So are all wars fights to the death? I've been involved in a couple now, and have never been able to conclude a truce with anyone. They always want to fight a bit longer "for honor" or whatever. Alban for example, after every single battle and every town and fort I took I sent an emissary asking for peace (Solveig, persuasion 9) and every time they turned me down, even when they only had one fort left.
Also is the "I want to make peace" dialog when talking to an enemy lord supposed to actually do anything? I never get any response other than "trip on your sword". Is this just a pointless dialog topic?