It wasn't the gargantuan size of his chest that was the most intimidating, his imposing stature which stood two heads above my own, nor the writhing and coiling back that had to come in through the door sideways. Although these were certainly being used as a statement, they were after all why he had 'really' decided to come into the room bareback, despite "the heat" being used as an excuse. No, it was the fact the he had decided to enter alone and unarmed a room full of armed men ready to negotiate tribute, it was a way for him of saying 'you are no threat to me and I know it.'
Although, for a lack of arms his own where quite impressive. Unflexed, as thick as my own neck and, despite this, every single muscle seemed defined and independent in the impressive interlocking mechanism of power that descended from his shoulders. Last I had seen him, he had been armoured and afar, where I had watched almost two dozen men fall under his feet. Now I was the one standing closest to him and I had just caught myself granting admiration to my enemy's body. I closed my mouth and tried to look menacing.
Hrólfr was losing his patience "we just can't pay you that amount," stated His Majesty King Charles. At this the Viking slammed his fist into the wall with a force that made the room shake. We drew our weapons, but we took a while. A small, imperceptible while longer than usual. I side-eyed his majesty, half questioning, half begging. He returned a quick look in understanding.
-Please, we do not want more bloodshed than there has been for the last few days. We can certainly promise to pay you the amount you solicit, but just give us some time.
-And what assurances can I get that you'll honour your word?- Or that's how I interpreted his broken Frankish.
-Well...as a token of our good faith we can safely say that we will not interfere if you choose to go upstream and raid the lands to the south...
