[IRP] The Dead One Calls

[WyvernSlayer]

Satsume bristled with displeasure as the goons stepped around them and began appraising Cecily and Paige.  I’ll repay that in kind, he growled inwardly as one of the brigands ran his hand through Cecily’s hair.  She didn’t move, but the look on her face was enough to make even Satsume feel disgust alongside her.
 
An armor-piercing inquiry from who Satsume assumed was the leader of the bunch was deflected by Eli.  Satsume was beckoned to follow one of the bandits as he moved to the door.  Satsume followed cautiously behind, dropping the rope that “held” Paige and Cecily.  He brandished Paige’s rapier and awkwardly peered around the lead bandit’s shoulder as he peeked out into the night.
 
“Ain’t nothing ‘ere!  Must be a pat-“
 
*Whomp!*  Satsume jumped back in surprise as a wyvern pounded into the ground, pulverizing the bandit while issuing a guttural snarl at everyone in the castle.  It took a moment for Satsume to collect himself, but when he realized what was happening, his mind snapped back to their plan.
 
"My name is Leroy Vael, Rider of the Bernese Army!” cried the wyvern’s rider.  “You are to lay down your arms and surrender the castle, or you will be dispatched without mercy!"
 
Satsume feigned obedience, sheathing the sword and unstrapping the scabbard from his belt.  His left hand fell to his side, ready to grab his spear.
 
“Sod off!  This is our castle an’ we found it fair n’ square!” hollered the man with the eyepatch.  “At ‘im, boys!  I’m gonna pin that wyvern’s wings to the façade!”  Weapons were raised once again.  Satsume whirled around, putting his back to the wyvern.  This would be a bad time to learn that that’s not Eli’s brother, he thought.
 
“And get them out of here!” bellowed the eyepatched goon, gesturing to Paige and Cecily.
 
“Paige, heads up!” Satsume yelled, tossing the rapier in his off hand over to her.  His left hand took up his weapon and snapped it out to combat length.  The recoil buckled him a tiny bit, and his ribs ached in displeasure.
 
Right – not wearing armor, he remembered.  And that healing salve from earlier isn’t meant for internal injuries…  He needed to get over to Cecily, and quickly; her song would be crucial to keeping the pain at bay.
 
Unfortunately, one of the castle goons had stepped between him and the girls.  “What do you think you’re doing, punk?!” he shouted.  He waved an axe head at him threateningly.  Satsume, undaunted, clamped the head of his lance down on the man’s wrist with a quick motion – quicker, he noticed, than would have been possible with heavy gauntlets and shoulder pauldrons.  The brigand yelped and dropped his weapon, clasping at the wound.
 
“We’re evicting you,” Satsume said coolly, before shoving the man to the ground and hopping over him to get to Cecily.
 
He hoped that, in the din of the unfolding battle, she hadn’t noticed him grimace in pain as he landed.