Well rested like I haven't been in a while, I breeze through my morning routine the next day. I take care of Sour Cream, I visit the bath and I post the mana mill quest once again. That is the most urgent business taken care of.

The two new elves from the islands drop by my shop almost as soon as I open to get some potions for themselves. Especially the coffee based combined stamina and mana regeneration potions seem to interest them. They buy two of my new, more potent healing potions as well though.

I see them off with a smile and a wave after entering their purchase into the ledger and before swiping the coin they left into the strong box.

This is a most welcome influx of coin. I suspect I'll need it before long. Either to pay for those new dancing shoes or to cover my tithes. Probably both.

Both the priestess and the elder, as well as the lord by extension, are probably glad that someone took over grandma's shop and this quick at that. Otherwise they probably would have a meager year.

It is better they put the money to good use anyway. Better than the coin just lying around in my strongbox anyway. As long as I can cover my expenses first at least.

Before I can waste any more time thinking about money belonging to other people, Elzbieta arrives, as usual, waving with her quest papers in hand.

I return the wave and invite her in.

“Come on in and make yourself comfortable. I'll close the shop again in a bit and head over to Urszula's place. I want to see her father about some new shoes for the midsummer night dance.”

The pregnant adventurer sighs and nods as she lets herself sink down on the chair by the fireplace.

“Krystof, right? I got myself a pair of very comfortable boots for long hunting trips, or expeditions into the Twilight Forest, from him. Worth every coin.”

I nod as well as I move a stool in position beside her and place the mana mill on top. Good shoes that fit well are one of the essential comforts that make everything else much easier or at least more bearable.

Once Elzbieta is set up and starts working the mana mill I return to the shop. I work on the enchantment for the shoes a little more, scribbling notes into my notebook as I go.

After a while without any more visitors I head to the front door and look outside to make sure I don't close the shop in the face of a potential customer. No one seems to be on their way here though, thus I quickly close up before that can change.

Despite that, I don't leave right away. I prepare some tea for Elzbieta and freshen up a little myself. Only afterwards do I head out to follow the dirt road up the hill to the farmhouse that is my destination.

The place is as lively as the last time I was around, maybe even more so. The only difference is, that Ryszard isn't around this time. Come to think of it, maybe that is the reason why everyone else seems more busy?

Yes, that sounds entirely plausible. His part of the workload doesn't just disappear just because he accompanies some adventurers for a change.

Luiza, one of Ryszard's younger sisters that dropped by my place to give my shaved ice treat a try, is the first to take note of my approach. She is watching over some chicken. That doesn't stop her from waving though. Thankfully the chicken seem used to it. It is either that or they don't scare easily in general.

I wave in return, but decide not to disturb her and the fowl she is minding any further. After all I can already see the man I want to talk to sitting on the bench in front of the house.

He is not carving wooden figures today, although a basket with wood and some carving knives is resting on the ground beside the bench. So far he seems content just basking in the morning sun. He has his eyes closed but notices my approach anyway.

“Good morning to you Valeria! To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”

I can't help but smile.

“I was thinking about getting some new shoes for the midsummer night dance and Agnieszka told me that you are the man to ask about quality footwear around here.”

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He chuckles and finally opens his eyes.

“Probably not the exact words she used, but close enough. Well, lets come around to the back to my workshop. I'll need to take some measurements. Best to get started on a proper last for you right away.”

He lets me help him up. Then he leads the way to his workshop in a small wooden shack a little ways away from the farmhouse. He keeps talking as we go.

“If its for the midsummer night dance, what you want probably is a nice comfortable, yet sturdy set of sandals and not actual shoes or boots. Those are a little easier to make. Not exactly cheaper though. Especially if they are to be tied high up your calves to provide support and sure footing.”

He chuckles again, as he holds the door open for me.

“And of course they can't look shabby either. Or am I wrong?”

I shake my head.

“No, a nice set of sandals would be best. Actually, the best you can manage would be for the best. It helps with enchanting.”

Now he laughs out loud.

“You don't do things in half measures! Very well. If you have the coin, I'll provide the best sandals I can make. You are in luck. I might even have enough fancy leather for a fancy pair of sandals.”

He laughs again and I can't help but smile as well, as he points me to a stool.

“Take a seat, dear. This may take a while.”

I do as he asks and watch on as he gets two fresh pieces of wood and a notebook of his own.

Without further delay he starts shaping both pieces of wood. One for my left and the other for my right foot. Another man might have made do with just one, mirroring it simply for the other foot. Not him though. He really is rather thorough.

The first few cuts are simple, as he is only shaping the wood roughly. Then he gets to work in earnest.

To my surprise he doesn't take his measurements with a tape measure or anything similar. Well, he uses that too, but only for a few simple measurements he then notes down on a fresh page in his notebook.

For the better part he uses his hands though to feel any relevant measurements as he begins to add fine detail to the lasts.

I can't help but blush a little, as he gets to know my bare feet a lot closer than just about anyone else, probably including me. I decide not to mention it though. I just can't. The embarrassment would kill me.

And of course he is right. This takes a while.

In fact it takes long enough for Urszula to check on us a little while later, as apparently it is time for lunch. The old man is reluctant to take a break, despite his daughter's urging.

He insists on continuing for a little longer. Urszula doesn't argue either.

At long last he seems satisfied, at least for now. With a nod he puts the mostly finished lasts away.

“Good enough for now. This leaves, of course, the question of the price. I think I still have some twilight hare leather. Its both soft and comfortable as well as reasonably sturdy. I can make you your sandals for three silver Crowns. If you want more than just plain sandals I'll have to ask Olgierd and Nawoja. I think I can get some silver ornaments from them. In that case I'll have to charge more though. Five silver Crowns? How about that?”

I swallow hard. That is quite the price. If he is as good as everyone seems to think he is, he probably is worth it though. And of course I want to get something special. If I splurge, I might as well splurge for real. In the end I nod.

“Make them something special, please. Five silver crowns? Upon delivery?”

He shakes my hand as I offer it.

“Five silver crowns upon delivery! Very well! I'll send one of the youngsters to get you once I'm done, or If I need additional measurements.”

At this point his stomach rumbles and after a moment mine does too. We both laugh and go to have lunch. I head down to the inn though, while he joins the rest of his family.