It's tempting to manacle anyone who comes close to the king, but that's what the other player wants you to think. This is a game of bluff, double bluff, and sometimes even triple bluff. Like Poker with swords and knives instead of cards. Think about where you'd position the assassins, think about the moves the other player has made, and don't clamp manacles on someone just because they look a bit suspicious. Everyone is suspicious, that's sort of the point. Working out which movements are fake-outs and which ones are actual acts of aggression is half the fun. If in doubt, push a citizen back. Their reaction on the next turn will reveal the truth of them.