Yeah, they were almost as good as stormtroopers.

I'm wondering about Istavan choice to serve under Naris. In the end Naris is his greatest rival in more ways than one. Not only for Rinda's hand but also because Naris clearly intends to keep Parro all for himself. So, rather than trying to rise high in his service, I'm thinking Istavan must only be studying the man. He could also be looking for a way to be able to offer Parro to Rinda once the dust settles. Considering how he's fortunate himself yet everybody around him gains misfortune, he might certainly be slaying two birds with one stone by sticking close to Naris.

Another thing is if Naris's impressive intelligence network can sort out Istavan's identity and how close he was to the prince and princess of Parro. And what he would do if he did find that out.