"There is going to be chaos ahead. I am happy to get out of the castle." If she was happy, she had a funny way of showing it. Her expression was without any mirth or joy, her hands at her sides like she had no life in her, just staring at him intently for a moment. Then, parting her lips, she was silent for several seconds  before finishing.<br/><br/>"Come outside with me." After saying that, as cold as ever, she walked away towards the fortifications. At the court-yard, it seemed there were at least fourty soldiers preparing for something, weapons ready and in full chainmails and a few in breastplates. He could even notice a trio of<em>Champions</em>, Mercenaries that boasted a fair amount of skill but were also commonly arrested in the past for beating people up at slightest insult on their honor.<br/><br/><hr/><hr/><br/>As Gabriel entered the castle, he was greeted by the sight of three protectors. Two of them looked new, but the third one he remembered. Mainly because she had just been mentioned earlier. Satel 'the Destroyer's Daughter' was standing there with a proud smirk on her face, ordering the two younger protectors to form. A man and a woman, the<em>second</em>female protector then. Raising them from one to two then.<br/><br/>"You will not hesitate on entry, your task is to make sure nobody escapes. Any that surrender are to be knocked out immediately, any that resist are to be put to the sword." The red-haired woman shouted her commands and then paused to regard Gabriel with a cool look. "Knight." She nod annoyedly. She had tried to apply for a place among the knights in the past,  but had been considered vicious and her motives not always for the best of the kingdom either.<br/><br/>"You actually did some good. The prisoners you brought let us locate at least one of the rebels safehouses. They wont know what hit em." She grinned and then looked at the protectors. "Saddle up, you prove yourselves now, I'll take you to a brothel when this is over!" She laughed and gestured the two to follow.<br/><br/>As they did, the younger female protector, a somewhat mousey-seeming girl with brown hair and eyes, cast a look at Gabriel with a bit of blush at her face at the mention of a 'knight' but followed Satel.<br/><br/><hr/><hr/><br/>The king was seated on his throne as Gabriel entered the throne room, looking to be deep in thought before Gabriel came closer.<strong>"We have leads."</strong>He said sternly.<strong>"The problem is that the news of the noble's arrest got out far too quickly. Someone told about it right away, rather than letting us have it secret who was captive. Not that many knew."</strong>He looked at least a little furious about this.<strong>"I want to have Lady Shadecliff arrested too, but that's just my anger. Even if it was her, which I cant prove, she would be a stupid daughter panicking about her father. BAH!"</strong>He slammed his fist against the seat's armrest.<br/><br/><strong>"The Protectors are going to invade a safe-house which's location we acquired from the nobleman's living companion. He was most talkative, thankfully, after being offered a kinder treatment for revealing the traitors."</strong>Something about the king's smirk seemed a bit odd.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">OOC Sense Motive</div><div class="spoiler_body">Feel free to roll sense motive with a +5 for familiarity with the prince. Better the roll, better the insight.</div></div><br/><strong>Now, we also got some other news. One of the barons decided that with all this going on, they are holding onto the taxes until the situation calms, and I quote the letter, <em>due to the uncertainty that the gold would beb safely delivered to the rightful king.</em> What other kind of king is there? Might makes right!</strong>He growled.<strong>"I want him to hand over the gold, and if he resists I want him arrested. However, its his <em>town</em> so you would have to be very careful about this if you set out. Its three days ride away too, so it may be a week before you return if you go."</strong>The king smirked.<br/><br/><strong>"Yes, I said *if* you go. Lady Luna is being sent, but I would like you next to her, <em>but</em> since I need capable men here too,  have another task you might take up."</strong><br/><br/>The king reached aside to lift up a map of the town, with a circle drawn into it by red ink at the old quarter, the slums of the town.<strong>"The Court Wizard has used magic to try and track the source of a few notes that have spread around town, spreading this rumor of a second heir. We might have found a second nest of rebels, and also a chance to get some answers about this <em>fake heir</em> rumor. I want to confirm its falsehood and bring to trial those that sully my father's name."</strong><br/><br/>The young prince frowned though.<strong>"This area is several blocks wide however, and if they realize they are being searched for, they may run and hide. I need a few <em>capable</em> men that wont draw attention by numbers, and are still able to strike fear into the hearts of the kingdom's enemies once they are found."</strong><br/><br/>He waited to her Gabriel speak, finally.