As the four of them strode through the canyon, folks on both sides gave them a wide berth and generally avoided eye contact. Kre assumed it was due to the presence of two of the largest and most dangerous looking men that these folks had ever seen, but some of the furtive glances and whispers gave Kre the indication that it might be Dain that scared them so.
“I heard Lawrence is going to be here,” Barry said to Beleg. “Not sure if he’ll actually come out of his somewhat retirement and compete, but it’ll be nice to see him again.”
Beleg grunted and shook his head, “Haven’t seen that muscle head in years. Wonder if he’s kept in shape.”
“I can’t imagine that man going one day without his thrice daily workouts.” Barry shrugged, “Then again, I also never guessed he’d leave the life.”
“I left the life,” Beleg said softly. “Did you ever guess that?”
Barry shook his head, “You didn’t leave. You just found a different way to go about it.”
“I’m out,” Beleg insisted. “You know that. You need to accept it.”
“Well,” Barry said with a twisted grin, “it won’t matter anyway. You’ll be dead by tomorrow night, if not earlier.”
“Will you two be silent,” Dain muttered. “And stop mentioning your desire to kill my man. It annoys me to have to think I’ll need to hire and train another.”
Barry tapped his fist to his chest and lowered his head, “Of course my lord. My sincere apologies.” Kre glanced up at him but didn’t see any hint of sarcasm or mockery in his response. The deference that the warrior gave to Dain was impressive and it made Kre wonder what exactly Beleg had told his counterpart about his “employer” to make his act in this manner.
“Master Dain,” someone said from ahead of them. “I had not expected you to attend such an event, but you are of course welcome.” A small, hunched over man stepped out of the shadows of a small crevice in the canyon wall and bowed low.
Dain inclined his head and sniffed, “I had not thought to attend myself, but that one insists that my hired man won’t survive the preliminary rounds, and I intend to ensure that I am in position to hire the fighter that kills him. Additionally, I am told that there will be other… distractions taking place in between bouts, and this intrigues me enough to leave my work.”
The small man smiled and gestured to someone behind him. “We shall ensure you have a seat of honor, as befits you. We shall also ensure that you are among those to discuss employment opportunities with the victors should the need arise.”
Dain nodded and gestured to Kre, “Go with the men and see to their needs. Once the matches start, return to me.”
Kre bowed low, just as the small man had, “Of course my lord.”
Two young ladies wearing thin brown robes stepped out from the crevice and curtsied to the group, their eyes downcast. The small man waved at one, “Master Dain, this one will show you to your place in the low caverns and be on hand to provide any refreshments you might need.” He shoved the other one towards Beleg and Barry, “You will take these three down to the small hall, where the trader has set up his displays.”