Stoneweaver

Stoneweaver - Chapter 5

The expected visitor arrived in the middle of the morning, his stride down the corridor surprisingly open. Then a rapping came on the door. Kreddick waited a few moments, but his visitor appeared willing to wait. He'd been expecting something more forceful, judging by the reception on the docks.

"Come."

The handle turned, and the door swung slowly open, but his guest remained standing just outside as his eyes swept the room, taking in Kreddick lying on the bed, his blade on the coral table next to the bed, and the bag of gems lying next to it. Apparently satisfied no immediate threats awaited him, the man, barely more than a boy, really, returned his attention to Kreddick. Entering, he offered a faint bow. "Danath," he introduced himself as he closed the door, leaning against the wall next to it.

"Kreddick." He didn't bother sitting up. His guest seemed at ease, with no hint of nerves. More curiosity than anything else. But his movements were measured, certain, and he had the air of a trained fighter about him. And a pouch at his belt which indicated he had the gift of Stoneweaving. Thortus would have all in Melmyrn with the gift working for him. Kreddick would have had little trouble identifying him as Thortus' champion duellist, even had he not already known.

"How are you enjoying our city?"

Why the smile? It seemed genuinely amused rather than intended to intimidate as this kind often used it. "It seems a very friendly place. First the warm welcome on the docks, and now your interest in my visit."

"What can I say, we're friendly folk."

"Yes, your men on the docks seemed almost ready to invite me into their own homes."

"Ha." The barked laugh seemed genuine, and Danath's smile widened. He was enjoying this. "Oh, believe me, we'd never dream of inflicting such filth and depravity on a welcome visitor."

"So have I done something to arouse your curiosity?"

"Curiosity?"

"Do you welcome all visitors so warmly?"

"We try to," Danath shrugged. "But this is a busy place, so you're just the lucky recipient of our attention at this time. As to curiosity, I'm afraid it's never been one of the vices I've indulged. Other ones are so much more enticing."

"I'm overwhelmed. But really, I feel like I'm depriving your other visitors of your gracious attention."

"Think nothing of it."

"But I do."

"Which only shows you to be deserving of such attention."

Was he actually going to be getting to the point of the visit? Whether it was fishing for information, or trying to run him out. Kreddick waited in silence.

Danath seemed amused by the move. But then he seemed permanently amused. His eyes drifted towards the pouch as he spoke. "So what is it you do, Kreddick?"

"I travel."

"Anywhere interesting."

"Anywhere's interesting if you look at it right."

Danath did another sweep of the, admittedly not-that-interesting, room, before giving a sceptical look. "I'll take your word on it. So what do you do to support yourself?"

"This and that."

"Those being...?"

"Occasionally profitable."

The boy held his gaze, and Kreddick thought he'd finally worked out what he could see there. He saw this as another kind of duel. Okay, he was more interesting than the thugs on the dock, but he was also more dangerous. But at the moment he had no reason to be openly aggressive, and didn't seem inclined to.

"So are you a Stonefighter, or do you just like carrying around a bag of precious gems?" So he'd moved on from the exploratory jabs.

Kreddick glanced across at the pouch, as though surprised by its presence. "Oh, those. I dabble a bit, but I'd hardly call myself a Stonefighter."

"Oh, I'm sure you're just being modest. We should really spar sometime."

"I don't spar," Kreddick said.

Danath's smile didn't slip. "Then we should fight."

"Now why would we want to do that?"

A shrug. "Have you got any exotic stones in there? I'm sure if you've travelled widely you must have come across some interesting ones."

"No, they're pretty much just the standard, boring ones. You know... stone, metal, plants..."

"Pretty much, then. So what're you hoping to do in our beautiful city? Anything we can do to make your stay pleasant, just say the word."

"Thanks, but I'm just here to meet someone. I'm a bit early though, so I'll probably take in the sights a bit while I wait."

Danath glanced at his prone form. "Well then I hope you enjoy your stay. And if you need anything, anything at all, just ask around and someone'll be able to point you in my direction." He offered another faint bow.

"Much obliged," Kreddick watched him leave the room, turning away but with his eyes never quite losing sight of the bed. His footsteps departed as openly as they'd arrived.

Well, that was different. He hadn't the open pride other champions usually displayed. Probably not that easy to anger, either. Confident enough, and his movements indicated a dangerous fighter with whatever weapon, he'd probably be better avoided unless Kreddick could get to see him in an actual duel, to better gauge his abilities.