For the benefit of the new(er) players who may not be aware of this, Retainers are like Weapons: If you don't have them in your +inventory, you don't have them with you. If you don't have a Guard Retainer with you, then you don't ICly have a Guard with you. If you don't have a Lancer Retainer with you, then you don't ICly have a Lancer with you. Background NPCs can be @emitted without issue providing that you don't use them to "Ghost" other characters. They should be used to provide flavor and a sense of population to a scene, not to act as standby as your own personal bodyguard.