"About your companions..." The brown-haired bishop mused aloud while his green eyes studied the people standing in his tent. The one people called 'the Masked Bishop' stood across the other bishop's desk, and Sasarai's gaze stopped on the man as he continued. "I would have to say, bishop, that you've got some excellent connections. However..."

Luc almost smiled under his mask. "Hmm? Is there a problem with the company I keep?"

Sasarai leaned forward and crossed his fingers on the desk. "Not really," he said as he turned to look to the side. The Masked Bishop's personal assistant - Sarah was her name - stood near the door, appearing somewhat withdrawn and quiet. Sasarai knew that she was however a high-level magician and quite a valuable addition to their forces. She was also completely dedicated to the mysterious bishop who covered his face, and thus her loyalty would not be a problem.

He turned to look at the other, even more valuable addition that the Masked Bishop had brought to their force - the strategist known as Albert Silverberg. Having met the man's grandfather and fought alongside with him in the Dunan Unification War, Sasarai was quite impressed. Just being a Silverberg would have been enough to make Harmonia want the man in their ranks, but during the battles Albert had accompanied his troops to, the strategist had proven that he was highly skilled, at least as good as Leon had been, Sasarai thought.

Albert didn't pay attention to the bishops; he was busy explaining some strategic detail from a map, which was spread across a small desk on the side, to Dios and a couple of other higher-level Harmonian commanders. Sasarai smiled to himself then turned his gaze to the last member of the small group.

The demon Yuber stood in the shadows on the other side of the tent, appearing somewhat bored of the things going on around him. He had a smirk on his face anyway as he watched what the others were doing from under his hat. Sasarai guessed he was quite anxious to get to the next battle already.

"Just pondering about one of them really," Sasarai continued. "You do know who and what you have recruited to our side, don't you, bishop?"

Luc smirked now, taking a moment to glance at the black-clad demon. "Oh, you're talking about Yuber. Yes, I'm quite aware who we're talking about here. I wouldn't worry about it, bishop. He made it clear that as long as we provide him what he seeks, he'll behave."

"That would be more battles and bloodshed I suppose," Sasarai calmly answered. He shifted his position in his chair and shot a glance at the demon again. "But his loyalty is somewhat questionable, if you weren't aware of that little detail. Did you know that he has taken off in the middle of the battle before? I can name two examples right now if you want them."

The Masked Bishop looked at him for a moment then laughed. Sasarai tilted his head, feeling somewhat curious. He didn't of course know that Luc's amusement came from the fact that he had been there to witness both the examples Sasarai was referring to.

"I am well aware of those incidents," Luc answered, smiling a little. His gaze was, however, quite cold as he looked at his brother, not that Sasarai could have seen that. "From what I know, in both cases he saw that his contract was over. And I guess one could say it was, if you are talking of the wars that I think you're speaking of. Those were the last battles of the war. Let me ask you this, then - do you expect a similar last battle to take place during this war?"

Sasarai appeared thoughtful for a moment. He then shook his head and smiled. "I could always check from the strategists, but I suppose you're right. I don't see it happening during this war, and so it would be logical to presume that he'll stay around for a while. One can never be sure however..."

"I wouldn't worry about that either," Luc added, his voice a little more quiet now. "It seems..." He glanced at Albert and lowered his face a little. He knew quite well what Albert was doing with Yuber, and he now stopped to consider for a moment. He then smirked. Albert probably wouldn't care if he told Sasarai - it would only make him appear more trustworthy for the sacrifices he was willing to make. As for what he was about to tell... Luc just couldn't pass the chance to make his brother feel very bothered.

"Let's just say, bishop, that sir Silverberg appears to be quite good at keeping the demon entertained. He's willing to apply some... unconventional means if needed."

The other bishop frowned slightly then leaned closer to Luc. "I'm not quite sure I understand what you mean..."

Luc smiled victoriously as he leaned closer to the desk. "I'll put it this way. I'm sure you know that the battles will keep Yuber entertained during the days. The nights... Well, Albert appears to have his ways to make him stay around. If you know what I mean."

"Oh... my," Sasarai said, leaning back in his chair. He flushed a bit and lowered his face, feeling embarrassed. What he had just heard was not something he would have expected. "Well, if he's... willing to do such a thing... then..." He cleared his throat and glanced over at Albert. "I mean, it is... completely consensual, right?"

Luc shrugged. "I would say it is. And knowing who we're talking about here... Well, Yuber wouldn't probably care either way, and Albert..." He shook his head. "I don't think it matters to him. But I would still say it's consensual. I never noticed any... problems with it. It also keeps Yuber from doing anything inappropriate to anyone else, so... I would say it's working."

Sasarai nodded, not really finding the right words for an answer. Well, as long as the Masked Bishop said it caused no harm... He hadn't noticed anything being wrong anyway, and what the other bishop said made perfect sense. Sasarai knew enough about Yuber to know that the Masked Bishop was right.

"I'll take your word on it," he finally said. "I just wanted to have another option on it. To know that he can be trusted."

"For now, yes," Luc said. "I'd guess he'll take off after the war, but till then, he's on our side. And I would say that when we're talking about him... It's a good that he's on our side."

Sasarai had to agree; he had seen Yuber in action enough times to know better. "I know. I apologize if I appeared a little curious, I just... Ah, never mind."

Luc turned. "Well, if that's all... I'll go check some strategic details from the surroundings, then. I'll be seeing you later, bishop." He took a few steps away from the desk, then stated, "We'll be going now."

Sasarai idly watched the members of the quartet leave, idly thinking about what they were off to do. Sarah simply stepped to the Masked Bishop's side. Albert nodded to the commanders, pointing out something from the map before excusing himself and following after Luc. The Masked Bishop's current orders included checking the area they were going to fight in, and the information would be quite useful when planning on the next attacks.

The demon was last to move; he stepped out of the shadows when Luc reached the door and then casually walked after him. He turned to look at Sasarai before exiting though, smiling somehow evilly before vanishing from sight.

For some reason, the look made the bishop feel quite cold all of a sudden, and he was indeed very glad the demon was on their side.

Author's notes:

Got this idea sometime ages ago but never got around typing it. Well, I was bored one evening and wanted to write, so here we go. Rather random, but who cares.

- Lady Harken (March, 2005)