Just the start

The tower master's face immediately changed. It only took one second for the accusatory tone of the other person to send him to the defensive edge.

"Is that so? Then let me ask you something. Are you only guiding him a little, or are you perhaps trying to do something else?" 

"Maybe you are pulling some threads in the shadows. Maybe you know about something, and you are not willing to accept it… Hmmm?" He threw the accusation right back.

With one guy glaring at the other, an uncomfortable silence filled the room. Finally, the old man from the blacksmith association broke this silence. 

"Crawford, ha ha ha. You take things too far, my old friend. I was only concerned about you. Well, never mind that. Shall we watch this contest together at least?"

The tower master frowned. He knew that the person in front of him was very shrewd, but he had nothing to say against such a straightforward request.