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The small yet foreboding little building looms before you like an angry beast. You've heard rumors of a shop that sold unusual, and sometimes unnatural, items but hadn't had the courage to look for yourself until now.
A light rain gently falls as if the dreary gray sky was weeping over some grand loss. You shiver and begin to climb the weathered steps. The porch is just as sad-looking with it's grayed wood and chipped white paint. You imagine this used to be a nice house back in its day.
The old-fashioned door seems to beckon to you. You move closer and take hold of the brass knob. Just as you're about to let yourself inside you notice something etched into the door frame. The letters are so tiny you're surprised you saw them at all. "Lathos" reads the tiny inscription. You just shrug and turn the knob to enter The Dragon's Hoard Curiosities and Antiquities.
A sharp musty smell stings your nostrils as you enter the old curiosity shop.
"Can I help you?"
The smooth baritone voice makes you jump. Turning around you see who you suspect to be the shop owner. He looks fairly young but his shoulder-length salt-and-pepper hair suggest he's at least middle-aged. In his burgundy suit and lacy ivory neckerchief he looks like he'd be more at home in a Victorian mansion than running a tiny store. You can't understand why but you find making eye-contact with him rather difficult.
Answering his question you simply tell him that you're only browsing. He nods courteously and walks behind the glass counter where he begins reading an old-looking volume of The Divine Comedy.
Your eyes scan the numerous shelves, tables and cabinets covered with odds and ends. Many are the typical items you'd find in such a shop. A music box, a cameo brooch, a family of sock monkeys, and the like. Then there are some of the more "odd" items: a taxidermied two-headed dog, a cherry-scented pillar candle with a small skull encased inside and a strange-looking plant whose flower seems to watch you as you move around the room.
A silver platter decorated with doilies and filled with sugar cookies graces a small table next to a little paper sign that reads "Free. Take one". You accept the invitation and take a cookie from the platter and begin nibbling on it trying to ignore its staleness. The shopkeeper glances up momentarily to see what you're up to but quickly returns to his book. For some reason the look he gave you sends a sudden chill up your spine but you try to ignore it and continue eying the bizarre merchandise.
As you stroll through the narrow aisles you come upon a stone wall with a rather large medieval-looking wooden door at the far end of the room. Curious, you reach for the iron handle.
Suddenly, a strong hand grips your shoulder. Startled, you spin around to see the shopkeeper glaring at you. His golden eyes bore holes into you like a hungry cat who has just cornered a mouse.
"That is for...elite customers only." he says with a sneer. That chill you felt earlier has suddenly spread throughout your entire body.
Then as if sensing your terror his features suddenly soften. "However..." he says. "I can let you see my more choice merchandise if you only know how to ask."
Your fear turns to confusion as you ponder what he could possibly mean. You doubt a mere "please" will do the job. Then you remember the odd word you saw carved into the wood outside. You decide to take a chance and blurt out "Lathos!"
The shopkeeper's grin fades into a grimace of annoyance. He was clearly hoping you wouldn't know his password.
Without uttering a word he pulls out an old-fashioned iron key and unlocks the door before pulling it open. A sharp draft rushes out like an imprisoned beast finally set free.
"Follow me." The shopkeeper's voice has become strangely hollow.
Ignoring the sick feeling in your stomach you obey.
Glade Sheeta
Fyreheart
