While Odolan is busy with the mana mill I'm still busy with the fresh batch of healing potions. Stoppering the bottles and sealing them with wax isn't the end of it all. No, I still need to appraise and properly tag them before I can put them on the shelves.
First things first. I take one of the bottles from the fresh batch and focus my attention on it to trigger my appraisal skill.
[Greater Healing Potion, Quality: Rare, A rare and potent healing potion that will heal any injury, including life threatening ones, almost within the blink of an eye. Still good to use for another 35 days.]
I allow myself a proud little grin. Then I check the rest of the bottles too, just to make sure. The result is always the same.
Very good! I really want some of those on the shelves should a guild representative drop by to put my enchanting services to the test, as Krystina mentioned. It might just result in a little free advertisement that way. I need to brew a slightly less potent and more affordable batch too though. Sadly not everyone can afford the good stuff. Well, it can't be helped. And besides, not every little injury requires a potion that strong.
For now I busy myself tying the little wooden tags I have to the bottles. Finally satisfied I put them on the shelves in the shop. I take the chance and get a rag to wipe away some dust too, while I check to make sure none of the older potions have gone bad.
Once that is done I get back to the brewing. Or rather, I wash the tools and cauldrons first before I get a new brew going. I have to make sure no residue from the first brew contaminates the second. More often than not it will not have any undesirable side effects, but I can't take that for given. I have to make sure. I don't want to take any chances in that regard.
That second brew is much more basic than the first one. I only grind up some Bitterleaf and dried wild rose petals in the mortar for this one. This mix will not make for a pleasant taste, but it is one of the most common recipes for lesser healing potions anyway. It's the recipe using the ingredients most readily available to me too and that is the most important point.
The finely ground, fragrant herbal mix goes first into another of the little silk bags and then into a small cauldron of hot water. Now it'll just have to brew for a little while. That gives me just enough time to get the potion bottles Odolan returned, they really do come in handy right now, and more importantly fresh stoppers for them ready.
As I make my preparations I realize that I'm running really low on sealing wax. I'll either have to get some, probably from Barter Town, or I could make some myself. Beeswax should be easy enough to acquire around here and I can use some burnt, red ochre to color it after adding a little tree sap and maybe some oil. Yes, that should work well enough.
I'll inquire with Krystina or maybe Wislawa at the temple. Yes, the priestess might just be the right person to ask. The wax for her blessed candles has to come from somewhere after all. And if she can't help me I'll ask Agnieszka. At worst she can get me some from the city. I nod to myself. That sounds like a decent plan.
With the decision made I fill the prepared potion bottles with the new brew. These too get stoppered and sealed, although I have to be a little more stingy with the wax this time around. I still make sure to use enough though.
After taking a deep breath I focus on the new potions to check the results with my appraisal skill.
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[Lesser Healing Potion, Quality: Common, A healing potion that will heal a minor injury. Still good to use for another 35 days.]
Plain and simple, yet good enough. Very well. I tag these too and put them on a shelf. I have to admit the shelves look a whole lot better with enough potions on them.
With that taken care off I step outside. On one hand to check the time. I promised Elzbieta that I would drop by with lunch after all. On the other hand to check on Odolan and his progress.
“How's it going? Want to take a break and head down to the inn to have lunch?”
The young warrior is focused on his task and the simple song that lets him keep a steady rhythm, simple as it may be, and doesn't even take note of my approach. As a result he almost jumps off the bench, as I address him. He blushes a deep crimson as he eases back down again.
“Ah … sorry. Didn't notice you there at all. Want to take a look?”
He nods at the mana mill while scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.
Since he mentions it, I decide to do just that. I open the mill's drawer just a little bit to have a brief look at the gathered enchanting dust. It looks good and the drawer is almost full too. His diligent work is paying off.
“Almost done. Just a little more. Why don't you keep going a little longer while I tidy up in the back and close the shop for lunch? That way I probably can stamp your quest papers before we head down to the inn and you can do something else in the afternoon.”
He perks up, as I talk and gets back to work without any delay. Judging by the look on his face he might already have plans for his afternoon. I decide not to ask though. Instead I head back inside and do exactly as I said.
It doesn't take me too long to clean what little tools I used today under the watchful, half lidded stare of Sour Cream. Maybe I'm a little too busy today for her liking? I dry my hands and take a moment to pet my feline housemate and before long she starts to emit a content purr, as she closes her eyes again. Alright, it seems she is not actually upset. Not too much anyway.
Then, as I close the shop for my lunch break I call Odolan inside too. I check on the contents of the mill's drawer once more as well, now that I can properly open it without having to fear that a gust of wind might scatter its contents all over the place. I'm quite satisfied and the smile on my face as I nod reflects that.
“Looks good.”
I stamp his quest papers and then we are off to the inn. I let him ho ahead though, as I take a little detour as I spot someone on our way there.
It seems Elzbieta is already out of bed, although she is not exactly up and about yet, strictly speaking. She is sitting on a bench in the little garden behind the temple. One of the trees growing there shades the spot, so she and little Ulryk can enjoy some fresh air without getting sun burnt.
Elzbieta takes note of my approach too and greets me with a silent wave, as the little one keeps napping. She winks at me as I stop by their side. When she speaks it is in hushed tones, as not to wake the child.
“I was afraid you might have forgotten. The little man already wanted his lunch a little while ago.”
I let out a low, quiet chuckle in turn.
“I don't think he care for such things like lunch and dinner. Not yet anyway. Going to have lunch out here?”
She looks around briefly, then she nods too.
“Sounds good to me.”
With another wave I'm off to the inn, to get us something to eat. It turns out that today's meal involves more of the fresh baked bread. Two lightly toasted slices of it with a filling of tender pulled pork and gravy. The smell is truly heavenly. At least for me. I hope Elzbieta and Ulryk don't mind either. There is coleslaw too.
I order two servings and am not surprised, well not a whole lot anyway, as I receive what has to be three in the end. I don't even need to mention that I want to eat together with Elzbieta over at the temple. I receive everything, including two mugs of light beer, on a tablet, so I won't have to make multiple trips. I pay up and am off, careful, not to drop or spill anything, so I can spend some time with the young mother.