Sheb had spent a terrible night. After his adventure of the day before, Captain Vilshmick had him clean and grease all of the squadron's already shining saddles as a punishment. As he was getting ready to sleep, a messenger brought him a message from Tala.
To Sheb Secondnamehere
I am disheartened to hear the accomodations were not to your liking. Next time Vespius will arrange for you to be more permanently inconvenienced-perhaps a suite for one, located six feet underground in a pine box?
Also, manacles are quite an inappropriate gift. Are they not intended for at least two people to use? One to put them on...one to wear them? Surely, I can find someone to accomodate my own urge to be restrained like a wild beast. Do you have any suggestions?
Not your friend, Tala Alanis
He for one would volunteer for that kind of duty. The only tough of Tala restrained "like a wild beast" send blood surging to his groin, but apparently it was not the time to indulge into fantasies. A few dozens meters away, the Queen, stepping out of her quarter started shouting. She ordered an attack on the city from the whole army. However, before any of the messenger departed to bring the news to the other regiment's commander, Marshal Nikephoros, rushing from his own quarter his facer ed with rage started shouting back.
"SOLDIERS! STAY WHERE YOU ARE! PREPARE TO DEFEND YOUR POSITIONS!"
He then turned back to his tent, leaving a confused mess behind him. To Sheb however, things were only too clear. The tales of the Queen being injured in the fight with the Arctic Fox were fake, he knew as much from yesterday ride. Now, the Marshal had refused her order. Sheb wasn't sure because of the distance, but he tough the Marshal had gone so far as to call her a brat, and order Sir Thunderblade to detain her. It didn't take a genius to connect the dots: the marshal and Sir Thunderblade were effectively engaged in a palace coup, betraying their Queen.
He wouldn't allow it. Climbing on a barrel of his own, he started shouting to his fellow soldiers.
"Friends! The Queen is detained! Vandire and Thunderblade are lying to you, for the Queen is well. They are keeping her out to take the Throne for themselves! We are the Royal Guard, we swore our oaths to the Queen. It is our duty to defend her!"
Sheb will gather as many of his friends from the squadron and the rest of the regiment as he can, and demand that the Queen be released and her orders obeyed.