You openly defied me in front of the others. I can’t reward that. In fact—he glanced at each of the other guards in turn—I will need to lock you up, just like the dragon. The other guards advanced on the first guard, who shot straight up and pulled his sword and held it up in front of him for defense.
It was no use, however. The other guards moved as one unit and surrounded him. Hands reached out and grasped his arm and made him drop the sword. Two other guards restrained him and hustled him away out the door.
It was a quick and decisive turn of events. The king had reestablished his dominance, and regained the loyalty of his guards. Three of them remained behind with the king. They stood near him, silent sentries, obviously ready to do his bidding.
The king turned back to Assa and put
