“A pleasure to meet you Mr. Chang. I look forward to serving you again in the future,” Baxter said.
I nodded in reply and headed back to the carriage. Once we were back inside Freddy gave the driver the next shop name and we were off. I won’t bore you with the repetition. Needless to say the next two stops were an almost identical experience. Fancy store, confident shop keeper, I choose a blade, and we were off. But Gizmo’s on the other hand, now that is worth telling you about.
CHAPTER 7
Marcopolis Furniture looked like the Pantheon on steroids. Baxter’s would have easily fit inside of it at least twice. On top of five giant marble steps sat two-dozen pillars, each one easily fifty feet high. The massive pediment on top was ornately carved and painted in striking colors. The main structure was square-ish, but had artistically rounded corners to give the impression of a circular building without actually being one. Two beautifully crafted wooden doors stood as high as the pillars and opened wide enough for twenty men abreast to walk through. A dozen of the glowing orbs surrounded the entrance, bathing it in soft light and welcoming us in. I was actually excited to see what the inside looked like. But that wasn’t where we were heading.
To the left of the entrance, carved into the side of the stairs and mostly hidden from street view was a small narrow opening. It wasn’t until we were practically on top of it that I could tell it contained twenty steps leading down into the basement. There were no signs or markings of any kind to tell you where you were going. I assumed Gizmo’s survived on word of mouth. At the base of the stairs a small orb of light was struggling against the darkness, its glow barely enough to illuminate our decent down. Normally I’d take the lead when heading into something called a dungeon, but Freddy’s exuberance was too fast for me. Before I could even suggest taking point he had skipped down half the steps.
I met him at the bottom and faced a faded red door. There was a large brass knocker, one of those hefty rings that require effort to lift for striking. Freddy took a long breath to calm his excitement before knocking. We waited a bit and I was about to make a joke about no one being home when I heard heavy steps approaching the door. I didn’t know what to expect, but they sounded big. We heard the lock turn and the door opened to reveal, someone.
I was kind of awestruck. There was a weird energy here, almost a power of presence that I could feel in the air. She looked like a much larger version of the fauns of myth. Standing close to ten feet tall, she towered over us. On the sides of her head, two large, reddish, ram horns curled out in imposing fashion. Pointed ears stuck straight out of her thick brown hair. Her skin was copper in color, except for the black around the tip of her nose. Although her facial features were sharp and her eyes were a bit oversized, her face still seemed somewhat human. Her dark eyes were both warm and calculating. There was a great intelligence peering back at us.
She wore a long blue robe that had an Asian flair to it. It was silk with black frog knots running down the side. The robe stopped just below her knees, letting us see her brown furry legs and hoofed feet. She held a long thin pipe in her hands and brought it up to her mouth to take a puff. Smoke slowly rolled out of her nose as she spoke to us, “Greetings.”
Her voice was deep and rich and thick in the air. The words rolled across our ears, as if they had a weight to them. It was almost hypnotic. It was somehow soothing and powerfully frightening at the same time. Freddy gave a small respectful bow before responding.
“Our warmest greetings to the Rose Horn. We are seeking an item I believe you have within your inventory. Do you possess a Blade of Shifting sands you would be willing to sell us?”
The Rose Horn took another small puff on her pipe before rolling her words over us again, “I have such a blade in my possession,” she paused, looking us over for a moment, “A deal can be struck. Feel free to look around while I retrieve it.”
She turned with a majestic flair and headed deeper into the shop, an unseen barrier retreating as she did. It was almost as if the very force of her will had been holding us at the door until she left. Once we finally stepped inside, I got a chance to really take the place in. An absolute mess was the first thing that came to mind. It had twelve-foot ceilings, but felt smaller and much more intimate thanks to the massive piles of stuff crammed into every corner. A few dim orbs were scattered around the shop. They glowed just bright enough for us to make our way around without tripping. But they were barely enough light to view the merchandise clearly. I guess shops like this are why they rent lanterns at the entrance to J Street.
The store didn’t really have isles as much as it had pathways curving through the piles of junk. Freddy started off to the right and just to be different I headed to the left. There were books, large framed pictures, chairs, vases, weirdly carved sticks, old rugs, empty cages, and just about anything else you could think of stacked on top of each other. I wondered if this shop was of similar dimensions to Marcopolis above, but the crammed piles and dim lighting made it nearly impossible to tell its true size. Heck, I couldn’t even be sure that we were the only people in here. And I was trying real hard to forget about the stacks of empty cages I kept passing as I roamed. It was anyone’s guess as to what might be running loose in this place.
My first instinct was to dismiss everything as junk, but the more I looked around the more I realized I was wrong. I don’t know how to explain it, but each item was obviously something worth selling. Although the stacking appeared haphazard, it was definitely done with enough care that nothing seemed damaged. Aged and well worn and completely covered in dust, but not broken. This place felt like something Hollywood might make up. The mysterious shop of wonders where the main character finds something otherworldly. It felt ancient and special and unique. I’d never experienced anything like it. The sense of childhood wonderment overtook me and I increased my pace, touching and examining everything.
