According to Snow's brief explanation, the Tepet man and Axley had some sort of history. That didn't make the news that the monk felt this newcomer was a spy any easier to swallow. Still, Fergus thought it wasn't as complicated as all that. If a man from a Tepet Patrician House (especially a patrician so decorated as to have such fine weapons and armor) survived the assault on the Ruins, then it could just as easily be the dragons' will that they meet like this.

Fergus' brow furrowed a bit as he tried to put his thoughts into words. [COLOR=FF8C00][B]"I suppose that's possible, Snow. Being wary is definitely wise. But I know a bit about him as well. Any patrician such as myself would. His weapon alone gives away the fact he is with House Tepet. You may have noticed that as well, had you not been so worked up about him being an enemy."[/B][/COLOR] Fergus patted the fine dagger he kept at his side before continuing, signaling to Snow that he had no intent on letting himself just be killed without a fight. 

[COLOR=FF8C00][B]"Still, you could be right. Though I will be frank with you. I'm going to try and see it from a different angle. Perhaps the dragons themselves smile upon us today, yes? Two patricians from the two mightiest remaining dynastic houses, meet by chance with a ragtag group of survivors after a devastating attack on the former capital? Seems almost like a fated encounter, doesn't it?"[/B][/COLOR] He patted the monk on the shoulder in hopes of reassuring the man. [COLOR=FF8C00][B]"All we can do now is play it by ear and hope for the best. If you're on edge the entire time, you'll burn yourself out long before we get to Lord's Crossing."[/B][/COLOR]

He did not mean to ignore Cilia in the exchange, but he needed to talk to the new man and hammer things out. Cutting off any further discussion between the man and Axley, Fergus yelled out: [COLOR=FF8C00][B]"You there! Tepet!"[/B][/COLOR] He figured addressing the warrior by his noble house might be best. Both a show of his own authority as well as recognition of the other's status as a noble. Especially as Fergus did not yet know what the man's name was, nor his patrician house. [COLOR=FF8C00][B]"As it seems you've history with one of our merry group of misfits, I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt for now. ... that said, I doubt I am alone in thinking I want to know exactly what happened there."[/B][/COLOR] The word "there" was accompanied with a motion toward The Tepet man's neck wound.

Looking around again at the mostly packed-up campsite, Fergus made a proposal. [COLOR=FF8C00][B]"For the time being, we are headed upriver to the nearest town in order get some rest and properly supply ourselves before deciding what we do next. Tag along with us. On the way, you can explain everything. If we all like what we hear, then you can stick with us if you see fit. If we don't like what we hear, then that's as far as we go together. Seems fair to me. What say you?"[/B][/COLOR] As he asked the final question, Fergus extended a hand to the Tepet man while keeping his other hand planted firmly on the pommel of his weapon.

He did not intentionally speak for the others in the group. It was merely habitual, as patricians are used to speaking from positions of authority.