Crystallis Verdantglass's Arc

Chapter 12 of 18

Crystallis was still writing names when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned. The woman from Thornwick stood a few feet away, her expression unreadable. Beyond her, the buyers were moving toward the hall entrance, talking among themselves. A man stepped through the archway. He wore expensive traveling clothes and carried a leather satchel. Around his neck hung a brass pendant covered in moss, its face engraved with coordinates and dates. The woman tensed. Crystallis recognized him immediately—the venue administrator from Thornwick. The man smiled and walked toward the buyers, extending his hand to the nearest one. "Welcome to Kettle Fen," he said smoothly. "I see you've found our new marketplace." The woman grabbed Crystallis's arm. "He's here to pull the same scheme again," she whispered. "He'll pretend to support your venture, then sabotage it when the deposits come through." Crystallis closed his journal. The buyers were talking with the administrator now, nodding politely. If Crystallis confronted him, the administrator would deny everything and poison the buyers against him. If he stayed silent, the man would work his way into the operation and destroy it from within. Crystallis walked straight to the group and stopped in front of the administrator. "These buyers are here for enchanted glass," he said clearly. "Not venue management." The administrator's smile didn't waver. "Of course. I'm simply greeting our guests." He gestured toward the hall. "Though I should mention—structural concerns may delay your opening. We'll need to discuss repairs." Crystallis turned to the buyers. "The hall opens tomorrow morning at nine. First demonstration starts at half past." He looked back at the administrator. "Any structural concerns can be addressed after that." The administrator's smile tightened. He nodded once and walked away. The woman exhaled. "That won't stop him." Crystallis watched the man disappear into the fog. "No. But now the buyers know I'm running this marketplace, not him." He opened his journal again and finished writing the last name.