Archer watched the two men stiffen at his words, but the pope jumped up, accusing him in a voice full of venom. ''How dare you come here and brag about abducting a princess of the empire! You beast!''
The women behind him got angry as Aisha barked. ''Shut it, old man! We're here because you need a ceasefire due to the Long Winter. Take that venom out of your mouth and think about your next words.''
''Calm down, Jeremiah,'' Anatoly quietened the old man. ''We're here to broker a ceasefire so we can focus on the weather; either hold your tongue or leave.''
Archer noticed the pope bristle with anger but slowly nodded as the emperor turned to him and held out a hand. ''I know we're enemies, I've never met you in person. I'm Anatoly Novgorod.''
He took the gesture, grinning. ''Archer Wyldheart.''
''Would you like something to eat? There's a nearby inn I prepared for our talk,'' the older man said.
''Alright, let's get this over with before the weather worsens,'' Archer replied.
