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

[color=olive]"I have always believed there are seldom few ways to get an exchange flowing better then with mankind's greatest alchemic creation."[/color] 

Walgrave accepted the wine offered and threw it back with a stiff mechanical motion. He almost fancied he could taste the fruit. It was nonsense of course, nothing but a pavlovian response to the action of drinking that dredged up distant memories from his early days. Nevertheless his felt his spirits lift after a fashion. With a chair finally under him his patience for conversation had turned from its former nadir and was swiftly approaching an optimum. 

[color=a36209]"Hrmmmmm. An Alchemy to be appreciated. You will have to... forgive my haste in attempting to reach you. An Assassin after all, is not one to stay around in the open and ahhhhh... allow itself to be identified easily. Not once it has had the time to conceal itself."[/color]

He studied the green suited Magus more closely. The man was quite well dressed, tastefully so, and with a mild pleasant bearing that suggested a well honed poker face. There was openness there, but distance as well. Walgrave found both encouraging. The man was neither nervous nor arrogant which was a pleasant change from typical Magi company. That he had summoned such a dignified and posh looking Servant, one who he noted could be little other than a fine English gentleman was only icing on the cake here. This was someone he could at least more or less understand.  

[color=a36209]"As for the need to speak with you, don't pretend to be naive."[/color] He muttered softly. Carefully he turned, glancing this way and that to make sure their was no one else near before he continued. [color=a36209]"This company is of course gathered on behest of Schweinorg. For now we lay under his sharp eye, and are safe... but Zelretch has been haunting the halls of the Clock Tower since long before either of our grandfathers were born. He has no real aversion to backstabbing and treachery. He has been breathing them for all those years he has held the title of Wizard Marshal. This is why among all the Magi Lords it is he who has the most noted propensity for destroying his own apprentices once they have...ah... served their purposes." [/color]

Walgrave broke off into a fit of dry coughing. He had not spoken this much in a very long time and it showed, his voice becoming progressively more thin and raspy.  

[color=a36209]"We are banned from competition because for now we have produced no results. Once our goals have begun to be achieved... you will be wise to watch your neighbor. You would be wise to plan for such eventualities even now. Especially with an Assassin Servant..."[/color]

Walgrave paused and turned to give Assassin a small almost apologetic bow.


[color=a36209]"A Master of Assassin stands on [i]precarious[/i] ground. Even when cooperating his Servant wil get no love from the others of his kind. Proud warriors will see any victory of Assassin as stealing their glory. The other Masters will never know if they are truly safe from him. In a war where all are standing side by side the Master of Assassin will be the one left standing alone, whether or not the other Masters make it obvious."  

"Your most wise course is to make a deal. Join forces with me long term. I am a skilled hand at bounded fields, these defenses will be contributed to your quarters along with the general assurance of my Servants strength. When the time does come when these young bloods begin to fight amongst themselves you will be secure. In return I will be spared the... attentions, of your genteel Servant when these circumstances arise. You will be able to deploy him, for our mutual benefit, without fear of vulnerability in his absence. As I said, if you accept my.... hrrn, generous proposition, I will give you and any of your family or associates who ask for it my recommendation for applied positions within the Clock Tower. I am... not unknown by the Noble Families there. In terms of funds I am willing to promise 60,000 Pounds up front as a small token of friendship. Any further we may discuss at a latter time after the fruit of our alliance begins to develop." [/color]

Leaning back slightly Walgrave took another drink, this one longer and less forced than his original. He might not be able to taste anything but the cool sensation of wine flowing down his throat was gratifying after the long speech. He surveyed the green suited Master's polite expression with his own dull stern gaze and awaited his reply.