[ It is not a coincidence that Byerly is at the cave. Honestly, a cave-in? When the most dire threat facing them is starvation? When there are traitors in the camp? It doesn't take a genius analyst to guess that this terrible accident might well have a human source. Of course, it is never his intention to appear particularly intelligent or alert, and so his trip out there for investigation is disguised as a stumbling, drunken stroll through the moonlight, lips parted and eyes squinting like he's well and truly smashed.
But - things look a little different from...what he might expect. It's the changing of the guard, that towering (and absurdly handsome) outsider taking over for the night - and, By realizes, standing over someone collapsed face-down. For a moment, his mind races with paranoid fear: did this man kill him? Oh, dear heavens, is he going to have to fight this mountain of a man? He'll get smashed. But then he realizes that Maine is checking to see if the man is alive. Not, then, his murderer, or even his assailant, most likely.
Should he stay hidden? Make himself known? By vacillates a moment, then decides: stay hidden for now. He stays out of the ring of light at the entrance, crouching amongst the rocks and the snow, hoping he hasn't been spotted. If Maine goes into the cave, Byerly decides, he'll follow. If the man goes for help...Ah, he supposes he'll reveal himself, then, offer his assistance. But there's also the possibility that Maine will do something self-incriminating, something that will indicate that he's in cahoots with whoever attacked the first guard, and if that's the case, he'd sooner stay out of sight so he can report back.
Assuming, of course, that he wasn't already heard on the initial approach. ]
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But - things look a little different from...what he might expect. It's the changing of the guard, that towering (and absurdly handsome) outsider taking over for the night - and, By realizes, standing over someone collapsed face-down. For a moment, his mind races with paranoid fear: did this man kill him? Oh, dear heavens, is he going to have to fight this mountain of a man? He'll get smashed. But then he realizes that Maine is checking to see if the man is alive. Not, then, his murderer, or even his assailant, most likely.
Should he stay hidden? Make himself known? By vacillates a moment, then decides: stay hidden for now. He stays out of the ring of light at the entrance, crouching amongst the rocks and the snow, hoping he hasn't been spotted. If Maine goes into the cave, Byerly decides, he'll follow. If the man goes for help...Ah, he supposes he'll reveal himself, then, offer his assistance. But there's also the possibility that Maine will do something self-incriminating, something that will indicate that he's in cahoots with whoever attacked the first guard, and if that's the case, he'd sooner stay out of sight so he can report back.
Assuming, of course, that he wasn't already heard on the initial approach. ]