In the legend of Kozlov my plan is to go with a classic hero. He's an honourable man with strong convictions. He serves his King diligently with out question. He is very strategically minded and gifted as a soldier. He moves up through the ranks very quickly and gains favour with his King.
His grandfather bequeaths a sword to him that has it's own history. He becomes known by the sword and is soon the hero of the kingdom.
The locals all tell very exaggerated tales of his feats and adventures.
We learn from the point of view of his love interest he is not the wonderful hero he thinks he is. He is distraught when she rejects him. He is desperate to prove himself to her, but she is disgusted by his past. She sends him on an impossible quest. His love for her is what drives him in his task.
The first book will deal with the man, Kozlov. The next in this series will deal with the sword, Kozlov.