[@Ryuzaki]

Would it be acceptable for our characters to bring small contingents of men with them to the capital, or is that a taboo/would that be considered suspicious?

Roland is very much the kind of person that would want to bring a small group of knights and men-at-arms with him, as much for security on the road to the capital as to make a show of power and prestige in front of the other Councillors and to impress the young king with fancy men in shiny armor.

Oh, and does the capital have a name (yet)? What sort of place is it? I'm just curious.