martinet

martinet (n.) a strict disciplinarian

quagmire

quagmire (n.) a difficult situation

ignominious

ignominious (adj.) humiliating, disgracing

penitence

penitence (n.) sorrow for sins or faults

complicity

complicity (n.)  association or participation in or as if in a wrongful act

timorous

timorous (adj.)  of a timid disposition; fearful

ruse

ruse (n.) a trick