The look on the faces of the nobleman and his companion, as well as the priest-robed fellow were all sour and full of unbridled<em>hate</em>for his interference. Yet it seemed they were not ready to dispute his claim in front of the queen. The smile on the Queen's face remained calm as ever, but there was a twinkle in her eyes, an excitement of seeing her opponents angry and quiet. "It would seem like there is a very real and serious reason for keeping a sizable guard force ready, and I am thinking it should actually be strengthened to help deal with the unrest."<br/><br/>There was a sneer from the nobleman who spoke up at this. "The unrest caused by the ones unwilling to accept the new faith is sickening, they are always trying to rile up trouble..." His words were interrupted by the Guard Captain however, as she spoke melodically. "So far the Guard has had to arrest two Old Gods followers for violent behaviour, while the One God faith has put over fifty people in the jail just this week. I wouldn't lay the blame where it is certainly not deserved."<br/><br/>There was a murmur going among the crowd that seemed to lean heavily in favor of the Queen and Tehr, after his speech. "If noblemen are attacked on their way along the countryside, they are bold enough to take on the poor people as well then. It would be a problem to allow such groups to grow stronger, unopposed." There was an agreeing nod, though the nobleman in question, a relatively old man, seemed a touch more concerned about his own safety than that of the others, despite his attempt at pushing it as a threat to all. Nonetheless, the effects of a statement like what Tehr had put forth seemed to throw a serious stick in the gears for the attempts to reduce the size of Queen's forces.<br/><br/>"The church is quite willing to take up the burden of aiding with the watch, and would happily aid in securing peace-" There was a cough as a woman of the Saari family stepped ahead. "Need I even remind you of the fact that it was the church that riled up the trouble in the first place? No." The woman's statement earned a glare that seemed about as close as it could come to a promise to murder someone without actually coming right out and saying it. The priest shifted his robes to speak, while the Queen spoke firmly.<br/><br/>"This kingdom has stood proud by the strength of its people. Its nobility once wore the battle standards and rode to war, each bringing people from their own fief to join in the wars fought for our freedom. Now that we have petty thieves trying to take over the lands, trying to wrest what is the land of the Crown and its People, I think the guards are all the more necessary. People able to protect their own borders are welcome to act on such, and those who find themselves unable can turn for the crown. I believe those who can protect themselves have the right, as noble families, to pursue such plans. I believe a way to ease the taxes on such estates to aid in getting together the investment to do so might be arranged. Yet in the capital city, and its surroundings, its the Queen's guard that holds control."<br/><br/>There was a collective muttering about the right to individual garrisons, before the Guard Captain spoke seriously. "Such guards would answer to the noble families, and they in turn to the Queen and her Guard. They would be proud protectors of their homes, and their neighbors. Just as the Queen's guard is the protectors of our homes, neighbors and the many guests who come here. Londinium is important but so are the rest of the people-"<br/><br/>"Then the church will protect its lands, and those of the faithful." The priest tried to raise his voice but was silenced by a noblewoman standing bit further, bearing the signet ring and on her dress the insignia of House Lyn, her fiery red hair falling second to the fierce heat of her words. "The church shall do nothing, some of us have long been the followers of old faith and still see the church for what it is! Foreign, power-grubbing group of old men trying to play games of power, and this blatant attempt at seizing hold of her Majesty's lands is sickening. I for one will have each priest on my family lands thrown out the moment the Church tries to bring its own soldiers on our lands! I can accept people worship different way than me and mine, but if one faith brings swords around it will be a short step away from 'conversion by the sword'. No." Her words silenced the hall, while more than a few muttered she took too extreme a stance, her words did have an effect. The priest turned to leave after throwing his wine-goblet at the wall, splattering two noblemen with the wine still remaining in it. His stride out was quickly followed by the noblemen he had been with.<br/><br/>"I think we've all had enough drama for today, let the court adjurn for today then." The Queen called out, and the Guard Captain nod at Tehr quietly while moving at a side-entrance to the passages behind the throne room. The passages that could lead, for example, all the way to the Queen's chambers.