Gillian didn’t bother lowering his sword as the assassin was brought down. He was busy with other things, his eyes icy daggers on any person coming to close to the iron ring of knights surrounding the princess, the royal guard especially. They were still a potential threat, and the nobles…Some might be genuinely concerned, wanting to comfort the princess after the attack, but he was in no mood to risk that. They could send their letters of deepest sympathies and praises of her bravery later.

Already he was racking his brain, trying to remember who Endril was and his reputation.  A military coup was not out of the question, the Red Flag War was not that long ago. The glory and sacrifice of orders other than the iron knights could have easily been forgotten in favor of hailing the Iron Rose. He could easily see a disgruntled general deciding they deserved better than playing second banana to them, nor could he much blame them. Though, such acts would need a benefactor. No order, not even the Iron Roses, could finance a civil war on their own and Phoren, though mired in public loathing now, was not without those who privately held him in the deepest of sympathies. 

His mind raced with possibilities, the sudden realization he’d likely not return to the outskirts of society anytime soon setting in. He takes a deep breath, calming himself. [i]”No. Take a step back. A Guard-captain letting slip rumor of bandits isn’t in and of itself incriminating. If anything, the princess might have inquired after the news of her own accord.”[/i] He thinks, the hostility in his stance easing up for a moment. This could easily be a play by a neighboring kingdom, demoralizing the population by killing a much beloved prospective ruler. Him assuming there had to be a traitor and pushing for a full blow witch hunt on a hunch could be just as damning for Thaln.

“Speaking of much beloved rulers…” He says, eyes turning on the captain and the stunned princess. “Fanlily. I think it best we have the royal guard clear the party. We’ve a prisoner to interrogate…” He says, watching as Marianne handled the small attacker. Normally he’d be annoyed with her soft heartedness, but right now was an exception. The nem had always…disturbed him. Looked too much like children, and he couldn’t say he’d be much harsher than the electrified knight. “…(nothing that small should be taking a life)…” He grumbles, distracted for a moment. “..and it’ll be easier for us to ensure her highness’s safety with them out of our way. Atleast until her family returns. ” He didn’t clarify if he meant the nobles or the guards.