The shop looked exactly the same as last time. Vern couldn't tell if any of the goods in stock had changed.

The owner came into view a few seconds after the bell had announced Vern's arrival. He seemed much neater than last time, the hair combed and the beard trimmed. But his expression when seeing Vern remained sour.

»I've come to pick up my order«, Vern said, approaching the counter while Velvet looked around the shop.

»Oh, I thought you had already forgotten about it since it's been so long.«

›Velvet, please focus on the rear area. That's the interesting part.‹

»Well, you did tell me it would take a month for you to get«, Vern replied, watching Velvet pass by the shopkeeper, who grunted inaudibly.

»Ah, did I say that?«, he finally replied. »Can't quite remember … but I have your order here nonetheless … somewhere.«

He went over to a shelf behind him and started rummaging through it.

Vern didn't mind as it gave Velvet time to inspect every corner of this place.

›Did you find anything? What does it look like behind the door?‹

›Hmm, there isn't anything of interest, really. Just some furniture, a bed, and clothing. Nothing is hidden here, as far as I can tell.‹

›Okay, thanks. But keep looking. I am certain there is something there. I can't tell the exact location, but the direction should be correct.‹

He focused on the feeling that wanted him to go forward and tried to locate its origin. But it was odd and felt like it didn't belong to him in the first place, making it hard to gain any more clues.

When the shopkeeper turned around with a bundle of wrapped tissue, Velvet still hadn't found anything.

Vern sighed in disappointment and unwrapped the package on the counter. The man on the other side, however, seemed pleased hearing his resignation.

Beneath the cloth, five throwing stars came into view. They had a black coating, and Vern could tell at first glance that they were high quality.

He took off his gloves and picked one of them up, feeling its weight and doing some grip–testing. At least coming here wasn't a complete waste of time, he thought.

»Oh, that's a good-looking ring you have there«, the shopkeeper said. »May I have a look?«

»Hmm … sure, go ahead«, Vern handed the ring to the suddenly much more friendly man.

»So you have expertise in jewelry as well?«, he asked the man inspecting the ring.

»Hmm … somewhat. It's well crafted … a wedding ring, perhaps? Where did you get it from?«

»Not a wedding ring. I found it in a bailiwick. Do you think it is anything special?«

The man took his eyes off the ring just for a moment to glance at him. »Oh? You mean like an artifact or something? I don't think so. It's just a ring. But a very beautiful one at that. I know certain people who are interested in unique pieces such as this. Interested in selling it?«

»No.«

»You sure, I'll make you an excellent price and–«

»Hell, no!«, Vern interrupted. »I want it back now.«

The man still didn't fulfill his request, and Vern reached his hand far over the counter, with his other one hovering near his sword's hilt.

Suddenly, as he leaned on the counter, he felt a change in the feeling that had been calling him all this time. His eyes fixated on the other end of the wooden block near where the man stood. He hadn't thought about it before, but the counter was quite wide, so one could easily park lots of goods on there – and also in there.

›Velvet! Inspect the counter!‹

A few seconds later, the fox's figure appeared behind the man, and his head went into the counter.

Vern looked up at the man, who had followed his gaze and still stared at the spot Vern just had.

»Here you go«, he put the ring in Vern's open hand, his demeanor completely different. »Now leave. The shop is closed now. I have … important matters to attend to. Leave now!«

»Hmm, what about my change, though?«, Vern asked, waiting for Velvet's report.

The man stared at him grimly, but before he could respond, Velvet came out of the counter. ›You're right. There's a hidden compartment with a ring and a sword in it. It looks like a mana ring.‹

»I'll pass on the money if you show me what you're hiding under the counter«, Vern said and smiled.

»I don't know what you're talking about«, the shopkeeper replied and put some coins on the counter. His expression had stiffened to the point of unreadability. »Here's your change. Leave now.«

But Vern neither took the money nor left. Instead, he eyeballed the man intently.

