[center][h2][color=B0171F][b]Collaboration - Suspicion and Subterfuge[/b][/color][/h2]
[i][color=#8B5F65][b]Written by Drunken Conquistador, Not Fishing, and BurningCold[/b][/color][/i][/center] 

Gabriel turned towards the new arrival from his place near the fire. A strong looking man, the sort that would actually have a shot surviving and prospering in a Free Company, and dressed for the part too. But that thought was quickly shoved aside as Agabyzus' seized the chance to warn his host, once again, about the scheming actor. Letting the advice hang in the back of his mind, the former Thorn Captain rose up, raising a hand in greeting.

[color=YELLOW]"I hope you aren't planning on keeping that mask on, my friend. It looks rather uncomfortable and it would be terribly rude for introductions."[/color]

Beric offered a warm smile, though none of that warmth quite reached his eyes. He sized Gabriel up, and for a moment was reminded of Derrick. The stranger had the look of a mercenary. Cassius's voice could be heard in Beric's head. [color=fff200]His master would be Agabyzus,[/color] Cassius began. [color=fff200][i]One of the better ones, in the sense that he never sought power for power's sake. Still, that does not mean you should trust him. Not that it mattered.[/i][/color] Beric never intended to trust any of them, not even Cassius himself. [color=fff200][i]Nevertheless, do say hello to him for me.[/i][/color]

[color=f7941d]"Actually, this mask is more than comfortable."[/color] Beric stated, but as he said that the mask disappeared from his face.  [color=f7941d]"Sometimes, I forget I'm wearing it."[/color] There was a pause, as he considered his next words. [color=f7941d]"So, we're all here for the same goal, right? I'd hate to have come all this way only to discover that I've gone mad."[/color]

[color=YELLOW]"I'm here for sightseeing."[/color] Gabriel smiled. [color=YELLOW]"And because a voice in my head tells me to fight the rest of the world."[/color]

[color=f7941d]"Well, tell your voice that my voice says hello."[/color] Beric quipped. Despite his relaxed words, there was still mistrust in his eyes.

[color=YELLOW]"Of course, where are my manners?"[/color] Gabriel replied in mock shame. [color=YELLOW]"Agatho D'amero, currently hosting Agabyzus."[/color] He finished, extending his hand.

[color=f7941d]"Beric Vendal. Currently being pestered by a theatre-loving fop named Cass."[/color] Cassius was naturally offended. [color=fff200][i]This is coming from an illiterate forest-dwelling cutthroat![/i][/color] Beric ignored the Trickster's comeback and looked down at the extended hand. After a moment, he extended his own hand and shook. [color=f7941d]"What do you know of our mission?"[/color]

[color=YELLOW]"You just missed an enlightening lecture from a giant fiery head."[/color] Gabriel joked, covering the uneasiness and discomfort that the experience left beneath humor. [color=YELLOW]"In short."[/color] He shrugged. [color=YELLOW]"We are to take over the world and remake it in our image or something like that. The usual for the Legion."[/color]

The sudden appearance of the self-proclaimed "god of war", Aktorr Xurtas, had left Katerina in a state of quiet musing. Beoris, too, was remaining silent, save the occasional cooing to soothe Katerina's mind when it began to race. His presence was like a ward to fend off the greater demons lurking in her mind; oft it had been Beoris's intervention that steadied her rapid breathing, the clutching tightness of her chest, the uncontrollable shaking that wracked her body. So she sat in silence, even as newcomers filtered into the camp as others slinked off; she did not trust herself to speak. [color=8B8970][i]Child,[/i][/color] Beoris began. [color=8B8970][i]You must calm yourself. I am ever with you, dearest. I will keep you safe. Now, there are new arrivals here. This demands your attention. Go.[/i][/color] So, steadying herself with a slow breath, she went. 

