Louis le Germanique spoke first, "Even when the emperor lived, I was the one who held the eastern marches against the Northmen. I was the one who kept the dukes in line while he chased glory in the south. My kingdom is the strongest, my knights the most numerous, my banners the most feared. The crown is mine by right of of strength."
Robert of Neustria shifted in his chair, his scarred face twisting. "We all bled for him. We all paid in gold and men. Don't stand there pretending you're the only one who matters."
Louis turned slowly, "And there it was the voice of a man who still dreams of the old divisions. You forget, Robert, that when the Northmen raided your coasts last year it was my knights who rode to your rescue. My two thousand riders. You call that nothing? Apparently fear has made you bold enough to speak against the only man who can actually protect this realm."
