The warrior champion lay dead at the bottom of the steps, and the king's guard had bene reduced from a hundred at the castle with the tasks elsewhere to mere thirty before that attack, perhaps, and now further down to just six. The guards surrounded the king, many of them ragged and beaten, but still able to stand up and fight at least. They stood by the King's side, remaining to guard him, after the killed and defeated mage were dragged to the castle's dungeon below.<br/><br/>There, another unpleasant sight awaited. All the cages and cells had been opened. Anyone that had ever rebelled against hte king and lived was out, as were several other prisoners. The guards had a separate jail further off for the truly dangerous criminals, but those believed to be a threat to the crown traditionally rested at the most guarded place, the castle itself. Now, they were loose.<br/><br/>The ride to the meeting was silent alongside the roguish champion, the tavern beaten up and weathered, but silent still. So far, there was no signs of anyone arriving.