[IRP] Power Begets Power

[WyvernSlayer]

Satsume took a deep breath.  The horse snorted in response, seemingly snapping him back to attention.  Here we go.  Satsume finished tying the horse to the pole near the entrance to the garrison.  Two uniformed sentries approached him as turned around.

"Please state your business, sir!" one of the sentries said authoritatively.

Satsume puffed up his chest and faked an air of urgency.  "I must speak with Captain Serge, there has been a situation."  He pointed down at the dagger's hilt.  "Please show me to him, it is very urgent."

One of the sentries peered at Satsume's belt, then looked to his compatriot and nodded.  "We will fetch him at once!"  Satsume remained where he was.  One of the sentries ducked into the garrison, returning a moment later with a tall, well-built man sporting a rugged beard and a gleaming captain’s cuirass.

“And you are?” he huffed.

“Seram Hall,” Satsume replied hastily, grabbing the dagger and holding it such that the dent in the lion’s head pommel was obscured.  “We have confirmation that the pretender to the Lausian marquessate waits in the northeast, with a moderate siege force.”

Serge seemed to do a double take at the dagger, but Satsume quickly set it back in his belt.  “The marquess has sent me to request that you send all available detachments to intercept them.”

“Hmm.”  Serge raised an eyebrow.  “And which pretender would this be?”

“Cecilia Laus, sir.  She has not only proven, um… resistant to our attempts to remove her…” Satsume gestured with his hand to find the right words for his lie.  “She’s managed to collect a modest amount of sympathy from abroad.  We think she may be in league with Bern.”

Serge huffed.  “And he thinks this demands our entire contingent?”

Better play it safe here, Satsume thought.  “N-no, of course not!  A few shall go with me to the castle and add ourselves to the defenses there.”  Satsume held his hands up.  “As a precaution, of course.  I’m sure the girl and her cadre is no match for you.  Um… Captain.”

Serge’s expression seemed to relent.  “I see.”  He pointed to the two sentries.  “You two go with Mr. Hall and report to Marquess Laus immediately.”  He turned back to Satsume.  “How far are they?”

“Not even half a day’s ride.  We must hurry, Captain – before long they will be within sight of the town, and I’d like not to panic the citizens.”

Serge nodded and ducked into the tent.  As Satsume began to hear the sounds of orders being issued, he turned his attention to the two soldiers.  “Well, gentlemen?  Let us make for the castle.”  With the two of them leading the way, he headed back to rendezvous with Cecily and the group.  He had precious little time to think of a way to discreetly deal with the two louts he felt forced to bring with him.