[IRP] The Dead One Calls

[WyvernSlayer]

Satsume perked his head up at Cecily's inquiry and ruffled the cards in his hand.

"Shad said 'an hour or two,' but given his track record lately..." He laid a six on the table. "Would you wait that long?" He glanced at Paige, who had a look of bewilderment on her face as she laid a nine down.

"That's fifteen for two. No, don't move my pegs-"

*knock knock knock!*

Everyone's eyes darted up toward the door. They're back already?, wondered Satsume. A brief moment of silence followed the knock, none of the three being immediately sure how to respond.

Finally, Cecily spoke. "Yes?"

"It's the innkeeper. I have a box to deliver."

Satsume met Cecily's eyes. She motioned towards the door with her head. "Go on," she mouthed. Satsume sighed, dropping his cards on the table face-down and standing up from his chair. Yep, send the mule to go fetch your things. Gods forbid if it's really some kind of-

As soon as Satsume's hand twisted around the doorknob, the door exploded inwards, catching Satsume completely by surprise and hurtling him back into the room.

WHAM!

"Errrgh!" He toppled backwards over a chair, sending him - and his armor - crashing to the floor. Three large men hurriedly filed into the room. Two of them bore large metal clubs, and the third had a short sword at his hip. Satsume scrambled to get to his feet, but one of the club-bearers was upon him almost instantly, catching him square in the lower ribs with an uppercut swing. He shouted in pain, grabbing at his side as the brigand kicked him over onto his back.

“Good, now take the girls,” snarled the leader. He and the other man advanced toward the girls, throwing a chair aside. The man standing over Satsume grinned devilishly.

“How’s it feel, scum?” he sneered. “Does it hurt?”

Satsume said nothing, rolling over onto his knees, still planting a hand at his right side. His left hand moved quickly to his hip. With a quick shuffle, Satsume shifted his front to face his attacker and thumbed the button on his lance. Snap! The spearhead recoiled upwards, catching the side of the man’s knee and causing him to yelp in surprise, getting the attention of the other two assailants.

“Milady! Paige! Nnnngh…!” Satsume staggered to his feet. His ribs were definitely broken – trying to shout was like driving needles into his heart. “Get behind me!” He winced and took up a stance leading with his left foot, tucking his spear under his arm. Anything beyond a short breath seemed to drive a stake into his side. His free hand traced across the crack in his armor from the bludgeon. Bastards…

The lead man looked quickly at his compatriot, who was spouting curses at his bleeding leg wound. “He hit my fucking knee, Boss!”

“Shutup! Randal, cave this man’s skull in and get him out of the way!” The leader growled and drew his sword. “We want the girls alive.”