The looked at Cain as if he had suddenly sprouted an extra head, though none of them backed away.  Neither did any of them venture forward, and as he approached, those still serving as defenders instead of going to aid the injured watched him warily.  Hands tightened on weapons.  None of them were sure what to make of the assassin.  Reggie was clearly reluctant to step close enough to take the blade from the dark-clad man, and could only answer Cain’s question with a shrug.

“Reserve, stand down.”  The rough lines of guards parted to let a tall man through.  He was clean-shaven, his dark hair touched with gray, and his uniform had the markings of a colonel.  He spoke with the calm authority of one used to command.  “ Those currently on duty, I want teams to run a full sweep.  The first reserve division is to remain on standby.  Everyone else, see to your secondary assignments, but keep your blades nearby until the bells say otherwise.  Go.”  As the guards split up and moved off, the colonel turned to look at Cain.  “Impressive.  I understand why they speak of the Obsidian Dragon as they do.”  His dark eyes glittered.  The assassin was there on royal writ, but things were rarely as simple as they appeared.  “Interesting that they sent you here.  I wonder if the Crown expected trouble.”  She a sudden shift in his manner the businesslike soldier turned into a man that seemed like he’d be more at home in a bar than on the field.  “Colonel Charlie Reese.  You’re looking for Amuné?  You mean the slip of a girl that likes to hang around the Connor boys?  I know her.  Heard she kept checking on you over the past few days.  I guess they chose the right man for the job.”  Charlie didn’t know many details, but he’d heard enough that he’d made a few guesses as to what was going on.  However the only answer he had to offer Cain would know was incorrect.  “She should be at the main hall, what with dinner not being over yet.  In emergencies, they split between dining hall and auditorium.   You’ll have to ask staff which dorm is hers and where they’re assigned, but that’s who she’ll be with.”  He gave a brisk nod and turned to deal with an approaching guard.