Henry's voice was deep, laced with an undeniable authority. "You crossed my line. You invaded my fief. You thought this was just a forced levy, a test, but in my eyes, it was a declaration of war."
A flash of regret crossed Baron Sura's eyes. 'Why did I have to be the one to step forward?'
"I... I wanted..." Baron Sura's voice trembled. He tried to explain, but his words were feeble under Henry's oppressive presence.
"You wanted to disrupt my progress. Unfortunately for you, you picked a fight with the wrong person. I won't occupy your fief, so the emperor will have no reason to blame me."
Baron Sura fell silent. He knew Henry was telling the truth. According to the Empire's laws, conflict between nobles was permitted, but it had to adhere to certain rules.
Henry rose and walked out of the earthen fort to look over the battlefield. His soldiers had already begun clearing the field and tending to the wounded.