»That's your last chance. I'll call the guards if you don't leave now«, he insisted and slowly moved towards a weapon's shelf near him.

»I don't mind«, Vern replied. »I wonder what those guards would say if they saw the mana ring you possess. I think you would have some explaining to do.«

The shopkeeper's eyes narrowed, and his gaze flickered from Vern to where Velvet stood. It was just for a fraction of a second but it was impossible not to notice.«

›See?‹, Velvet exclaimed immediately after. ›I told you that he looked at me last time!‹

›Yes … I saw it. Just be quiet and let me handle this.‹

»So, what do you want from me?«, the shopkeeper finally spoke up again.

»I told you. I just want to see what you're hiding in there.« Vern pointed at the counter.

The man groaned but followed Vern's command pulling out a black sword and a ring from beneath. He put them down directly in front of him, far away from Vern.

»You're going to sell that to me?«, Vern asked, but his tone indicated an order rather than a question.

He leaned forward, reaching for the ring. However, the shopkeeper reacted quickly, putting his hands in the way. »These aren't for sale. Besides, you're also not allowed to own this, are you?«, the shopkeeper replied. Then he put on the mana ring and sneered. »You better leave now, kid.«

But Vern didn't consider doing that in the slightest. Instead, he reached out his hand again, and this time he used his mana. It was too fast for the man to react, and he took the sword into his possession. I was the object he suspected the feeling originated.

As soon as his fingers enclosed the hilt, the sword exhibited a weak black and purple radiance around its blade. Both Vern and the man looked at it in surprise. However, the shopkeeper was the first to overcome his dace, and he grabbed a sword from a nearby shelf. He stared at Vern with a mix of confusion, hatred, and killing intent.

»Oh, wow. Calm down!« Vern almost stumbled back when he noticed the man's face. »I didn't mean to steal it.« He put the sword back on the counter, a little hesitant, as it fitted so perfectly in his hand.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

Immediately, the man pulled the vacant sword towards his side of the counter, but he didn't relax at all – to the opposite, he looked even more irritated.

Vern gulped, and his hand went towards his own sword, ready to defend himself if needed.

They just stared at each other for a few moments, with Velvet watching from the sidelines before the man spoke up.

»What the hell are you?«, he asked, a faint trembling in his voice.

»Hmm? What do you mean?.« Vern took a step back, trying to slowly increase the distance between them.

»Stop! Moving!«

Vern stopped. »I am Vern von Feuerstein. So you really don't want to harm me.«

»I know as much.« The man pointed at Velvet. »But why do you have this?«

»I don't know wha–«

»No!«, he interrupted, pointing the sword's tip in Vern's direction. »If you want to get out of here alive, you better stop lying.«

As he moved around the counter, Vern weighed his options one last time.

His opponent wore a mana ring, making him extremely dangerous even if he wasn't skilled. But by the way he moved his sword, Vern could tell he knew what he was doing, making neither fight nor flight a safe option. Talking his way out of it seemed to be the most viable strategy – at least for now.

»Please don't come closer«, Vern said, ready to draw his sword. »If you stay there, I'll tell you what you want.«

Now standing in front of the counter, about five meters away from Vern, he stopped. »Sure. But just know, if you attempt to run, I'll stab you in the back.«

Vern nodded, a little relieved that the man was somewhat reasonable.

»So, answer. Why do you have this thing there on you? To spy around in my shop?« He took his eyes off Vern to glare at Velvet, who tried to escape it by jumping away. But the man followed him with his eyes until he moved back into Vern.

»Err, yes. So that's kind of hard to explain …«

»Well, you better try your best. I have plenty of time, and you have too. Sit down over there.«

Vern looked at the chair in between the other goods.

»I'll close the shop, just so we won't get interrupted. So don't panic.«

The owner moved towards the door while Vern approached the chair, but they kept the same distance while their eyes stayed fixated on each other.

