Through the doorway Jacob saw what appeared to be a store. He stepped through the doorway and allowed the astral bear arm to dissipate. The story was filled with bits and baubles of all kinds. His eyes hovered for a moment on what appeared to be a severed and dried out monkeys’ paw.

Upon another sweep of the room he saw what appeared to be a box of card on a pedestal under a light. Upon further inspection there was a plaque upon the pedestal that read, “Deck of Many Things”.

Jacob’s right eye began to twitch. His companions right behind him asked, “Do you know what this is?” To which he only responded, “We need to le…” He was interrupted however but the sound of clapping.

A tall athletic looking man with long brown hair tied back into a ponytail walked out from the back room, still clapping his hands slowly. He stopped in the doorway to the back of the shop, leaning against the frame. “It has been some time since I have had customers.”

“I’m sorry we were just…” “Leaving, were you? That is so sad. I was so looking forward to buying the secrets of another from…Earth.” The man simply smiled, as Jacob froze in place, stunned by what he had just heard.

“Who are you?” Jacob asked not even bothering to turn around, but before the man could answer he continued. “You must be a god or something of that sort. You give off a similar feeling to Hethara but it’s…different.” Jacobs instincts inherited from the great mother bear told him this was no mortal man.

The smile upon the man’s face only grew wider, before he gave a flourished bow. “I am Carthus. God of commerce, secrets, and contracts.” The god finished his bow before taking his place behind the shop counter. What would your names be?

They all reluctantly gave the god their names. Jacob hesitantly turned and walked up to the counter followed closely by the rest of his party. Upon a closer look the man’s eyes appeared to be every color, a fleck of this color here, a fleck of that there. “You mentioned you wanted to buy my secrets? What kind of secrets do you desire?” The god simply laughed for a moment, wiping a tear from his eye.

“Oh, my dear boy, this isn’t about what I want. This is about what you want.” As he said this, he waved his hand and lights he had not noticed before flicked on. The mid-sized room they had been in previously had its walls fall away revealing a great warehouse of various items that spread out in every direction. Including into where the alley outside the door should be.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

His party were awe struck. They began to wander off, while keeping within a dozen feet of another from the party. Jacob turned back to the god, “Pocket dimension. Nice touch.” The smile on the gods face waned becoming smaller and more forced.

“Are you unimpressed by the display?” Jacob’s face and voice feigned disinterest as he said, “No, it’s amazing. Top notch. 10/10. Would recommend.” The gods smile becoming less forced and more genuine at the mention of recommendation. “It is just that you seem disinterested.”

Jacob smiled at his unease and replied, “I thought as the god of commerce and contracts you would realize a good rule of thumb for such things is, never let the other side know how much you want something.” The look of relief that grew upon the gods face was priceless.

“Of course, of course. How silly of me. I am always caught of guard when people like you step through my door.” Jacob looked back at the door, “Can you confirm something for me?” “That depends on what it is. I may have to charge for such information.”

Pointing at the door he stated, “That door doesn’t lead only to that alley does it. Either the door moves, or it connects to several other doors in multiple locations.” Wider still his smile grew. “This information will be free as a curtesy. Yes, both are true actually. Feel free to spread it around.”

Jacob saw why this information would be free. “The more people who know of the doors, the more who seek them and you out.” Carthus finishing that thought, “The more people who find their way to me the more money and secrets that flow through my humble store.”

“You are a businessman, maybe I could interest you in a low risk high reward venture?” The god’s eyes lit up at the question. “Oh, I do so enjoy such things from people of your world. They always bring me the best ideas. They don’t always work out, but those that do pay off handsomely.”

“Has anyone proposed that you use undead for farming?” For a brief second the god let out an aura of hostility, he raised a single finger as if he were about to speak. However, all at once his eyes turned away from Jacob, the aura of hostility vanishing as fast as it had come. Jacob turned to his friends, who he had once more stunned into silence.

Jacob sensed them before he heard them knock. He felt the presence of another god beyond the door, then he felt another familiar god’s presence, Hethara. Carthus looked at the door as he heard the knock, “Come in. I’ll grab some chairs and a table from the back.”

The door swung open with the ringing of a bell and the tread of work boots upon the wooden floor. There stepping through the door was Hethara accompanied by an elven woman with long blond hair, and a wreath of golden light behind her head. She was dressed in flowing silks, her eyes having the same golden shine as her hair.

Hethara smiled and waved, her expression however was one of discomfort. The woman standing next to her looked upon him with her hands on her hips, and a face of mixed emotions.

The shelves in the entrance area began to float up, moving out of the way for the large table and chairs that floated out of the door from the backroom. Followed shortly by Carthus.