Rip their heads off and carry on walking, a slightly hysterical part of his mind advised. It was quickly shut down.

"Get me his lordship," he said, his voice sounding far away in his own ears, but not without authority. Mechanical, calm. The children were far too light in his arms. He could feel Shamash trembling. "In fact, you," nodding to the guard who had stammered his inquiry, "take me to him, now. And you," indicating the other, "fetch a doctor. I trust nothing about this situation looks like anything that can wait."