[IRP] As Firm as a Mountain

[WyvernSlayer]

Satsume’s head swung on a swivel as a slightly muffled clattering sound rang from inside the house. It seemed to get everyone else’s attention, as well.

“…The hell was that?” asked Limstella. Ray echoed a similar comment.

Satsume puffed on his pipe and had to consciously reach up and grab it away from his mouth with the hand that had instinctively reached for the weapon at his side. Lycia had made him especially jumpy.

“Boy, come in here and deal with your lady friend!” Satsume’s father hollered. Satsume relaxed upon hearing this. There was little urgency in his father’s tone, indicating a lack of real danger.

She must be feeling better, he thought, and rolled his eyes at having to prematurely empty his pipe AGAIN. He entered the house and met up with his father in the kitchen.

“She’s clambering for ink and paper,” he said. “I don’t have time to deal with it, I’ve got blades heating up outside.” Satsume sighed audibly.

“I’ll handle it, Dad.” Satsume watched his father leave the room, then crept over to the living room, where his father’s ledger lay open on a stand beside a bottle of ink. Satsume flipped through to the last few pages and tore them out. He snatched up a quill pen and a bottle of ink and made his way back towards his room.

Cecily greeted him with a weary smile as he pushed the door open. It was almost as if she was glad it was Satsume fulfilling her request instead of someone else. He noted that she was now sitting upright.

“You rang?” Satsume quipped. “I take it you’re feeling better.”

He made his way over to the stool beside the bed and perched on it. As Cecily gingerly reached out to receive the paper and ink, Satsume yanked his hands back.

“Not so fast, Princess. You owe me a few answers.” He set the items on the side table and sent a stern gaze to the girl in his bed.

“I want to know everything about why you’re here. Lycians of higher standing don’t go sightseeing in Bern these days. And you’re also a target of someone, which means you may even be a criminal, for all I know. Now that I’ve done my part to save you…” Satsume folded his arms.

“You owe me the truth, Cecily.”