[center][h2][color=a36209] Walgrave[/color]  [/h2][/center]
[@Flamelord] [@GreenGoat] [@Lonewolf685]
[hr]

Walgrave listened to Montag's counter to his proposal impassively. It seemed that this man would not be taken in, but neither was he averse to future cooperation. He didn't like it, but could not help but feel his opinion of the man rise slightly. Here was someone who would play his cards close to his chest, and expected others to do likewise. A proper Magus in other words. 

Walgrave smiled at his new associate, though on him it would have been hard to tell apart from a grimace. [color=a36209]"I accept your current terms then. You are slow to... hrnnnn... invest yourself... with a Magi you dont know. Thats good, most... natural. You will see that everything I foretold will come true however. But no matter... no matter. I look forward to working with you in any case. Already some of your ideas hmmmm, intrigue me." [/color]

[color=a36209]We will discuss more of this as it comes to it, but know; even yonder Servants, though they might ahhhh... tear through my best bounded fields like... paper, as you say. Even [i]they[/i] will take a few moments to rip apart such obstacles. When they come for your head in the middle of the night, you may be grateful for even those scant few extra moments."[/color]

He smiled again and rose, giving a small bow to the both of them.

[color=a36209]"Hrrrrn. We must... keep in touch. For now, while the day is young we have leeway to act as if all is well. I will meet you here again when the time is right, we will discuss whatever collaborations are necessary."[/color]

He turned and began working his way further back towards one of the far corners of the room near an exit. Idly he beckoned his Servant to follow him with a telepathic command. An interesting exchange, and as good as one could probably hope for at this stage of development. Still, it was worrying that he had not taken his money. 

Walgrave was of course bankrupt, long ago having lost the interest or ability to accurately manage finances of any kind. Now though he wondered if word had somehow gotten out. Unlikely considering how long it had been since he had made any kind of fiscal move within the Mage's Association. No he thought it unlikely that anyone would doubt his capability to raise a sum such as he had stated, and even if they did there would be no way to confirm it, as letters of business would take months to cross the ocean, long after which he would have achieved his goal. 

The critical point that Mr. Montag seemed to fail to grasp was that if all went as planned there would be no afterwards. Once he ascended to the Root and became a True Magician all other concerns would be trivial. Montag's own goals would have to be ferreted out later, but for now it seemed he would have to take things as they developed. 

Walgrave reached the exit of the room and was about to go when he noted his Servant trailing behind him still. [color=a36209]"Hrmmmm. Servant Rider... leave me for now. Go, introduce yourself to your... compatriots. It would not do for you to ahh, remain a stranger to your future comrades in arms eh? I will be safe alone... for now" [/color]

He added in a stronger telepathic voice [color=a36209]"Keep your ears open. I will want your assessment of any Servant you find noteworthy. Pay especial attention to any other Servant you think might be an Assassin. Stay away from the Einzbern, but discover all you can about her Servant. Stay away from Schweinorg... if you can..."[/color]