"You sent some of your people up to our place a while ago. I destroyed them with this." He jerked his head downward at the barrel of the weapon.
"Brought it along with me when I came down here. It's quite capable of taking you apart, I assure you." He moved a hand on the stock.
"And if you attempt any more of that unlawful coercion," he added, "that's just what will happen. I'll protect my claimant, you see."
He tilted his head, to indicate the other clan wardens.
"These men know what is supposed to be done here as well as you and I," he added. "We all know this is a purely formal meeting. The validity of these documents has already been determined."
"As Prime Minister, I——"
"It is no part of your duty here to rule on the validity of any document," Michaels interrupted. "And it certainly isn't proper to attempt in any manner to persuade a claimant to abandon his claim. Not here. These things are proper only before the full conclave."
"Are you trying to tell me my duties?" Stern looked incredulous. This was not going well at all!
"I am doing just that," Don told him evenly. "Apparently someone has to." He glanced around the room.
"Are there any other claimants present?"