Kurokuma had been talking with Sable, the man who had been keeping tabs on the preening peacock in the nearby cabin. Kurokuma had an innate distrust of nobles, reformed or not. He found them to be a generally pompous, blustering, ineffectual lot. This one had set up a cabin just a little ways down the road that passed outside the woods, and Kurokuma was careful to pay attention to anyone who lived nearby, especially someone as out of place as this noble. He'd rather surprised to see that the noble was building his cabin himself. It seemed rather out of character, and had made him decide to simply have him watched rather than immediately raided. The man had recently come onto his radar again, after he heard a rumor from one of his recent recruits that the man was asking about him in town. 

He had told Sable that he'd done well, and had been getting more details about what sort of trip this man had gone on when Gehrhart appeared at the entrance to the cave. Kurokuma paid him no mind. Gehrhart was probably the closest thing he had to a friend in this camp. The others were all useful, yes, and they respected him, but his reputation and demeanor meant that they did not seek to involve him in social situations. He didn't really mind. But Gehrhart was different. The man was experienced, disciplined and a fine warrior. He was someone whom Kurokuma believed he could trust with most any task and have confidence that it would be carried out. More than that, he felt that Gehrhart was a man that he would trust to watch his back in battle and he would do the same for the other man. 

He continued to speak with Sable for a few more minutes, but then he heard Gehrhart draw his sword and address someone who had approached the cave. Since Gehrhart had not raised the alarm, the visitor must not be hostile. Kurokuma's eyes met Sables and he said, "Follow me." Then he strode out towards the entrance of the cave. As he emerged, wrapped in his long black cloak, his form straightened and his full height was revealed as he viewed the man who Gehrhart was holding at sword's length. It was obviously the same man they had just been discussing. Kurokuma could tell by his clothes. He'd heard a bit of the conversation as he approached and he eyed the man in front of him, his massive build dwarfing the other man. His face was set in a scowl, and his eyes did not leave the noble. Finally, after a brief pause, he addressed the man in a strong low voice. "So, have you guessed why it is that men might follow me, if not for my ideas?"