Elzbieta and I walk side by side as we return back home after dinner. Apparently she was done talking with her adventuring comrades too by the time I finished with Agnieszka. We don't talk, but we don't really need to either. Just holding hands is more than good enough right now.

Once we reach my place Elzbieta decides to get ready for the night. She is a little exhausted after the not as quiet as usual day. She doesn't turn in for the night righ away though. Instead she decides to sit by the fireplace and the fire I start there to stretch her legs a little while enjoying the warmth at the same time.

“Still not checking out the enchanted wreath?”

I shake my head.

“I'm a little afraid. And besides, I really need to get this potion for Nuutti done.”

She motions for me to come closer and bend down a little. Then, as I do, she places a quick kiss on the tip of my nose.

“Just don't forget about it. You really need to check your enchantments before you try to test them first hand, you know.”

I snort in amusement and kiss the top of her head in turn.

“That isn't something I'll forget anytime soon. Maybe I should look into finding some way to upgrade my appraisal skill while I'm at it?”

She just shrugs at first, only to nod right after.

“I think there should be upgrades both for quality and quantity. If you have to work through piles of gear, like what Tamara and her friends brought, the latter will come in really handy.”

I can't really argue with that logic. At the same time it is a reminder that there is yet more work to be done. Well, the potion first. Everything else afterwards. I nod to acknowledge her words anyway. Her advice is good advice after all.

“Right. The potion first though. I already have an idea. One you might like, although you probably should only try it after the little one is born. This stamina potion might turn out quite potent after all. Well, it better should anyway.”

She tilts her head slightly, a questioning look on her face.

“That strong? Don't worry about me. Are you sure the elf can take it? I mean, sure, he is an experienced adventurer. Much more so than me and probably anyone else around, but still …”

I nod along with her words. She is right to worry after all.

“With everyone else I would agree. He wants something that can fuel his berserk rage, at least for a while, though. And if anyone can survive a potion of that strength, it is a berserk warrior.”

Elzbieta whistles.

“He must be preparing for a real tough fight in that case. I doubt I even want to know. Just thinking about facing enemies requiring this kind of preparation might give me nightmares.”

I nod and get some fresh coffee beans. I make sure none of them are moldy and roast them over the fire. The smell alone seems to be enough to invigorate both Elzbieta and me. Finally she speaks up again?

“Anything I can help you with?”

I look up in surprise, then I make a gesture that is not quite a nod but not quite a head shake either.

“Not with the brewing itself, but you could prepare a fresh cork for one of the potion bottles and some wax. I'll use one of the enchanted bottles with the virgin milk we still have.”

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Even as I finish talking, I help her up. And while she gets the cork to prepare a fresh stopper for a potion bottle, I start grinding down the freshly roasted coffee with mortar and pestle.

By the time I finish the water is just right too and I get the coffee brewing.

This in turn gives me time to grind up some dried clove and cinnamon too, which I then add to the brewing coffee in a separate silk bag. I'm still not done with the mortar yet though, as I still need to crush some sugar.

That I do not add right away. Instead I wait for the brew to be done. Once I have removed the silk bags with the ground coffee and the one with the ground spices, I add the sugar, together with equally sweet birch sap and some extra honey for good measure.

Now I have to do some serious stirring, while it is still hot. Otherwise neither the sugar nor the other sweeteners will dissolve properly. Eventually I'm satisfied though and I'm ready to add the last ingredient, the virgin milk. I have to stir the mixture again afterwards, but not nearly as vigorously as before.

The potion is pretty much finished by now, but it is still hot. This allows me to take a moment to wash the potion bottle that contained the virgin milk I just used. I still have more than enough boiling hot water in the cauldron for that purpose.

I can see Elzbieta wince as I fish the cleaned and heat treated bottle from the hot water with a wooden spoon. I understand the sentiment, but I'm pretty used to it. This isn't the first time I have to handle hot bottles or ingredients after all.

Since I'm already at it, and there is way brew than is necessary to fill just one potion bottle, I prepare two more plain bottle too.

Elzbieta, may the divine bless her heart, immediately starts to prepare two more fresh cork stoppers when she sees that.

Just as I'm about to get started filling the finished brew into the bottles, after stirring it up one last time, a knock at the door distracts me.

It is Agnieszka, as promised. She doesn't come empty handed either. No, she comes bearing a bundle of papers, neatly tied up with a ribbon, as well as a purse of considerably size and weight.

I greet her with a nod.

“Please give me a moment. I'll just fill and stopper these, then I'll be there for you.”

She just nods and leans against the door frame as she watches me work. Well, me and Elzbieta, as she helps me with the funnel, to make sure nothing goes to waste. The stoppers and the wax seals don't take us long either. As I put the bottles away to finish cooling she comes over to talk business.

“Here is the money made from auctioning off the vials and the notes for additional runes you wanted.”

She turns the bundled notes over, to point at the rearmost sheet of paper in the bundle.

“I included a detailed breakdown of your expenses and earning from this trip, including my share, which I already deducted, for your ledger. If you want me to make another trip to town due to your circumstances, it'll probably have to wait until after midsummer. It shouldn't be an issue then though.”

I nod and skim the breakdown she included.

“Thanks! I'll let you know if something comes up.”

Before she turns to leave she nods in the direction of the potions.

“I hope you don't mind me asking, but those seem a little over the top. I'm not sure you'll be just able to sell potions like those around here. What's up with those?”

Oh! She probably appraised them. I decide to take a moment and do so myself, before I answer her question. I focus my attention on the potion in the enchanted potion bottle.

[Lungs of the Leviathan Potion, Quality: Epic, A stamina potion extraordinaire. For the days when simply catching a second wind will not be enough. This will keep you going and going and going. For hours, if not more. Still good to use for another 28 days.]

I nod, pleasant satisfaction welling up inside of me.

“Nuutti asked me for an extra strong stamina potion. I have no clue what he is up too though. I don't really think it is my place to ask.”

My neighbor snorts in amusement, as she turns to leave.

“Maybe I'll get something out of him. Anyway, thanks for doing business with me once again! See you!”

What does she mean? Why would she … then realization dawns upon me. Oh! I blush deep red, trying and failing not to think about the implications of her words, given what I stumbled upon not long after my arrival here.