"My only virtue is in my sword. It defends the empire, but first, it will defend my family," angrily Michalis stood up, and Alexios did the same. Out of the corner of his eye, the youngest Dalasseno assessed the shocked, hostile, calculating looks in the merchant's room. There was only a slight moment before both men drew their swords. Lex was pulled back by the merchant's hand.
The area around the two warring men cleared in a flash. The hostility between Doukas and Michalis was clear, but there were several other conflicting parties in that small space. Generals, opportunists and loyal fellows, calculating losses and profits quickly.
When the two swords clashed in the air, Lex felt the seething and voracious presence of Death, prowling and waiting for its turn to feast.