Chapter 4: What Dean’s pub really is (part 3)

“Who on the world want to sell and buy them?” squealed Amelinda.

“Many of people.” said Dean seriously, “Many people want to buy and many people want to sell. You may not know but not all of people coming to Hippocoon land are accepted by scepters and not all of people who are accepted like their own scepters and they are the people who come to us to order for a scepter or change their scepters. On other the hand,” Dean lowered his head looking pass his round spectacles on Amelinda who was going in row with him, “Some people have more than a scepter. We don’t care that how they get the scepters they can inherit, usurp or steal. We always buy scepters whenever people bring them to us.”

“You said some people are not accepted by any of scepters. Can it happen?” asked Heracles.

“Yes, it really can happen. As you know each scepter have own personalities. They will choose themselves the people they want to accompany. No one knows exactly even scepter makers but people believed that scepters can contact to souls of people who touch on them. The souls weak, too cowardice or too cruel will not be accepted.” Dean explained.

“It’s too dangerous if cruel people are accept by scepters right?” ask Amelinda.

“Honestly, I don’t care much about it.” said Dean, “All people are my clients if they can pay. Anyway, changed scepters are no longer perfect.”

“What do you mean when you say changed scepters are no longer perfect?” said Amelinda excitedly.

“Any scepters changed will become defective scepters. There always have problems with them.”; “Here we come,” said Dean loudly. He stopped in front of a long and high wooden shelf. A lot of magical stones in different shapes were put there. They spread out other lights around themselves. Small and less bright magical stones were put on low positions while the big and bright were put on higher positions.

“There have different magical stones. You have to have some kinds of them to make a shifting -circle. Those magical stones are used to…” 

Dean spent time introducing them each kind of magical stones, guiding them how to use. Later, he helped them choice quality magical stones, nice looking and bright. They received them, stored into their space rings then Heracles took out his pocket, gave Dean some lighting coins. Dean received the coins then led them back. When they passed middle of the chamber, Dean stopped and hinted Heracles and the others to see some items at there.

“Do you want any of them?” suggested Dean turned to them, “They are good items, think some of them are useful for your journey.”

Heracles took a look on the stuff. They were the things they had seen as they walked in, knives, swords, axes, armors and shields and some small other items. They were classified put neatly on a long table as high as their hips. 

“I think this item may suitable with you, Amelinda. Wait me a moment.” said Dean. He hurriedly rummaged small items in front of him then later took out a silver necklace with a small crystal gem. “We call it the Aphrodite Tear chain. Do you see it the gem. It looks like teardrop, bright and beautiful. You can dress it as like jewelry but in reality it’s a shield. Whenever you get in danger, a light shield will appear, surround and protect you inside.” He added, gave Amelinda the necklace to take a look. Then he turned to Gwen and Heracles. 

“You boys also should choose yourselves something. Some will suitable to you. Just choose yourselves things you want.” he said.

Gwen and Heracles hesitated. They looked at the others a little. Then Heracles turned to Dean.

“My scepter is enough. I don’t need anything more.” he said firmly.

“Oh – so you will not choose anything.” said Dean, turned to Gwen, “What about you Gwen? Do you want something?” he added.

Gwen kept silent in seconds then for some reason, he started speaking.

“Honestly, I always like to have items which can transform. I mean about items which can turn small, turn big or turn into other shapes. I like to see them transform. Do you have any here?” said Gwen excitedly.

“You must very lucky boy. I have an item like you want here.” said Dean with a big smile. He grabbed on a metal shield. “It can change depending on your thinking. There have few shapes it can transform, a ring for you to wear on your finger, a sword for you can use to attack others and this current shape, a shield for you to protect yourself.” he added, gave the shield to Gwen.

Gwen gabbed on it. “Does it have name?” said Gwen.

“We don’t name it but you can do it latter.” said Dean.

“I will but I have to try it first.” said Gwen excitedly. He grabbed the shield tightly in his hand focusing his mind. Then the shield suddenly transformed into a ring staying neatly on his thumb. “Amazing!” he screamed, “Do you see it.” he added, turned to Heracles.

“Yes, I see. The shield just transforms into the ring.” said Heracles.

“It’s so amazing.” squealed Amelinda right after that.

Dean smiled. “Do you like it?” he said, looking on Gwen.

“Of course, I like it but wait me a while. I want to try it more time.” said Gwen. He focused on the ring. The ring suddenly transformed again. The time it turned into a sword. Gwen tightened it in hand, swung few times then stopped. He focused his mind again and agai it made the item turned into shield then ring and then sword again and again. He did it about dozen of times before he stopped, turned to Dean.

“Can it change into other shapes?” he asked.

“As I know, it only has three shapes. However, I will be very happy if you can find the way to make it change into other shapes.” said Dean, smiled sweetly.

 “I buy it. How much is it?” said Gwen emphatically.

“Oh – it’s not expensive. It’s about…” 

Gwen himself paid for the item. On other hand, Amelinda also bought for her the Aphrodite Tear chain while Heracles didn’t take anything. They left the chamber after that. As soon as they walked out from it, the heavy metal door of the chamber automatically closed slowly. “Boom!” the loud noise another time coming out. The double door had merged completely that Heracles and other couldn’t see any slit. Dean took back the torch he hang on the wall before then walked straight to the staircases. Heracles, Gwen and Amelinda followed him. They went in the dark narrow room after that. The bullhead creature was still there standing by the stone door.