[ WP ] `` You all remember why the captain of the guard decided to grace us with his presence . ''

`` Well, well, well.'' The voice addressed the area around me. I attempted to swing my eyes into focus, but they seemed determined to strike out on their own. Locating the glass by smell alone, I grabbed the pint and knocked it back. The voice continued, as sweet and light as a shark spotting a seal. 
 `` Look boys, it's the Captain of the Guard. We all remember the Captain, do n't we?'' A rumble of affirmation indicated that yes, the boys did indeed remember me, and the memories were not fond ones. 
 `` And look, his glass is empty. Shall I get you a fresh one, Captain?'' The voice continued its slow, mocking stalk, building to the inevitable violent climax. I stood up, a challenging feat in the circumstances. I anchored myself to the table via the empty glass. Standing as straight as I could in the circumstances, I faced the `` friendly'' voice. Well, I attempted to. My eyes still refused to align, and instead took in the smoky dive I was in, and the ring of people about me. This was not going to go well. 
 `` N-nnyo thanks, I'm fine. It'sh nice to offer though.'' I swayed under the slur, eliciting a chuckle from the group. Marshalling my feet, I started a slow weave to the door, but was prevented by the owner of the voice. Hands placed on my shoulders, he steadied me, lining me up nicely for a headbutt. My eyes, burying past differences, focussed on the unpleasant face of Corporal Sharn. His smile did not reach his eyes, but promised instead revenge for all the punishment brought for the multitude of infractions against our Code. 
 *Bang! * 
 The noise from the bar made him flinch in shock, releasing me ( who nobly staggered back and fell over a stool ). At the bar stood Lieutenant Fines, blade and nightstick drawn. 
 `` Yes, Corporal, I remember our Captain. I remember why he's here. What I'm not sure is why *you're* here, Sharn, instead of on your beat in the cattle market.'' 
 Sharn squared up to his superior, a sneer on his face. Flicking a glance at his fallen Captain, he murmured `` Watch yourself, Fines. Times are a-changing, be sure you know to stand on the right side.'' 
 `` The right side being you and that thug of a new Captain? I'll remember. And I remember *who* was seen disappearing into that Captain's house when he was away, to'*pay respect*' to his wife.'' Sharn's face turned white. `` Now piss off, Corporal, and go perform your mockery of law enforcement elsewhere.'' The group shuffled off, Corporal Sharn flicking a mocking salute as he left. 
 `` Come on, Captain'' he heaved me to my feet, which had decided to join my eyes in their independence. 
 ``'m not your Captain, Fines. Not anymore.'' My toungue still obeyed, the last loyal part of me. A snort from my shoulder indicated the Lieutenant's opinion on that. `` You'll always be my Captain, Captain'' 
 `` I- I just could n't let it happen. I could n't let them die. They were innocent, and those *orders*, they - they'' I fell into silence. `` Did they get out ok?'' 
 `` Yes, Captain, they got out fine. There are still men loyal to you.'' 
 `` They should n't be loyal to me, but to the law'' I whispered, before falling into the gutter, luckily unconscious before hitting it. 
 The Lieutenant looked at his fallen Captain, and sighed. `` In this town, sir, it's the same thing.''
