"Leave?!" Rudolf roared, pointing an accusing finger at the Norseman. "What the fucking hell do you mean, leave? Our deal was very explicit. You swore to remain in my castle as a mandatory guest of honor. You are my hostage!"
"Damnit, Rudolf, don't be a baby." Hakon laughed. "The Franks are gone. They won't dare march on your walls again until the Emperor builds bigger guns, and that will take him months."
"A deal is a deal!" Rudolf argued stubbornly, gripping the hilt of his sword.
"I am leaving you the cannons, the single-shot muskets, and the ships to guard the river," Hakon stated firmly, dropping the playful tone for just a second to show he wasn't asking for permission. "And more importantly, I am leaving you my best engineers."
