[littlemanpoet]

"I - I will answer your question, lord. Faramund is not like his father. I do not know what makes him bitter, for lord Friduhelm has always been of a great heart. I do my duty by lord Faramund, for that is right, even when he does wrongly.

"But I have not said all that could be said, lord, if you will pardon me. You will find in this ledger much to show that my lord takes and does not give without price. He is a grasping man, and he drives a hard bargain, especially with those who have little to bargain with.

"Take Wiglaf, for example. He fell upon hard times for his lands dried and a poor crop came up, not enough to feed him and his family and stock. He came to Faramund seeking help. Faramund gave it, but for a price. Wiglaf's stock were to be his bond against failure to pay. Faramund gave him the grain he needed to survive, but Wiglaf has not been able to pay. So Faramund takes the bond.

"So you see, Faramund does nothing against the law, but his justice is cruel and has no mercy in it. Soon these free farmers will find themselves his chattel. I - I hope I have spoken enough for you to understand how it is here. I fear I may have said too much.

"These other lords, these friends of his, I don't think lord Faramund came by these ways on his own. I think he was taught them."