Two men conversed with one another, not far from where Katerina had once rested beside Fayvre's slumbering form. The first had a rough, vaguely handsome look. Long hair extended down just past his shoulders. The man stunk of mercenary. The other was well-muscled but altogether unremarkable in Katerina's eye, save for the scar extending across his face. What a horrid thing. [color=8B8970][i]Agabyzus owns the caped one, child. He is delusional, yet useful. In his time, he was capable of bending the dead to his will. The other belongs to Cassius the Cunning. That one is... good company. Do not allow any charms he may possess to fool you, though. He is ambitious, like me, though he hungers for little else than change. Not once did he speak to me of what he planned to do in the case of our success. He desires chaos for chaos' sake, I suspect.[/i][/color]

By the time Beoris had finished his speech, Katerina was within a reasonable range of the two gentleman. Three feet apart, just as her lessons taught her when matters of the court were all she was expected to tend to. She gave a little bow, a graceful smile upturning the corners of her mouth. [color=6CA6CD]"Sirs, it is my great pleasure to make acquaintances of the both of you. My name is Katerina."[/color]

Beric was about to question the comment about the giant fiery head, but was not entirely sure of what he should say. Instead he turned to face the newcomer. She was young, too young for this quest. She did not look like she possessed any sort of battle experience at all. Perhaps an aristocrat, or the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Beric's first thought was that she was weak; that she would be dead weight. [color=fff200][i]A dangerous assumption,[/i][/color] Cassius pointed out. [color=fff200][i]Everyone here was chosen by a Legionnaire, and they have all been granted powers just like you. Just because someone cannot best you physically, does not mean they cannot best you magically or mentally.[/i][/color] 

[color=fff200][i]As to her Legionnaire,[/i][/color] Cassius continued, [color=fff200][i]He is Beoris the Bastard. Charming enough, I suppose, and hungry for power, though I don't recall ever hearing about what he intended to do with that power. He desires power for power's sake, I suspect.[/i][/color]

Beric nodded towards her, his smile fading. [color=f7941d]"Can't say a highborn girl has ever been happy to see me, but false flattery is better than nothing."[/color]

Katerina did not waver. [color=6CA6CD]"Who or what we were before matters little now,"[/color] She maintained the pleasant, even tone of her voice. [color=6CA6CD]"We now serve a cause greater than ourselves."[/color] Her smile widened by a slight. [color=6CA6CD]"Of course I am grateful to meet two new companions."[/color] She spoke in genuine, honest shades. [color=6CA6CD]"Please do not think me false, sir. Honesty is a courtesy that I expect from others, thus I must give it to those I speak to in turn. I say it again, it is a pleasure to meet you, truthfully."[/color] 

Within her mind, Katerina felt the reverberations of Beoris' smooth chuckle. [color=8B8970][i]Well done, love! Well done indeed. That performance was impeccable. Cassius may know me well enough to be wary of falsehood, but that display just now was the epitome of sincerity. Impressive indeed.[/i][/color] Katerina, for her part, continued to look on at the two men. Despite Beoris' praise, there was a sliver of annoyance within her. The first to address her had not supplied a name. How very rude of him. 

[color=f7941d]"I never said it mattered."[/color] Beric countered with a cold chuckle. As he listened to the rest of her words, Cassius butted in. [color=fff200][i]I wonder what Beoris has been filling her head with,[/i][/color] He wondered. [color=fff200][i]Either she genuinely believes in her own words - meaning Beoris has his hooks deep - or she is continuing to be dishonest, meaning Beoris has trained her well, or she was already like that to begin with. You'll assume she is lying, of course?[/i][/color] Beric subconsciously nodded, an act which Katerina would perhaps mistake as agreeing with her. [color=fff200][i]Good. Also, control your body language. They might wonder what you are nodding to.[/i][/color]

Once Katerina was finished speaking, Beric looked her straight in the eye, and for a few moments gave her a long, measuring stare, testing her resolve and searching for any trace of deception or betrayal. [color=f7941d]"Beric Vendal."[/color] He said, extending his hand once more, and never once breaking eye contact.

She didn't hesitate to take Beric's hand into her own, thankfully gloved. Why was she shaking hands with this man? He should be kneeling before her. Katerina's eyes never left Berics's, and they never for a moment betrayed anything beyond what she had presented willingly. Then, the ordeal was over and done with, as the other fellow began to speak.

