrace, “that is why I will be with you as well!” She softly kissed my lips. “I know how my father rules! I know when it is time to show compassion and when I can not show favouritism! My mother and father have raised me properly … we will do better than fine!” With all of this going on I still was expected to attend training with the hunters. I was not given the full training as the others had. I was given the basics like Kudiya. I was in the beginning of my training so for every four shifts working in the farmer's field, I was to do a session at the fighting pit. I much preferred hand to hand combat, I could move more fluently. It was Hassun that told me I would be learning how to defend myself with a weapon. I agreed with his logic, not all attacks would be without a weapon. Nine out of ten times my attacker would have a weapon of some sort. I had been given time to think about what weapon I would want to use. Two thoughts came to mind. A dagger! When I was around the house, I did not think I would have a sword strapped to me at all times. It did not seem practical, though a dagger was lighter and accessible. This weapon could also be taken with me while I travel the land. In my mind, I pictured myself working with the land. I figured there would be paperwork and meetings that I would have to do. Yet I saw myself in the field working when possible. I wanted to learn how to utilize the tools that I had as a means of protection. When I told Hassun this, the hunters laughed at me. Thinking it pathetic, the choices I had made. I was pleased when Hassun shut them up. He understood the logic behind my responses. Telling the group that a wise man will use anything at hand to protect and defend what the Master owns. He continued to tell everyone that many times an attacker will get us when we least expect it. If our weapon is not in reach we need to use what we have, and if it is only a stick … well it will not stand up to mettle but it still can be a tool that causes damage if the fighter is skilled enough. I had my wife … a path that I can hold my head high. Now we had to wait for our home to be built!