Ithacles stared the pikemen down until they were back around the corner. He didn't know why they had evoked such a reaction from him, simply doing their jobs. Perhaps they were a constant reminder of his station. Any other Captain would have been allowed it slug it out. He pulled his eyes over to Vedette. No other Captain would have a nanny...
He smoothed Skandra's collar with the swipe of a hand, as close as he could get right then to an apology. When Alvon appeared Ithacles did the best to straighten his posture, but with a banged knee all he wanted to was sit down. And maybe throw up.
"I don't want anyone's life," he told the old warrior. "I want to hear evidence. I'll not tolerate slander, especially not of the dead. Princess Lethe did you no service today."
He reached down and grabbed the man's elbow and helped him to his feet. Ithacles was tired of people kneeling.