My lunch break with Elzbieta is quite enjoyable and not just because of the incredibly tasty food either. I wish I could stay a little longer, especially after we are done eating, including little Ulryk who apparently got hungry too, as we were eating. Once the little boy is done with his meal he is quick to go right for a nap and his yawn, little as it may be is rather contagious.

Elzbieta doesn't hesitate to give in and takes a nap as well. I can't stick around to do the same though. Which is too bad. The two look downright adorable, as they are sleeping on the bench in the garden behind the temple.

Thankfully Wislawa has an eye on them and Urszula is scheduled to drop by a little later to check up on mother and child too.

I give both a little peck on the check, then I'm off to return the dishes to Patryk and Maryla at the inn before I head back up to my own shop. I still have plans for today after all. Sadly those do not leave any room for impromptu afternoon naps. Damn, some days I wish I could switch places with Sour Cream. She doesn't seem to have problems like that.

Oh well, not all of us can be magnificent felines with servile and obedient humanoid servants. I'll just have to make do with the lot I have been dealt. It isn't all bad anyway.

First I grab a dry piece of wood from the stack of firewood out back. I make sure to pick one that doesn't have any cracks. I choose one that isn't too big either. That would be inconvenient for what I have in mind after all. I go through my tools in the workshop until I come across a small knife that I can use to do some wood carving too.

I'm not a master woodworker and I don't have the tools of one either, but I should be able to get what I have in mind done anyway.

Only then do I open the shop back up. I very much expect a slow afternoon as I do so. That among other things why I decide to pass some time doing some wood carving. It isn't just some idle pastime though. No, this is a preparation for the still unfinished project for Urszula.

The wet nurse enchantment would be best suited for a piece of clothing, but something else, like an amulet of sorts, should work too. And while stone tied to piece of string would in theory be good enough I don't want to settle for something looking cheap and uninspired like that.

I turn the piece of wood about a few times, to study it in greater detail. Then I start to carve a small figurine from it. I'm no expert at this, but I can envision the shape of the finished, full bodied likeness of the sun mother with her radiant halo well enough. I have no trouble cutting it from the wood either. It just takes me a little more time than it would a professional or even just anyone who does this more often.

The only really delicate thing is the halo with the stylized rays of sunlight. Especially as this is where I'll fasten the string to it.

Eventually I'm satisfied with my work anyway. The small figurine is all smooth curves and no sharp angles, as it should be. I smooth the surface a little more so there will be no splinters and varnish it with a little oil at last. This way it should keep nicely.

Yes, I'm truly satisfied. It isn't a piece of high art, but it shows that I crafted it with love and care and that is what really matters. The oil varnish gives it a warm glow too which is very fitting. And the little figurines curves will go well with the intended enchantment as far as I can tell. Yes, this is a great success as far as I'm concerned. It'll do nicely!

I head to the back, figurine in hand and grab one of the longer leather straps I usually use to tie tags to potion bottles. One basic knot later I'm done. Well, I'm done with this part anyway. I now have a little figurine that can be worn like an amulet or holy symbol of sorts. I still need to enchant it though.

Next I get my notebook and the research material Agnieszka got for me from the academy in Barter Town. My original design is no good after all. It probably wouldn't result in a cursed item twice in a row but it would utterly fail instead in all likelihood. And anyway, neither is an acceptable outcome. I need to draft something better!

Thus, first off I study the runes and the accompanying material from the academy's library in depth. Only once I'm through with that do I start with the design for the wet nurse enchantment.

I don't take any chances this time around thus I end up starting over several times. In the end I'm satisfied with the result though and that is what really matters. It's a plain and simple single enchantment optimized for the little wooden figurine. There is nothing fancy about it and, to be honest, there doesn't have to be. The only downside is, that it takes me some time to finalize everything. That though is a price I'm willing to pay in this case.

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In the end I don't get to put my hard work to the test right away. A knock from the direction of the door interrupts my thoughts in that regard. An unfamiliar face greets me as I look up.

It's a dwarf and it isn't Tamara. The long graying beard leaves little room for doubt about that. The wizard robes he wears have pretty much the same effect.

I perk up. Could he be the guild representative that will put my enchanting services to the test? It's possible. Of course he could be just someone who has happened to take note of my services listed with the guild too. In the end it doesn't really matter. He is a customer or at least a potential. That is the important point. It's these thoughts that shape my words as I greet him.

“Welcome! What can I do for you?”

He does come in and looks around a little. It's clear though, that he isn't here for either potions or second hand gear. He barely glances at the things on the shelves or in the bins as he comes over to join me at the counter.

“Ah, well, young lady, it has come to my attention that you are offering your services as an enchanter. The guild lists you as someone who can even create double enchantments if I'm not mistaken. I have to say, that is quite an achievement for someone so young. I'm impressed.”

I perk up further. Could it be? Is he really here to put my abilities to the test? He is not done talking though and his next words make me seriously question the likelihood of this option.

“There is something else too that caught my attention. Recently a wand, a real rare treasure was put up for auction with the guild here. You wouldn't possibly be able to fashion such enchantments as well?”

I blink in surprise. Then I shake my head.

“Sorry, but no. That wand is a find Tamara and her group brought back from one of their forays into the Twilight Forest. I'm pretty confident in my ability to create double enchantments. I can even create triple ones, even if I don't want to advertise that with the guild just yet. Wands though are a specialization I'm not familiar with. Not yet anyway. I'm not a spellcaster myself, you know.”

He nods along with my words. It seems that they are no big surprise to him. Well, most of them aren't anyway. The mention of Tamara though causes one bushy eyebrow to rise ever so slightly.

“Oh? Young Tamara found that wand?”

He breaks into brief but hearty laughter. It seems heartfelt and he doesn't even try to hold it in.

“I guess her parents will be pleased to hear that she is doing well at least. That is quite a find after all.”

I nod and decide not to mention that she seems to be in a relationship with Odolan. Her parents probably wouldn't be enthusiastic about that piece of news.

He laughs some more, before he regains control of himself and gets back on topic.

“Ah well, I guess it is to be expected. You'd be willing though to learn a rare art like the enchantment of wands? You certainly could become a spellcaster in your own right you know. Every enchanter has what it takes. If you already do triple enchantments at such a young age, I have high hopes for you!”

He really isn't perturbed in the slightest and just keeps going.

“Anyway, since you are offering to do double enchantments, there is a little something you could do for me.”

He pulls something from the folds of his robe, before he begins to elaborate his request.

“I got myself a new pipe recently. A rare and precious thing carved from sea foam and dragon turtle bones. A masterpiece, if you'll allow me to brag a little. I want two enchantments for it. First, it should be self cleaning. And second, I want it to light itself upon a spoken command. Think you can do it?”