After another few minutes of walking, they reached what could only be described as the darker portion of the market.
There were no longer any temporary stalls—only small, cramped buildings that blocked out any sunlight. Fewer people moved through the narrow passages between buildings and those who did were hidden by hoods.
Shady, Julian thought.
Seraphine moved closer to her father, her eyes scanning the surroundings with heightened alertness.
"Father," she said quietly, "this doesn’t feel like a rchant’s district."
"I noticed," Julian replied just as quietly. "Stay alert."
However, Skreek seed completely at ease. He waddled along as if this were the safest place in the world, occasionally waving to other rchants or residents who watched their passage with calculating eyes.
"Here we are! Here we are!" Skreek announced, stopping infront of one of the narrow buildings.
Skreek’s shop was... unimpressive. Weathered wood, scratches, marks and single closed window that suggested the interior was dark.
Above the door hung a sign and it was surprisingly well-maintained compared to the rest of the building. It depicted a coiled snake or dragon—difficult to tell which—with words under it in a language Julian didn’t imdiately recognize. But as he focused on them, he slowly understood what it ant.
"Skreek’s Shop - Rare Goods and Valuable Information"
"Welco, welco to Skreek’s humble establishnt!" The crocodile-man took out a key from sowhere in his vest and began unlocking multiple locks on the door. Julian counted at least five different chanisms—soone was very concerned about security.
"Not the grandest shop in Ezakael, Skreek admits," the rchant continued as he worked through the locks. "But very secure! Very private! Perfect for discussions that require... discretion!"
The final lock opened, and Skreek pushed the door.
"Please, please, co in! Make yourselves comfortable!"
Julian stepped to the threshold and peered inside. The interior was dark, as expected, lit only by the sunlight spilling through the open door. He could make out shelves lining the walls, shapes that might be display cases or storage boxes, but details were difficult to see in the gloom.
He glanced back at his daughters. All three were on high alert.
Julian made a decision. He trusted his own power—if this was a trap, he could get them out. And they needed the information Skreek had promised.
"Seraphine, you first," he said quietly. "Then Lyanna and Cassandra. I’ll co in last."
The three nodded.
Seraphine stepped through the doorway, her senses extended to their maximum. After a mont, she called back softly, "It seems clear."
Lyanna followed, then Cassandra, and finally Julian entered, pulling the door closed behind him.
"Light! Yes, need light! One mont!" Skreek’s squeaky voice ca from sowhere in the darkness.
There was a sound of movent, sothing scraping, and then—
Warm light filled the interior as Skreek lit several magical lamps positioned around the room.
Julian’s eyebrows rose slightly. This was not what he’d expected.
The interior was far more complex than the exterior suggested. The walls were lined floor to ceiling with shelves, each one packed with an collection of items. Julian’s eyes scanned them rapidly:
Ancient books with leather bindings. Sealed jars containing liquids or specins. Small boxes of various sizes, many locked with visible magical seals. Weapons—not common ones, but strange pieces. Jewelry displayed under protective glass. Maps and scrolls in tubes.
This wasn’t just a shop. This was a collection.
Skreek was clearly more than just a simple rchant selling information to travelers.
"Impressive," Seraphine said aloud, her eyes tracking across the various items. "This is quite a collection, Skreek. So of these pieces look quite old. Quite valuable."
The crocodile-man’s chest puffed up slightly with pride, his tail swishing happily behind him.
"Oh yes, yes! Skreek has been collecting for many years! Many decades! Items from before the isolation, items discovered in ancient ruins, items acquired from... various sources!" He gestured at his shelves. "Skreek deals in rare goods, you see. Things that can’t be found in normal markets. Things that people want but can’t obtain through regular channels."
"An illegal broker," Lyanna said bluntly. "You’re a broker for stolen goods."
Skreek’s eyes widened mockingly. "Stolen? No, no, not stolen! Acquired through alternative ans! Liberated from previous owners! Rescued from places where they were unappreciated!"
He waved one hand dismissively.
"Skreek asks no questions about where items co from, and Skreek’s custors ask no questions about where Skreek obtained them! It’s all very civilized, very professional!"
Cassandra was examining a display case near her, inside which sat what appeared to be a crystallized flower—perfectly preserved, glowing faintly with blue light.
"This is beautiful," she said softly. "What is it?"
"Ah! Good eye, beautiful lady!" Skreek waddled over, clearly pleased to show off his rchandise. "That is a Moonbloom—very rare! They only grow in certain magical forests, and only bloom once every hundred years! When properly preserved, they retain their magical properties! Worth a small fortune!"
He turned back to Julian with an expression that might have been a smile.
"But we’re not here to shop, are we? You wanted information, Sir! And Skreek will provide! Please, please, sit!"
He gestured toward a seating area in the corner.
Julian and his daughters moved to the seating area, arranging themselves defensively.
Skreek noticed their positioning and chuckled.
"Cautious! Very cautious! Skreek approves! Never trust anyone completely, especially not in the darker corners of markets!" He settled himself on a chair that seed specifically designed for his reptilian body structure. "Now then! What specifically does Sir want to know? Skreek promised information, and Skreek always delivers when properly paid!"
He patted the coin bags he’d secured sowhere in his vest, making them clink.
Julian leaned forward slightly, his expression becoming serious.
"Before we get to the recent troubles," he said, "I want to understand sothing fundantal. Why is the Hers Kingdom isolated? Why has it never opened its borders to other kingdoms?"
Skreek’s cheerful deanor vanished completely. His eyes narrowed, his tail went still, and his entire body language shifted.
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