A heavy silence descended upon the hall, suffocating and sharp, until Ragnar finally offered a slow, deliberate nod.
"You have made a valid point, Valerius," Ragnar said, his tone shifting from threat to diplomatic. "Truthfully, there is no reason to start a war with the people of Björn."
"I will be forthright with you," Ragnar continued, his voice echoing against the cold stone of the hall. "Beyond the necessity of reclaiming our stolen artifact, I seek justice. I seek vengeance for the death of my father and for the countless souls lost in the war, including the children of all sitting here today."
He let the weight of that statement settle over the council before leaning forward, his eyes hardening. "But most importantly, this concerns the future of our kingdom and our standing on the northern continent. I have recently come across some deeply disturbing news."