I came across rusted blades that appeared to be a thousand years old, a few of which even looked Japanese in origin, my favorite. I found myself compelled to open an ancient wooden chest, its surface covered with carvings of the tarot suits, the cups, wands, swords, and rings. Inside were simple blankets, old and musty. Not at all what I was expecting. But I wouldn’t be dissuaded. I was like a kid in a candy store. I wanted to open everything and discover what lay hidden inside.
I opened three hatboxes, the first two contained teapots and the third a top hat destined to bring Frosty to life. There was a dusty old taxidermied creature on its hind legs, standing a head taller than me, and if the teeth and flat tail were any indication, it was a giant beaver. Apparently they were capable of growing to the size of bears. I kept walking towards a dark corner because obviously that’s where the real cool stuff would be hiding.
There was a high backed chair, weathered but still very fancy. It was the kind of thing a king might sit in and it just beckoning me over. I plopped down and coughed as the dust rose all around me. I waved my hands around trying to dissipate the cloud and managed to put my left arm through a huge cobweb. The first image that flashed through my mind was all the empty cages in the shop. I instantly leapt to my feet, ready to fight whatever giant spider had escaped them. After a few moments it was clear I was being paranoid. I valiantly attempted to wipe the dusty cobweb off of my arm and failed. Somehow my efforts only managed to get the whole mess stuck to the leather band of Vlad’s skin around my wrist. I finally gave up and decided it would fall off when it was good and ready. Spider webs are the worst. I sighed and continued wandering through the shop.
I found a few helmets big enough to be worn by trolls and a suit of armor designed for a Centaur. She should sell that to the Cloppers. There were piles of Persian rugs that all looked like they should be able to fly. However, sitting on top of one and yelling “into the air” didn’t seem to do anything. Then I found myself drawn to a sound up ahead. It was a whistle like singing so beautiful it bordered on the supernatural. The sound emanated from a particularly dark space
, tucked into a corner. I approached cautiously and once I got closer I noticed a cloth covering a small cage. It wasn’t perfectly draped over the top, leaving an opening big enough for me to see a bit of brown and white fur. I slowly reached forward, about to pull back the cloth so I could get a better look when the Rose Horn spoke up.
“Please do not. He is very sensitive to light,” she said.
Again her words moved with power. She sounded very polite and calm, but there was a commanding in her voice that almost forced me to listen.
“My bad,” I replied, holding my hands up.
I wasn’t entirely sure how I’d ended up here, but somehow through my wanderings I’d found the stores center. Or at least where the counter was. Freddy and the Rose Horn were discussing the price of a curved sword, a khopesh, old Egyptian style. The sword’s blade was beautiful, looking as if it was made of glass, bits of sand shifting back and forth inside. It was almost hypnotic to watch, the sand moving like it was swaying in a current. I thought I was about to wield the world’s deadliest snow globe.
Freddy and the Rose Horn nodded as they agreed on a price and most of my briefcase was emptied. The khopesh was wrapped up in a faded blue cloth and presented to Freddy. He gleefully accepted the sword with the exuberance of a puppy being offered a treat. I couldn’t help but laugh. Then I smacked my hands together a few times, casting dust into the air and showing the Rose Horn that her shop clearly needed a good cleaning. Most of the giant cobweb was gone from Vlad’s band. The last remaining bits stubbornly clinging around the edge by my wrist.
“Any chance you have a towel or something so I can clean this off?”
“There is no need. You may keep it. No charge,” she smiled, eyes wide.
I really wanted to snap back with something witty and sarcastic, but again her voice weighed upon me and all I could offer was “Thanks.”
I looked over at Freddy to see if he had anymore to say, but he was captivated by the sword and completely lost in his own world. His face was flush with happiness and it was clear he was struggling to keep his composure in the store. He looked back up at the Rose Horn and bowed several times and poured on the thank yous. I offered thanks and followed Freddy toward the door. I figured he was far more likely to find it than I was. Once we were back at the base of the stairway, the door closed behind us of its own accord. I gave it a funny look before we headed up the stairs. Once we reached the top Freddy turned to me, clearly unable to contain his excitement anymore.
“Can you believe we got an original Khafra?” Freddy exploded.
“No?”
He stared at me for a bit, trying to figure out if I was serious or not. Clearly Freddy thought I’d know who that was. I shook my head to make it clear I had no idea what he was talking about and he went into full Freddy.
“Khafra, the Egyptian Pharaoh who built the second largest Pyramid at Giza. He is also mistakenly credited with building the Sphynx, but obviously that is not true.”
“Obviously,” I offered as if I understood.
“Khafra, who undoubtedly worked closely with the earth elementals to help with construction, was also one of the first crafters of Shifting Sands weapons. They say it was his obsession growing up. Perhaps because he watched his father, Khufu, use an army of elementals to help build the great pyramid. There are many conflicting reports about the tensions between the Egyptians and the elementals who were helping to construct their great monuments. Khafra worried the elementals were too strong to be controlled, so he worked with a powerful wizard of the time to created a weapon against them. Hence the Sand Shifter was born.”
“So, we got a really good one?”
“We got a masterpiece,” Freddy sighed.
