Discpline in the Ranks

You sit quietly on your study for a few minutes before reaching for a bell and ring it. A moment later a side door to your study and one of your servants comes in to the room.

Bowing he says "You rang for me milord."

"Yes summon corporal Jenner and tell him to bring the three miscreants he found." You order.

"At once Sire." Your servant replies and bowing again leaves your presence.

"I need to be wary of my guards as Akina had advised." You muse, truer words never spoken.

Some of the oldest and stoutest men who served your family like Jenner could be trusted, but many of the newest guards don't have the personal loyalty like the men who had watched you grow up. You need to get their attention, then there respect, and loyalty should follow as your father taught you.

You go back to reading your book on trade, puzzling out the various laws and traditions dealing with the capital city when eventually there is a knock on your study door.

"Yes!" You bark.

"It's Corporal Jenner Sire." You hear through the door.

"Enter." You order.

Your study door opens and in comes Jenner and three young men none older than yourself. Jenner looks suitably grim while his three charges are alternately looking bored to frightened. Jenner followed by the three guardsmen all go down on their knee. You study the men for a several long seconds and then put down your book and quietly order them to rise.

Why can't all my men be like Jenner? Your father had said more than once over the years. He was everything a royal guardsmen should be loyal, good at his job, and unambitious. You even remember a time, what was it, ten years ago when Jenner foiled an **** plot he turned down a promotion and an offer of land.

"So Jenner, tell me about these three." You order.

Jenner nods, "Sire these are Privates Emil, Frost, and Mandrake. They are sturdy fighters who have all joined the **** in the last three years."

"Frost!" You bark, and the second guard, a tall strong looking red head pops to attention and replies, "Yes your majesty."

"What is your job?" You ask, and dangerous tone in your voice.

Frost swallows and says "Our primary job is to Guard your person both in the castle and in battle. Followed by that your ministers nobles at court and the rest of the household." He finishes.

"And does guarding the household mean assaulting its chambermaids," You growl.

Frost wisely falls to his knees "Sire must humbly beg for your forgiveness, I really don't know what came over me."

While Private frost was trying to apologize you found yourself looking at the angry look pasted to the third man's face. Stalking over to him you ask "Private mandrake do you have something to add."

"Sire did that whore come......" Mandrake said, only to be cut off by your fist to his jaw followed by you shouting "Silence."

Shaking with rage, you stare down at the stunned Private Mandrake, the desire to rip out the man tongue coursing through your veins. Crouching down you trust out an arm grasping Mandrake's throat and he starts to gurgle.

"Her name is Sarah, she is not a whore, she is my mistress, and I don't share!" You say staring into Mandrakes eyes as you strangle the man. Mandrakes face gets redder and redder as he struggles against your grip needing air.

Dimly you hear steady Jenner ask "Sire, do you really wish to do this."

His words cut through your rage, no Sarah may have come recently to your bed but she would not take to you murdering a man for her. Standing you let go of mandrakes throat at sit back down in your chair as the man gasps. For several minutes you sit there even taking a few sips of wine as you fight a internal battle getting yourself back under control.

Once more calm you look at the three guards now back on their feet "All three of you have failed to guard this household, had Jenner not happened upon you how far would your **** upon our chambermaid have gone."

"Please Sire," they say and you raise your had silencing them.

"We are not unmerciful Frost, and Emil you will have 30 days of no pay and report to stable master Bennet he needs some help with the Cavalry horses."

"Yes Sire" they reply relieved.

"Mandrake you need to learn discipline, we are sending you to Rosecrans Keep, according to the lord martial the Dragonkin are being more active and he needs the men."

"Yes" Mandrake gasps.

With that you wave your hand dismissing your men. You see Jenner is hesitant as if he wants to say something.