Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 541
A man in servant’s livery ran up. Lavin forced himself to
stand perfectly still, although his heart was hammering. "Are
you looking for the general, sir?" asked the servant.
"The queen, actually." He felt his men shifting uneasily
behind him. They were close to breaking strain, he knew--any
slight provocation now and they would unsheath their swords.
He prayed they would remain as cool as he pretended to be.
"The queen is... indisposed," said the servant. "General
Armiger is with her."
"Where?"
"Her closet, at the end of this corridor, but sir, General
Armiger said they were not to be disturbed. He ordered even
the duennas to leave."
Lavin sniffed. "This is critical to ending the siege," he
said, and walked on.
They passed two more servants and five of the queen’s
maids, one of whom Lavin recognized. None looked at them.
Then they were at the queen’s door.