Cullen had awoken with the sun and was assessing the security of the Red Keep. The guards at the main entrance were on edge as they should. They were the first line of denfense for the King. It was the inner patrols he had a problem with, the men looked lazy, relaxed, apparently they believed their posts to be unnecessary as they took their patrols as seriously as an afternoon stroll. This would have to change and fast. [color=0054a6][b]"Guards! What in seven hells do you think you are doing?!"[/b][/color], Cullen barked at a couple of guards on patrol by the gardens. They stood up in attention with haste, anyone with the gall to speak to them in that manner had to be of importance. [b]"W-We were just on patrol, sire"[/b], one of the guards replied with a nervous look about him as he stared straight forward not daring to make eye contact. [color=0054a6][b]"You mean to tell me that that white excuse for a patrol was your average day of duty? If the two of you had as much discipline as you had energy to gossip then all of King's Landing could be guarded by you two alone!"[/b][/color]

[b]"Apologies, mi'lord we did not mean-"[/b]

[color=0054a6][b]"Oh so you did not deliberately mean to ignore your duties, you were just too incompetent to stay on task!"[/b][/color], it appeared to Cullen he'd have to train these two all over again. [color=0054a6][b]"Your spears should not lean on your shoulder, they either are straight up or tilted forward to quickly meet an opponent. Your shield can never be hanging by your side it must always be in front of you to reduce the time it takes to bring it up to defend. When patrolling the two of you must constantly be checking the edges of your vision, you will see a direct attack but it is the ones from behind and the sides that will mean your end if not careful...well? Get to it!"[/b][/color]

The guards quickly corrected their errors and waited for Cullen's approval, once they had it the two guards quickly headed off, hoping to put as much space between themselves and The Dread Wolf. [i]"...southerners"[/i], Cullen remarked before a courier came forward with a message. [b]"Sire, Lord Stark requires your presence. He awaits at the King's chamber"[/b]

[color=0054a6][b]"I'll head there now"[/b][/color], Cullen didn't waste time getting to the King's chamber. Once there he met John outside the door and nodded before saying, [color=0054a6][b]"You sent for me, my Lord?"[/b][/color]