For a while – perhaps almost ten seconds – Gallus stared Hiritus down with the same glare. His hesitation was the only indicator of prolonged thought.

"This isn't for fun, jester. If it were up to me, I would be the one truly deciding your fate." Gallus said with a grave tone, "If I were in charge, things would be different. You're nothing to me but a waste of time, just like the rest of the people in this clan, and that bitch snake breathing down my neck. You got anything else to say?"

Behind the facade, Gallus hoped that Hiritus would take the bait soon. Any more forcing the issue and he couldn't guarantee being able to hide his intentions.

[hr]
Tzirret turned his head to Bheja, Qa'habi, and Ma'tanza when they answered. It was nice to hear that they would be coming along, even in spite of Bheja implying that he [i]wanted[/i] to be on the front lines. Still, Tzirret didn't dwell on that right now.

"How are you all feeling about it?" Tzirret asked, "Have you been on marches or in battles before?"