In that moment I realized how I could thank Freddy for his help, “Well that’s good to hear. Once this is all over I’m sure it will look amazing on your mantle.”
“I…I could not even…that is not…I mean I would be honored but…” Freddy stumbled.
“Relax my friend, you’ve more than earned it. Besides, I have to survive these fights before we have to worry about that huh?”
“Do not even joke about that BD, of course you will be victorious. We are a great team.”
His smile was so hopeful I couldn’t help but agree, “Yes we are my friend.”
Freddy’s huge smile got bigger and he patted me on the shoulder in an awkward sign of friendship before heading towards the carriage.
“Hey, are we gonna talk about that Rose Horn person at all?”
“Yes, the Royal Faun are truly impressive, are they not? Very few remain,” he trailed off, his attention completely focused on the sword.
It was clear he was so captivated by the sword that I wouldn’t get anything else out of him right now. So, I followed him back to the carriage and we were off. After a few minutes we were back where the day started, at the entrance to J Street. We paid the driver and collected our bounty. Freddy had acquired a nice satchel that held all of the weapons and I slung it over my shoulder. Waving at the Cloppers as we passed, we headed back down the great steps and through the tunnels all the way to the garage and Freddy’s car. I tossed the satchel into the backseat and hopped into the car.
“Thanks again Freddy. I really appreciate your help with this.”
“It was my pleasure BD. I am always happy to help a friend,” he blushed.
Freddy started the car and we were off to my house. He was about to meet Vix and I had no idea how I felt about that. I mostly stared out the window as Freddy drove. He was still talking to himself about Khafra and seemed very content. After a while we were finally pulling up outside of my house.
CHAPTER 8
As I’ve described before, my house is a two-story number with plenty of land. My neighbors are closeby without being right on top of me. An army of mature trees surrounds my property giving me a ton of privacy. Probably an asset when I have women sneaking past my security system all the time. Freddy parked in the driveway and I decided we’d go in through the garage so I could say hi to Vlad. I patted him on the hood and wished him well. I knew he was in a deep healing sleep and he wouldn’t be able to respond, but still I caught myself hoping he’d say hi. I almost thought I felt the slightest sensation in my leather band, and I paused hoping Vlad would say something. But sadly he remained silent. Freddy offered an understanding smile, clearly not knowing what else to say.
We headed into the house and I started to yell “honey I’m home” when something made me pause. I couldn’t tell you exactly what, but something was off. I held up my hand to Freddy letting him know to stop. A quick finger to my mouth made it clear he was to remain silent as I investigated. My footfalls made no noise as I made my way through the living room and past the kitchen. There was a small library down the hall and I was pretty sure someone was inside. As I got closer, I thought I could make out light sobbing. I peered around the corner and in through the open door to see Vix sitting up on my desk, crosslegged, her body hunched over the pictures she was holding.
She barely flinched as I walked up and put my arm around her. She leaned into me and I glanced at the pictures in her hands. They were a series of photos showing her parents in a dungeon somewhere. Her folks were chained to the wall, their clothes torn and dirty. In a few of the photos you could make out a pair of Rottweiler’s chained to the other wall, just out of reach. It looked like a very unpleasant experience. I pulled the pictures gently out of her hands and laid them on the desk, pulling her head into my chest.
“Someone came by?”
“Taped to the back door,” she whispered.
I started to pull away and she held on tighter. I comforted her the best I could, but I wasn’t happy about someone knowing she was here. From this point on she wasn’t staying behind. She was with me until this thing was over. I kissed her on the head and calmed her enough to pull free so I could look the house over. She understood my worry and tried to alleviate my fears.
“They’re long gone,” she
tried.
“All the same, it will make me feel better if I look around.”
She nodded and I left her there in the library and made my way back to the living room. Freddy was still standing perfectly still, as instructed. I smiled to let him know I appreciated it.
“I think we’re clear, but I’m going to look things over to make sure. Feel free to relax here, I’ll be right back.”
“Understood.”
I checked the whole house from the attic to the basement. Made sure the windows were all locked, the security system wasn’t damaged, and everything was right where it should be. Finding nothing out of place, I headed out onto the deck to look the back yard over.
As I said before, my yard has plenty of privacy. Someone could have easily made their way through the trees out back and approached my house without being seen. I didn’t find any signs of passage, but it hadn’t rained lately and my lawn was recently mowed so there weren’t footprints or broken twigs or anything obvious I could see. Honestly, that was more Erika’s expertise anyway. I was mostly faking it. I scanned the entire perimeter looking for peering eyes and found none. But I had a sinking suspicion that we were being watched. If that were the case, it also meant they now knew Freddy was helping us. It was possible I’d just put him in the crosshairs as well. That was a disturbing thought. I didn’t like people endangering their lives to help me.
“Looks clear,” I said to Freddy as I walked back into the living room, “but I’m betting the house is being watched. They probably know you’re helping me pal. There’s a chance I’ve put you in danger. It might be best if you just head back to the safety of GHOST HQ until this thing is done.”
G.H.O.S.T. Teams (Book 3) Spirits Page 7
