I stood and took Cleo's hand, leading her out into the courtyard.

"Before you stands your father's court guards. Which were the ones who would help you?" Cleo realized the trap, and stood mute.

Signaling my own guards, they advanced on the others and slew them by sword, to a man. Then they set to work stacking the bodies and setting them aflame, a gory funeral pyre.

"Now they will not be a threat to my rule." I turned to the entrance to the courtyard, indicating an approaching wagon with a cage on the back. Within were Tama and Jing.

"I promised to put them on a ship and allow them to leave with no further harm, even to send along a physician to help them heal. No mention was made that the ship would not return directly to this port, or that i would not bring them back into the castle for more... interrogation. As i will you, Cleo." With that, I seized her arm and handed her over to The Ox, who had appeared behind us directly according to plan.

"Ox, this woman and her parents are all that is left of the invading army. We must not allow danger to the kingdom again. Take them to your dungeon, and get back to work on the parents. And make sure Cleo is aware of every injury, invasion, and bruise upon their bodies."