[IRP] Power Begets Power

[WyvernSlayer]

"Reservations?" asked Satsume.  She had done it again - read him like a book.  It was annoying most of the time, but he was thankful she had chosen to air it out privately.  She explained her reasoning for returning to Castle Laus.  As she did, she picked up the dagger that Satsume had left on the bed and held it up to him.
 
"I am sure you noticed the lion's head sculpted into the hilt. It represents the authority of Lausian nobility."  Satsume nodded.
 
"However, you will also notice that the nose on this particular dagger has a large dent. The story behind it is well known to the royal guard, so you must not allow it to be examined."
 
“Of course, milady.”  Satsume reached out to grab the head of the dagger, curling his fingers so they obscured the dent.  He held it up to Cecily to demonstrate, flashing a slight smile.  But it faded quickly as he set it in his belt, and looked her in the eyes once more.
 
“Listen… after this… we’re done, right?  You’ll have the castle, the guards, the attendants… everything will be more or less back to normal for you.  And someone like me… can get back to my family, right?”
 
Deafening silence followed as she contemplated her reply.
 
"Your presence has been invaluable to me,” she said.  “It may be early to speak of such things, but you are more than deserving of reward for your service. Is that truly all you want: to pretend that all of this is in the past? Leave it all behind?”
 
“N-no, it’s not that.  It’s just…” Satsume sighed.  “…I’m no knight.  I’m not cut out for being at the side of a noble lady, and you know it.  I just feel that, once the castle is yours again, the resources there are better suited to protecting you than…” he splayed his arms out in a self-referencing gesture.  “…a common merc like me.”
 
"Even the common folk deserve recognition for their deeds, Satsume. I need not remind you that I would be dead without your aid and, assuming everything works as intended, return me home with restoration of my status," Cecily said, crossing her arms and giving him a stern look. "If I were to have my way, that is more than enough to earn land and noble status in Laus.”
 
Satsume paused.  Land and noble status?!  That’s… wow.  Lycia had long been a hostile place for Satsume’s family, but carrying some lordly weight – however minor – might be enough to convince his family to move back...
 
All you’d have to do is spend your days living in the shadow of the woman you could never have, said some awful voice in the back of his head.  Satsume physically shook his head to shake the thought away, which Cecily noticed.
 
“Do not dare tell me you wish for nothing in lieu of your efforts,” she said.
 
“N-no!  I mean…” he stammered.  “…I’ll graciously accept whatever you see fit to give me for escorting you to Laus,” he replied, “...but I have my own life to get back to. One where I’m not so involved in fighting against the nation I used to call home.” He turned away from her uncompromising glare.
 
“...I have more than just you to look after, you know? They’re the only family I’ve got.” His mind briefly flashed to his deceased mother, causing Satsume to clench his fists. “...or at least, the only family I’ve got left.”
 
Cecily's expression softened, if only for a moment. "We can discuss the details once we have taken the throne."
 
Satsume turned to face her again.  “Yeah… sorry.  This was a bad time to bring it up.”  Silence lingered between the two of them.  He felt sick, his heart pounding hard enough to be felt in his throat.  “We’ll… talk later, I guess.”  He stepped past Cecily, trying to get to the door.
 
“Let’s go, then.  Lita and Shad are waiting…”