[center][h3][u][b]Near Silverwick[/b][/u][/h3][/center]

Gabriel dreamt of floating away on a stream. Of cool, soothing water enveloping his sore body and nothing else.  Forgotten were the stink of sweat and the painful soreness of his body as Gabriel simply drifted away into the nothingness. A sharp tug, as if someone was pulling him down by his hair, was all the warning he got before Agabyzus unceremoniously brought him back to the waking world.

There wasn’t even enough time to groan at the still present soreness in his body before the Prince’s voice warned. [color=GOLD][i]”Stay sharp, she is one of us.[/i][/color]. Gabriel immediately saw the woman in question through half lidded eyes and suppressed a sigh. He quickly stood up, ignoring his aching legs as he waved for Megathocles to settle down. She [i]probably[/i] was no threat, yet at least.

	“Good morning.” He called out in his accented Vahkranite. “I do hope you can understand me, my lady. Otherwise this all is gonna be rather awkward.”

Meera nodded and pulled aside the loose scarf covering her face with one hand even as the other remained ready on the dagger under her cloak, “I can, though it appears it is a mother tongue to neither of us.  I am informed that our destination may be the same traveller, you head for Silverwick?”

“Indeed.” He smiled at her, hand resting at his pommel. “And I presume your source has already enlightened you of our shared purpose?”

Meera paused for a moment, regarding the man carefully, before she relaxed and dismounted her horse, “As you say.  Forgive my caution, but the nature of our common undertaking demands no less.”

“So it seems.” He agreed. “But I find that going straight to the point sometimes works better than subterfuge. At least in this case.” He regarded Meera for a second before continuing. “But where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself: Agatho D’amero. At your disposal.” He declared with a short, flowery bow.

Meera affected a cordial smile and returned ‘Agatho’s’ bow, albeit more conservatively.  At least, she considered, the chosen of the worlds greatest evil had manners.  Without more than a passing thought she introduced herself falsely, “Kasi Iyer.  A pleasure to meet you, Agatho.  It seems we’ve stumbled across each other prematurely, but perhaps this was for the best.  I do find myself wondering if all of our fellows will be so…  Pleasant.”

[color=GOLD][i]”Do not get your hopes up. For all we know she can prove to be a liability to our Dream.”[/i][/color]. Gabriel regarded her for another moment as he measured his next words. “Let’s hope so, then. Things would be so much easier that way. Though from what my benefactor told me, his fellow Legionnaires might not have had the chance to be picky, considering our shared circumstances.”

[i]”Enough with the pleasantries, this man may be our ally but until we know which of my fellows acts as his patron he is still a danger.  Doubtless they’d say the same of me, but many of the other Legionnaires were dangerously unstable, and worse yet, without the moderating effect you have Meera,”  Akar warned.[/i]

Aquizencing to the demand Meera queried, “True enough, but we may yet hope.  In the spirit of ‘going straight to the point’ as you say, may I ask your benefactors name?” 

“That is a fair question.” Gabriel nodded. “I work with Agabyzus, the Brass Prince. And you?”

Meera answered, “The Legionnaire Akat.” 

[color=GOLD][i]”Be careful, by the time of our defeat, Akat had grown out of control, her drive for absolute justice turned into senseless cruelty and pointless vengeance. [/i][/color] Gabriel nodded at that. “With introductions out of the way, then why don’t we proceed to Silverwick together? I’m sure we will find whatever answers we seek there. No point in delaying.”

“As you say.  We may only hope our introductions there will be as affable.”  Meera gave a last smile and turned to mount her horse.

As she returned her scarf to her face she listened to Akat carefully, [i]”Agabyzus is among the more trustworthy of our fellows Meera, you were lucky to meet his chosen here.  His goals were always nobler than the others.  I doubt his opinion of me is so glowing, but as long as we make no move against him he will remain an ally.  I cannot guarantee that with the others.”[/i]

Gabriel returned to his own horse, the pain in his legs now much more manageable as he dug out a parcel from his saddlebags. “Want some?” He asked extending his hand. “I don’t know about you, but even stale bread sounds delicious at this point.”

High above, the large eagle darted away, in direction of Silverwick.