In Thomas’ expert hands the block of wax slowly transformed into a fair representation of the human form, the sharp knife easily shaving away at the material as the head, torso and limbs began to take shape. The Magus listened carefully to his Servant’s report as his hands worked away almost automatically, years of practise meaning he didn’t really need to focus until it came time to carve in the finer details. [color=aba000]“That’s good to hear Archer, though I do wish things would move along a bit quicker. The fact neither of us saw any sign of the other Master’s or Servants last night may mean that they are still taking things slow, but we can’t count on that continuing; we, or at least I, will be at a disadvantage once the fighting starts if we are not fully prepared.”[/color]

Preparation; that was the key to everything he did, the key to his Magecraft and the key to him winning this war. Thomas was no slouch in combat, his long years of study and practise made him more than adept at such things, but if everything went well then by the time he needed to fight his victory would already be assured; his dolls and his meticulous preparations would see to that.

Thomas set the partially finished figurine down on the table as the kettle began to whistle, the Magus standing up and brushing wax shavings off of his clothing before walking into the kitchen to pour two cups of tea. [color=aba000]“Can you get the paper Archer? There should be one outside the door to the suite if the bellboy has done his job. Perhaps something of note has happened recently that would suggest Servant or Magus involvement.”[/color] Maybe not the best lead to go by, but it was better than the nothing they currently had while they waited for Archer’s work to bear fruit.

[@PKMNB0Y]

****

[color=ed1c24][i]“The girl only suggested an alliance because she wasn’t prepared to fight; her motives are clear. Your motives for accepting are for more interesting to me.”[/i][/color] Rider took to his spirit form and followed his Master out of the apartment; the Servant would have preferred to keep his corporeal form but they had yet to procure any modern clothing for Rider to wear and nothing Kazamyr owned would fit him. To say his armour would attract unwanted attention was an understatement, though even if suitable clothing was available his face had been seen by far too many people for the general to feel comfortable risking his Master’s identity by association.

Listening to his Master explain his plan as they, or at least Kazamyr, walked gave the Servant some much needed insight into the Magus’ strategies; the Master had so far shown an unfortunately tendency to leave Rider in the dark as he schemed. [color=ed1c24][i]“I see. You plan to manoeuvre our ‘allies’ to our advantage while relying on their naivety to keep them from plotting against us in turn. Given what I observed last night I imagine the girl will allow you to take the lead in deciding any course of action, so it should be painfully easy to direct her to our benefit, though I don’t think Assassin will let her Master agree to anything that puts the girl in too much danger. It has the potential to work in concept, though its success depends entirely on the execution; I assume you believe yourself up to the task Master?”[/i][/color]

[@Anza]