Partnership of a More Intimate Nature

The air between them crackled with tension, the soldiers from both sides eyeing each other warily, aware that the confrontation could escalate at any moment.

Vicar's smirk faded slightly, replaced by a calculating look as he measured Ragnar's resolve.

"This is not merely about territorial rights, Ragnar. It's about ensuring stability and safety within our borders, and sometimes, that necessitates actions that might seem... intrusive," Vicar explained, attempting to justify his presence and actions in a tone that suggested reason but carried an underlying threat.

Ragnar, unswayed and visibly irked by Vicar's audacity, stood firm, his voice booming across the courtyard.