Done with enchanting for the day, I clean up after myself, leaving the place behind not only as I found it but as I would like to find it in the future. With a cheerful wave and a smile I leave the smithy behind, not disturbing the two crafters hard at work there any more than necessary.

With the enchanted net slung over my shoulder and a little spring to my step I return home. A quick glance up, to check on the general position of the sun, lets me know that it is not terribly late yet either. Who knows, I might even still get my further improved chalks done before nightfall.

As I approach the backyard, Elzbieta's singing once again reaches my ears and I start humming quietly myself. I greet her with a cheerful wave and a smile as I round the corner and she nods in return, pausing neither her song nor her work.

I deposit the net at the counter and reopen the shop, before I get back to my preparations for the newest chalks. Those pearls don't grind themselves down into a fine powder after all. And the lapis lazuli similarly doesn't crush itself either.

I'm not in a hurry though. I already did some good business today after all and I have another sale just waiting to happen waiting on the counter. Yes, today is a rather good day so far, everything considered.

Once more I unconsciously match my work rhythm to the singing of the adventurer out back and as a result time seems to fly. That too is a good thing.

By the time I'm done preparing the ingredients Tamara and Szmuel drop by the shop again to inquire about the net.

I show them the fruit of my work and provide some basic information.

“Throw it on a manifested ghost and it has to stay manifested. It probably will be best if Odolan takes care of that. He is the tallest among your group. He has the longest arms as well. He should have an easier time handling the net.”

The duo nods. The catfolk adventurer in obvious relief, while the dwarven woman seems thoughtful.

I keep going on.

“Once that is done, one of you can use the tap. Don't just leave the net draped over the ghost though. It might be best to keep it restrained otherwise as well. You could tackle it to the ground, just as an example.”

Now Szmuel speaks up.

“Why?”

“Well, the net keeps the ghost from abandoning its manifestation to escape. It doesn't make it completely helpless though. While it can't use any supernatural powers on the net it could still try to wiggle its way out.”

Understanding visibly dawns upon the duo at these words and they are quick to nod in agreement.

“You need someone to handle the containers for the ectoplasm as well. Maybe the one who takes care of the tap can do that. Give it some thought beforehand.”

The duo nods again. Then Tamara retrieves the coins necessary to cover the agreed upon price from her purse and we shake hands to finalize the deal.

I have a little more advice to give, before they leave again though.

“If you gather skeleton bones for bone meal on the side, make sure not to grab any moldy ones. The guild might refuse to accept the bones if there are any moldy ones mixed in. And alchemists tend not to like a nasty surprise like that either.”

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

The two nod once more and bow before they leave.

“Thank you for helping us out on such short notice!”

I flash them a smile in return.

“Thank you for your patronage! And be careful!”

A moment later the two are gone. I deposit the additional coin in the strongbox and update the ledger, not just with this most recent sale but the fee for using the smithy's enchanting facilities too.

I really hope the three will be careful. I hope they will succeed as well. A lot hinges on this for them. I'd miss the business they bring my way. Mostly I would miss them though. These three are pretty likable.

Eventually Elzbieta finishes with her chore as well. I check the enchanting dust and put my seal on her papers and close the shop for the night, although it is a little early, then we are off to the inn together.

She hands in her papers to collect her reward. I get us some watered down wine.

I don't head back to the shop right away this time around. Thankfully we are not too deep into the jug of wine yet, when the elder comes over to join us.

“I have drafted up a contract to use for the new payment option you want to offer. Would you like to have a look at it? If you don't want to do it today, I can drop by tomorrow morning too. If that is alright with you?”

I think about it for a moment and take another sip of my wine. In the end I motion for him to get on with it.

“Lets have a look right away. It shouldn't be too complex, or am I mistaken?”

He shakes his head as he places the parchment in question in front of me.

“No, no. Nothing complex. I kept it simple and straightforward, as you wanted.”

And he is right of course. Even a laywoman like me can figure out the content of the contract easy enough. It isn't hard to figure out which information has to go where in the sections left blank on purpose either. As far as I can tell, it is perfect. Perfect for the purpose it is to serve anyway.

Elzbieta, leaning in close to me, has a look as well. After a moment she nods appreciatively.

“I'm awed time and again when I see your handiwork, elder. Even a simpleton like me can understand a contract like this.”

I snort and give her a quick hug.

“It looks good to me.”

I pay up, it is thankfully not a big transaction and I have the coin for it on me, and the elder and I shake hands to finalize this business transaction as well. I have been doing that a lot today and that puts a smile on my face. I can't help it. This simply feels incredibly satisfying.

Afterwards we finish our wine together and when Elzbieta leaves to join her adventuring comrades I leave as well, since I still have a little work waiting for me at home.

Once I'm back home I get the fire started and I get some water for the big cauldron, so I can mix the ingredients in the smaller one without fear of burning anything. I take my time, mixing everything together. The crushed pearl, the lapis lazuli, the night candle oil with the ectoplasm and so forth.

By the time the mixture is nice and even and I'm ready to pour it into the molds it already is dark outside. That of course doesn't stop me, although the enchanted candle lantern and the fire place only provide so much light in the workshop too.

If anything it makes my work all the more eerie, as I pour the faintly glowing mixture into the molds. I have to admit I might look a little witchy working like this. Would grandma approve? Well, I'm not sure, but probably yes.

Eventually I'm done. I don't exactly feel like waiting up until the new chalks have hardened though. I'm actually feeling pretty tired today.

I just take a moment to clean up a little and extinguish the fire in the fireplace. The rest will have to wait until tomorrow.

I snort in amusement as I get changed for the night. Of course the rest will wait until tomorrow. Work pretty much never does itself after all. Well, there are helpful house spirits and a few other phenomena to a similar effect, but I don't exactly want to offload my work on some poor house spirit either.

Never mind.

I don't go to bed right away despite my tiredness. Instead I head back outside one more to do a little stargazing before I finally slip into bed. And apparently I'm too tired even for the craziest dreams tonight. Just as well. I don't mind that part one bit. Sure, crazy dreams can be fun every once in a while, but I really don't need them every night.