[color=aba000]“I suppose we will be visiting the more disreputable parts of town then. Perhaps we can put the criminal element here to use in finding the other Masters; it would make up for my lack of familiars.”[/color] Checking his pockets one last time, mostly to ensure his poppet was in place, Thomas opened the door to the suite; he let Archer leave ahead of him before following and locking the door. A short hallway led them to the elevator which Thomas called for, entering when it arrived and pushing the button to take them to the ground floor. The elevator proceeded without interruption; at this time of night no other guests were trying to use it. As they descended the Magus could feel the moment they crossed the boundary of the bounded field he had established, the field covering the entire top two floors of the building and much of the space around it, signalling the moment they were no longer protected.

[color=aba000]“How adventurous are you feeling tonight Archer? We could simply take a walk around town and see what we find but if we truly hope to catch sight of one of our opponents we will have to take risks; go to the places the other Magus are likely to be and hope that they do not take us for anything more than what we present ourselves to be. At this early stage the other Masters will still be seeking to announce themselves to the Executioner, but we risk revealing ourselves if we are seen at the church at this late hour.”[/color]

As they reached the ground floor the elevator announced their arrival with a ding before the doors opened. Thomas stepped out first before stopping and turning back to face his Servant. [color=aba000]“You are more experienced in these matters than I. What would you suggest we do first?”[/color]

[@PKMNB0Y]

----

Rider tensed as both Assassin and her Master rose to face him, the Servant summoning her sword to her hands and the young woman placing a hand on the rather more mundane weapon by her side; the warrior widened and lowered his stance, turning slightly and raising the shield to cover more of his body, the grip on his scimitar tightening as he readied himself. Assassin accepted his challenge, taking her own stance, apparently preparing to fight him head on; this was counter to his expectations and immediately Rider began to reassess the situation. This Servant did not look uncertain in her abilities with a sword, though that could be a façade designed to make him hesitate it was something to consider.

A moment after speaking Assassin looked suddenly unsure, speaking over her shoulder to her Master in a voice too low for Rider to hear. Her Master’s answer however, he could hear. [color=ed1c24]“Are you suggesting an alliance?”[/color] It wasn’t said outright, but the suggestion was there; to form a partnership that would allow them to defeat opponents they couldn’t defeat by themselves. If that was indeed what she was suggesting, then Rider would reject it. Assassin was often a Servant who was weak in direct combat, but left unchallenged could become a threat that hung over the heads of every Master in the war. Even just a pact of non-aggression would benefit them for more than he and his Master. Better to remove the threat now.

However, he would not be the only one to make that decision. Ultimately it was his Master’s choice as well and no doubt he was listening to this conversation through his familiar. He would have to wait and see what he thought of this as well, before giving his answer.

[@VitaVitaAR][@Raineh Daze]