»So, what's your name?«, Vern asked, attempting to ease the tension. »I at least want to know who is holding me captive.«

»Well … you may call me … Durant«, he replied as he locked the shop's door.

»Nice to meet you, Durant. That's your real name?«

Durant didn't reply and came over to him instead.

»That's close enough«, Vern said, prepared to jump up and fight.

Durant stopped. »So tell me everything now.«

»I will, but please be more specific in your questions.«

»The fox.«

»Ah, yes. Some time ago, I went into a forest in the east. There is also bailiwick in there. And well, I met this fox, and it kind of … came back with me. Don't really know much more about it.«

»Why can you see it in the first place?«, Durant inquired.

»Oh, I don't know. But you can too, right? So why can you?«

»Hmph, I am the one asking the questions here! Why did you come to my shop?«

»You mean the first time? Well, I was just strolling around and went in here as well. I visited plenty of other shops before.«

»I don't think we're getting anywhere at this rate«, Durant said more threateningly again.

But Vern didn't flinch. »I don't know what you want from me. I am sorry that I touched the sword and all, but I didn't mean to steal it.«

Durant's eyes narrowed. »The sword … why did it do that when you touched it?«

»I don't know. I was as surprised as you.«

»Well, kid. I don't think you quite understand the situation you're in. At this point, I'll have to kill you just to make sure. I've only seen the sword do that in an Eldritch's hand.« He took a step forward.

»Wait, wait, wait!« Vern jumped to his feet and took a step back. »You know stuff about Eldritch Creatures?«

»Hmm, I wonder why that interests you …« He took another step.

Vern drew his sword and brought it between himself and his adversary. »Don't come any closer.«

Durant chuckled. »Kid, don't even try to resist. I've killed much stronger ones than you. So you better start telling the truth in the next few seconds, or I–«

»Ok, ok, I get it«, Vern interrupted. »I'll tell you for real. Just give me a second.«

Durant didn't reply and kept staring at him.

›Err, Velvet? Can you show other people parts of my memories?‹

›Yes, in theory, if they allow it.‹

»So, you might not believe it, but bear with me, ok?«, Vern started his explanation. »I had a life before this, and when I died, I traveled back in time, kind of. Well, my soul did and ended up in this body. I was killed when I went to the mountains in the north where the Eldritch were once defeated, and something weird happened there. So that might be the reason the swords react to me. Ah, and also that I can see Velvet, I mean the fox.«

Durant didn't look convinced by his story, but neither did he verbally object.

»I can show you some parts of my memories if you want. Maybe that will help …?«

To Vern's surprise, he nodded immediately. »Show me where you died.«

»Ok, wait a moment.«

›Velvet can you come out and show it to him?‹

›Hmm … I don't really want to, but I guess otherwise we might be dead, so …‹

Velvet materialized next to Vern.

»He will show you«, he explained to Durant.

»Don't think for a moment that I'll be distracted, you understand?«

He nodded, and Velvet slowly moved towards the man, putting his head next to Durant's.

Vern watched as his eyes unfocused for a split second before they fixated back on him.

Velvet hurriedly sought shelter in Vern's body while Vern waited for Durant to speak up, but he was clearly thinking about lots of stuff.

After a few minutes of silence, Durant walked over to the door and unlocked it. »You may leave now«, he said in a neutral voice. All the hatred and killing intent from early had vanished.

»Wait, what?« Vern couldn't believe that it would end like this.

›Velvet, how much did you show him?‹

›The last 30 minutes or so.‹

»Leave now. I still have things to do.«

»Yeah? But why are you so sure what you saw just now wasn't fake? And I also have some questions myself.«

»Well, I just know. I won't answer any questions. Leave and don't visit ever again.«

Now Vern was the one pointing his sword. »No, you will answer my questions. Otherwise, I'll make sure that you'll get detained for … threatening me … possessing a mana ring, or whatever.«

»You sure are an annoying little brat. But are you certain that you want to send people after me? To their deaths?« Durant walked back to the counter, raising his hand to show off the mana ring he was wearing. »And besides, let's not pretend. I can bring you into trouble too. If you leave now, I'll just forget this ever happened. Ah, and take your stuff with you, he pointed at the shurikens still lying on the counter.

