I feel exhilaration as I look at the little enchanted figurine. At the same time I feel like it still is lacking a little something. After a moment it comes to me what exactly. It is the little halo I added. It should be shining, at least a little. That way it would be perfect. Well, as far as little homemade things like these go anyway.

It takes considerable effort to refrain from trying to add an enchantment that should, in theory achieve the effect right away. Sure, a little glow, especially if it isn't supposed to provide actual illumination, isn't hard to achieve, but I really shouldn't rush things now.

I take a deep breath to calm back down and think this through a little more thoroughly. I don't want to ruin it now, when it is basically already done, in a vain attempt to add some sparkles after all. Especially as its shiny extra bits Urszula hasn't ordered and which are, strictly speaking, not covered by the agreed upon price.

I can't exactly renegotiate one sided either. That would really ruin my reputation. You don't change a deal once you have shaken hands. No, only frauds running shops in the worst hives of scum and villainy would do that. People that can't be trusted, because how can you be sure that someone won't just change the deal further once they have changed it once?

Yet, at the same time I feel the figurine needs that little extra. I'll just have to provide it free of charge this once. I'll just consider it an investment into the future.

In fact I'm tempted to suggest that Urszula ask Wislawa to put a blessing on it too, but that is for her to decide. I need to finish my work here first.

The first thing I do is to clean the enchanting table in preparation for the next enchantment. Then I take a moment, to draft up a specialized enchantment that will make only the halo of the figurine glow in a soft light.

It quickly turns out that it's a good thing that I took my time to do that. As I thumb through my notebook to look at my previous works it becomes obvious that especially the restriction to the carved halo is a little tricky. It needs so many additional runes that the otherwise simple enchantment almost doubles in size.

I'm tempted to remove the restriction, but in the end I don't. Once again because I want this to be as close to perfect as I can possibly manage. Cutting corners simply won't do!

I calculate the circles diameter too. In fact I go through the calculations twice to make sure I have made no mistake. Only once I'm satisfied with them do I grab another piece of coal to draw the circle and other supporting lines on the enchanting table.

After readjusting my lantern and the candles I place the already enchanted figurine in the center of the circle drawn on the enchanting table once more. I go over the runes for the enchantment another time too, to make sure I have them all properly memorized.

I have my notebook open on the workbench next to the enchanting table just in case, but I'd rather not have to look so I can keep drawing the runes without interruption. Otherwise the chances of the enchantment not taking hold properly increase. Thus I make sure to have everything memorized properly, down to the last line! In fact, by the time I'm done going over the runes time and again I'm moderately certain that I could perform the enchantment again and again, possibly in my sleep. Not that I would ever try to do something foolhardy like performing enchantments while asleep.

Yes, I better be properly awake for this. Thankfully I know just the potion to achieve that state of wakefulness.

I get a fire started to boil some water. I roast some of my dwindling supply of coffee beans too. Once I'm satisfied with their color and the smell they emit, I grind them up to get them brewing with the hot water right after. While the coffee brews I grind up some clove as well as some sugar, which I stir in right away too. I don't add anything else today. I want the brew black, strong and hot.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I wince as I burn my tongue. Alright, maybe not this hot. I blow on it a little before I finish up the now slightly cooler cup of coffee. My heartbeat quickens and even the last vestiges of fatigue vanish almost right away. Oh yes! This is good! I probably won't be able to get any sleep tonight after this, but right now this is exactly what I need!

Now it's time to get back to work. I check the prepared coal circle and the positioning of the figurine once more. Then I grab a suitable piece of softly glowing chalk and get going without any further delay.

As I place line after line I'm once again grateful for grandma's high quality enchanting table. I have had the questionable pleasure of working with worse at the academy. With some it had been downright impossible to draw a single line without making a screeching noise just barely not bad enough to make your ears bleed. Somewhat like a wailing banshee. With this table in comparison the chalks make barely any sound at all, as I fill the circle around the figurine with runes.

My worries prove unfounded not much later, as the softly glowing runes of the circle get drawn into the wooden figurine almost without delay once I finish.

I take another deep breath. I'm not quite done yet though. I still need to check on the results of my work at the very least. I wouldn't be able get any restful sleep otherwise.

I can already see that the second enchantment is working as intended, as the figurines halo glows in a soft, warm light. It's not too bright either. At a glance everything looks alright. A glance is not good enough though. I have learned to be a little more careful. I only take a moment to clean the enchanting table once more, then I focus my whole attention on the little wooden statue to trigger my appraisal skill.

[The sun mother's wet nurse charm, Quality: Rare, A small hand carved, wooden figurine depicting the sun mother as she is often imagined in the coastal cities. It can be worn around the neck on a leather strap. Wearing this enchanted item will stimulate the flow of milk even in women that have not given birth or even been pregnant. The effect will last for 7 days after wearing the item for at least four hours. In addition the figurine's halo has been enchanted to spread a little pleasantly warm light.]

I nod to myself. That sounds good. I'll ask Wislawa to check it too just in case. Tomorrow morning, when I visit Elzbieta and Ulryk at the temple. It is then, that I can't sniffle a mighty yawn anymore, try as I might. It seems not even spiced coffee can keep me going any longer than this.

Before I can even really think about getting ready for bed though, another divine whisper brushes my mind.

[You selflessly created an item of religious importance well beyond what you agreed to create! The Sun Mother is your witness and gifts you 1 point for the Priestess Arcana as a reward.]

Now this is a surprise. The reward itself is modest, as is to be expected, since the little idol is neither a great nor a grand piece of art. No, what really surprises me is who sponsored the reward. Feats performed during night time are much more likely to catch the attention of the moon father or, if its either early or late, the dusk or dawn maiden. It is quite exceptional for the sun mother to hand out a reward during the night.

I peek outside for a moment to make sure I haven't completely lost track of time, but no the stars still twinkle in the mostly clear sky above. The night sky isn't even lighting in the slightest in the east. It really still is nighttime.

With a little frown, but not displeased I return inside and begin to get ready for bed. All the while I'm still thinking about this latest divine reward.

Is it because I carved the idol in her likeness, or at least how she tends to be depicted around here? It's the only remotely reasonable explanation I can come up with. It still sounds a little unlikely in my ears though. I'm sure plenty of other people carve similar little charms or figurines every year and I have never heard mention of any of them catching a divine patron's attention like that. Usually not even when they are carved during daytime. Much less when the work is finished at night.

In the end I can only shake my head as I slip into bed. Maybe Wislawa can provide some insight. I'll ask her. Tomorrow. After one last yawn sleep finally claims me.