So here he was, skulking down Camelot Arcade, with the very valuable object wrapped in an old cloth taped to the small of his back. With all his might, he tried to act normally, to be casually going about his business, but if the profusion with which he was sweating was anything to go by, he was having little, if any, success.
Turning the door handle, he slipped inside, but not before scanning the street behind him. It was deserted. He expected nothing less. Letting out a huge sigh, not aware up until then that he'd been holding his breath, he marched off towards the front counter, weaving in and out of the bookshelves and aisles. Every time he visited, he would swear the aisles and shelves were in different places... not by very much, but he was convinced that was the case. He'd quizzed the shopkeeper about just that at least twice who on both occasions had very seriously told him that he was talking rubbish. But the more Peter thought about it as he headed into yet another dead end, the more he was sure he was right. After doubling back for the second time, eventually he caught sight of the counter. Walking swiftly towards it, he purposely stamped his feet, trying hard to make his presence known, not wanting to startle the old dragon.
"Good day, youngster," whispered a silky smooth voice directly in Peter's left ear.
So shocked was he, that he nearly lost his footing. The old dragon hadn't made a sound before he'd spoken, of that he was sure.
"Hi," he replied, visibly shaken.
"Sorry if I surprised you little one. It wasn't my intention."
"It's okay."
"Why don't you come through to the workshop. I'm pretty sure that's where my app... Tank, is."
And with that the master mantra maker stalked off through the raised slab of the front desk, towards the workshop. Peter followed, mouth open, his tongue hanging out. As they walked, or more like plodded in Gee Tee's case, Peter noticed the weirdest thing. The old dragon didn't make a sound. Not his footsteps, his wings brushing against the counter as he passed, or even opening the glass encased door to the workshop. It was all done in total silence. AMAZING!
On entering the workshop, a thickset head with hair cut short appeared from beneath one of the desks.
"Well?" it said. "Did it work?"
"Let's see what your young friend thinks."
"PETER!" yelled Tank, banging his head sharply as he jumped up.
Both friends took a step back after embracing briefly.
"What are you doing here?" asked Tank excitedly.
"I have a favour to ask," answered the young hockey playing dragon.
"What... AGAIN?" exclaimed Gee Tee, just teasing.
Peter nodded. And then something occurred to him.
"What was it you wanted to know whether it worked?"
"Well," said Tank, "the big Kahuna here has been testing out an old stealth mantra that we found buried away in the loft."
"Ahhhhh," exclaimed Peter. "That's why he made no noise walking into the workshop and how he was able to sneak up on me in the store."
Tank nodded, all the time a big Cheshire cat grin spread out across his face.
"What did you think?" the master mantra maker enquired.
"It certainly seemed to do the trick, but it was incredibly spooky to watch you walk and know that you're there, right in front of me, but not able to hear you at all. Just really weird. Like those fully electric cars above ground that make no noise at all. I mean, you can see them moving, but in total silence. It's just wrong on so many levels. At some point they're going to have to add some kind of noise to them so that pedestrians know they're coming."
"A resounding success," exclaimed the old shopkeeper sarcastically. Tank gave him a look.
"Come on, let's all sit down," suggested the giant rugby player. Gee Tee didn't need to be told again, and quickly slouched into one of the oversized chairs. Tank followed. Peter remained standing, fiddling about with something behind his back.
"You alright Pete?" Tank asked.
Nodding before pulling out from behind his back the reason he was here, wrapped in a dirty old cloth, he then proceeded to sit down, the object placed firmly in his lap. Sitting comfortably, he began.
"As you know," he said, nodding in Tank's direction, "for some time now, I've been convinced I'm being followed. Over the last few days, I think I can safely say that I have been. With this in mind, the only reason I can think that anyone would want to follow me, is because of this," he said, holding up the object wrapped in the dirty old cloth. "I was rather hoping that you could put it somewhere safe for me," he uttered, looking directly at the old shopkeeper.
"We don't really have anywhere secure I'm afraid Pete. I mean the shop itself is protected, don't get me wrong, but if the item that you're holding is that valuable, then maybe you should think about a bank vault or something like that. Everything you can see here is just scattered about. I doubt the defences would do much to deter serious dragons from gaining entry," offered Tank.
Silence wrapped them all up for the next few seconds, with Peter wondering what would happen next, and just whether or not he'd just dropped the old shopkeeper right in it.
"What is it that's so important you'd come here?" Gee Tee asked, a tiny glint in his eye.
Peter found himself thinking of the king's words. They cut right through him. But still, he carried on.
"It would take an awful long time to explain the exact story behind it, most of which I don't know anyway. But suffice to say, Fredric, my grandfather, left me this a very long time ago. It only came to light recently when the king, who'd been keeping a whole trunk full of stuff safe for me, delivered the trunk and its contents safely into my hands. I think when you see it, you'll know what it is and recognise not only its beauty, but its value as well."
Carefully, Peter unwound the cloth, his other hand taking all the weight of the object. Instantly the old shopkeeper scooted forward in his chair, which had tiny little wheels on it, much like a human office chair. Not wanting to be left out, Tank did the same. Gathered as close as they could, almost looking over the object, Peter pulled away the last part of the cloth, like a magician on his big finale, and waited.
Simultaneously Tank and Gee Tee gasped. The atmosphere in the room was electric.
"It can't be. It just can't be!" declared the old shopkeeper.
Tank simply stared, his eyes wider than Peter would have thought possible. In one swift move, the master mantra maker held out his hands. Again, Peter thought about the king's words. But he could think of no other alternative, and gently placed the dagger in the old shopkeeper's palm. Turning the dagger over and over in his hands, the shop owner was transfixed by the light reflecting off the perfectly cut jewels.
"Of all the things..." whispered the old dragon. "I've spent my entire life seeking out that which is rare in the extreme. I've seen, and possess, some of the most amazing artefacts and relics ever to reside on this wondrous planet. This however," he said, letting out a breath, "must be considered right up there with the best of them. I assume it is what Tank and I think it is?"
"Aviva's dagger," answered Peter, nodding.
Both shop workers shook their heads, flabbergasted. After a long silence, Tank finally cut in.
"How long have you had it?"
"The king gave me the contents of the trunk on the day we visited his private residence, when we first met Flash, and Gee Tee saved his life."
Tank had a faraway look in his eyes. That day was of great significance to him, and not just because of meeting the ex-Crimson Guard for the first time. It was the day he'd stood up to his boss, the day he'd had his say. And things hadn't been the same since. Feeling a sense of freedom, of mutual respect, of cooperation, things had changed a great deal for the better since that day.