Vern sheathed his sword and made his way over to pick them up, very slowly so that he could come up with a better strategy for extracting information. Apparently, threats weren't it.

As he took his purchase into possession, he turned to Durant, who wasn't even watching him. »You see, I really need some help. I want to destroy that thing in the north. So if you have any information that might be useful, I would greatly appreciate it.«

Durant looked at him again, dead serious. »No. Don't go there again. Didn't you see enough after what happened last time?«

»Well, I have no choice. The reason we went there in the first place was the expanding bailiwick threatening the nearby cities. So I'll have to deal with it if it's the cause.«

»No, just let it be.« He shook his head and sighed. »Just live your life here and ignore it. I'll doubt it will come all the way down here before you die of old age.«

»What kind of attitude is that? And why would you think that in the first place? You seem to know about it a lot more than you should just by the memories you saw.«

Durant shrugged. »Well, I've come around, hearing lots of stories, as you do being a dealer in antiques.«

»Please, don't do that to me. I've also told you my secrets.«

»Hahaha, that doesn't work on me. At this point, my heart is old, cold, and dead. Just leave and get on with your life already. Enjoy the company of your friends that all still alive, and don't risk that by doing something stupid.«

Vern vehemently shook his head. »I can't … you don't understand. I'll go there eventually, no matter what!«

Durant grimaced. »Well, I'll tell you some stuff I know if you promise me not to go there – and I think it will help you make that decision as well.«

»I can't promise th–«

»Yes. Just listen then, first«, Durant interrupted. »I'll tell you what you need to know.«

»So what about the sword? How did you get it?«, Vern asked, pointing at the now empty spot on the counter where it was before.

»No, I talk, and you don't interrupt me, understand?«

Vern agreed, but the question in his head kept multiplying.

»So … the stuff I know … I read it in a book. An old book I once got my hands on for some time. It was about the last fight of the Eldritch in the north against the heroes. You've heard about it, right?«

Vern nodded, and Durant continued. »Good. Then you know, the wrong story that says the Eldritchs were defeated, which isn't quite correct. In reality, in efforts to defend themselves, they succeeded in fusing their souls, creating an entity much stronger capable of taking over people's bodies.«

»So that's what possessed Alvyn and killed me?«

»Yes … err, I mean at least most likely. And you were also asking about the sword. Ignatius took this sword from an Eldritch before he attempted to seal the newly created entity in the mountain. And well, as we now know, it didn't hold forever.«

»Hmm, so what can we do about that?«

»The book didn't mention anything about it, so I guess nothing.«

»Hah, the book didn't mention it, you say …«, Vern mumbled, deeming his reasoning for knowing these things rather unbelievable.

»You said you saw the sword only do that in an Eldritch's hand when I took it. That's rather strange, considering you're claiming to have read all this in a book, no?«

»Hm? Did I say that? Well, you're probably misremembering it.«

»Do you really think this book explanation works for me? Considering your initial reaction and all?«

»Hmph, you're even more annoying than before. I don't care how you think I got the information I have, but believe me, it is accurate.«

Vern shrugged. »Eiter way, it doesn't convince me not to go there again after I've figured out how to kill it.«

»I … man … you're so stupid it annoys me. You can't kill it. So just stop trying already.«

»How do you know?«

Durant sighed in resignation. »Ok, I'll tell you. But if you relay that information to anyone else, I'll hunt you down and kill you no matter where you're hiding. Even if it's the last thing I'll do.«

Vern's eyes glinted with excitement. Now he was certain of finally getting something useful out of this conversation.