[color=YELLOW]"And I'm Agatho D'amero."[/color] Gabriel greeted with a short bow. [color=YELLOW]"A pleasure to meet you."[/color] He added amicably. [color=GOLD][i]I do hope you paid attention to both of them,[/i][/color] Agabyzus warned. [color=GOLD][i]No Legionnary could match Beoris and Cassius when it came to deception. Keep your guard up and your secrets away from them and their hosts. Assume that they're made of the same cloth.[/i][/color] Gabriel suppressed a snort. As if the Prince hadn't been lecturing him on the faults of his former allies for over a decade already. [color=GOLD][i]Valuable lessons should be reinforced, these are not mere sellswords, Gabriel. Keep your eyes open and ears at attention.[/i][/color]

So, the rough looking, vaguely handsome man that reeked of hired help had some manners. It was a welcome change from the gruff behavior some of her fellow legionarries possessed. [color=6CA6CD]"Agatho D'amero,"[/color] Katerina began, a trace amount of warmth beyond the typical pleasantries entering her voice. [color=6CA6CD]"I look forward to a long and fruitful partnership. Tell me, what brings you here, beyond the call of your master?"[/color]

[color=YELLOW]"I found his goals and reasons worth following, milady."[/color] Gabriel replied sincerely. [color=YELLOW]"In my years fighting for coin across the Free Cities I came across much that could be made better, just like Agabyzus thought in his days of full life. It's my hope that our endeavor will allow me and my master to follow through this plan and replace the rotten order that straddles the land with something better."[/color]

Beric studied both of his companions. [color=fff200][i]I do hope you will show some more manners to the others,[/i][/color] Cassius cutted in once more. [color=fff200][i]I said 'don't trust them, not 'do what you can to antagonize them.'[/i][/color] In truth Beric's first impression of the girl had not been a good one, but he had noticed how she did not waver, nor did her ruse break, and that he had to respect that. [color=f7941d]"There is strength in both of you."[/color] He grudgingly acknowledged. [color=f7941d]"I look forward to seeing how that strength works in a scrap."[/color] He looked towards Katerina once more, indicating that she was the one the comment was primarily directed to, though his expression was curious instead of doubtful.

Katerina looked back at Beric unassumingly. [color=6CA6CD]"You needn't worry about me, Sir Vandal."[/color] And that was all she said, just as before, spoken in the same evenly calm tone.

[color=f7941d]"To more important things, then."[/color] Beric moved on. [color=f7941d]"Who is on watch duty?"[/color]

[color=6CA6CD]"Two of us have ventured out beyond the light of the campfire. I know not to where they go, or when they should return."[/color] She paused. [color=6CA6CD]"I say this only if you should volunteer for the role, so that they do not catch you unawares."[/color] Another pause. [color=6CA6CD]"Though, I am not opposed to keeping watch, myself. I have rather sharp eyes."[/color]

[color=YELLOW]"I have sharp eyes in the sky."[/color] Gabriel spoke pointing to the sky. [color=YELLOW]"Though there's no such thing as too few lookouts."[/color]

[color=f7941d]"We should do it in shifts. Three makes the most sense. I'll take the first watch. The two of you could work out who takes second or third between yourselves, unless someone else wants to do it."[/color] Beric advised. [color=f7941d]"Can't have some cutthroat out there the woods living up to the name of his job."[/color] Of course, he had his own ulterior motives for taking on the first watch. It ensure that he would be the last to fall asleep, and also give him time to practice his new abilities.

Gabriel nodded in agreement. [color=YELLOW]"I will take the second watch then."[/color] He wasn't going to fall asleep just yet, he really couldn't bring himself too in this situation, but any rest would be welcome at this point. Plus, Alessandra could use some rest, her wings must be aching after so much flying.

[color=6CA6CD]"I shall take the third watch, I suppose. For the time being, I will slumber. It has been many days since I've had a proper rest."[/color] This wasn't entirely true. The nights she spent on the open road with Beoris, resting beneath the stars? Those are treasured memories. [color=6CA6CD]"Sir D'amero, will you please wake me when you grow weary?"[/color] 

[color=YELLOW]"Of course."[/color] Gabriel nodded. [color=YELLOW]"But for now we rest."[/color]

Beric nodded as well. [color=f7941d]"I'll start once most of us have gone asleep. We can use the moon to know when it's time to change shifts."[/color] And with that, he had nothing more to say.

Katerina meandered closer to the fire then, laying upon the ground in the most comfortable position she could manage. Drawing her cloak tightly around her, she allowed her eyes to close shut. It was little more than a ruse and an excuse to meditate; she had no intention of sleeping.