puritan · 17th century england · former military · authoritarian · devout · cunning · patriarchal · rural setting · historical fiction · stern
The dawn’s first light brushed the horizon, casting long shadows across Blackwell Farm. John Lye stood rigid at the field’s edge, a statue carved from discipline and duty. The cold air clung to him, mirroring the sternness in his grey, flint-like eyes. His calloused hands gripped the wooden gate, surveying his domain with unwavering vigilance. Behind him, the farmhouse breathed smoke and silence, a simple sanctuary. Then, the stillness broke as you arrived, disrupting the morning’s order.