I can't exactly claim to be well rested when Sour Cream wakes me the next morning, as she comes in through the open window to curl up on the bed besides me with a content little purr. That purr matches how I feel though. I feel content and maybe even a little accomplished. Yes, that sums it up pretty well, or at least well enough.

For a little while I just lie there and run my hand through Sour Cream's fur. I'm not in too bad a hurry after all. Eventually I have to get up and ready for the day though. There is no helping it. Especially as I still have to finish an important project. That wizard's pipe wont enchant itself after all.

Ha, wouldn't that be something? Items that enchant themselves. No, actually, on second thought, maybe it's better that there is no such thing. Or rather, we probably call those items with a mind of their own cursed. There probably is a reason why there are no stories about benevolent items like that.

Now I have dawdled long enough though. I slip out of the bed, taking care not to jostle the cat too much and get ready for the day. I pour the cuddly bundle of purring joy some of her favorite treat and grab the little figurine I enchanted last night as well as some coin. Then I'm off down to the village square.

My first stop this time around is the inn. I'm early enough to be moderately certain that Elzbieta has not had anything to eat yet. Thus I get a tray with two servings of breakfast. Two servings that as usual would probably enough to feed three. Well, I won't complain and Elzbieta who will benefit the most certainly won't either.

Today's morning meal is nothing exciting. Oatmeal with yogurt and honey for the better part. There are some dried fruits mixed in too. I'm not entirely certain which kind though. Well, its no use worrying. I'll find out before long anyway. It certainly wets my appetite.

And of course there is some hot tea to go with the sweet oatmeal. Because of that I'm especially careful as I head over to the temple. I really don't want to risk any accidents with the hot beverage. An accident like that is the last either Elzbieta, little Ulryk or I need.

At least I don't have to wake anyone. Both mother and child are already awake, probably because the latter feels like having his own morning meal too. Wislawa is already up and about too. She welcomes me at the backdoor of the temple in the garden to see me in.

Elzbieta flashes me a smile in greeting and I just nod in return, not to disturb the infant during his meal.

I set the tray down well out of the way. I don't start eating though, as I really want to wait for Elzbieta. Instead I turn to address the priestess, handing her the enchanted figurine in the process.

“Could you have a look to make sure it isn't cursed? And if everything is alright, could you maybe put a blessing on it for me? It's for Urszula.”

She looks at it, running her fingers over the wood. She takes note of the softly glowing halo too. Finally she nods.

“You don't need me back here right now, right? I'll be right back.”

And with those words she disappears in the direction of the temple's sanctum. She doesn't even ask for compensation.

I guess it's to be expected. Gifts and donations are more valuable if they are given freely after all. Maybe I can make something nice for her or the temple too one of these days. Something beyond putting some enchantments on candles. What though? I'll have to think on it.

In the meantime I wait for Ulryk to finish his meal so his mother and I can have ours together. Elzbieta really is looking much better already. In fact she looks like she wants to be up and about already. Once her son is back asleep, which thankfully doesn't take too long I hand her her bowl of honey sweet oatmeal and we both dig in.

“So, you finished the enchantment for Urszula?”

I nod in response to Elzbieta's question, as I have my mouth full at the moment.

“Marvelous! She'll like that. Although I have to admit it looks a little fancy. Does it have to glow like that? Not that I'm complaining. It looks nice …”

I start to chuckle eventually, as she keeps going. I make sure to keep my voice low as I answer.

“No, it doesn't have to glow. In fact Urszula didn't order it that way. She didn't order a blessing for it either. I just thought the added glow would look nice. And now, I can't help it, but blessing it just feels right.”

Now the young mother is smiling too.

“Sounds like one of the occasions where one thing just leads to the other. And if it feels right, it probably is. Anyway, Wislawa seems pretty satisfied with our condition. She suggested that we, Ulryk and I, could return home tomorrow at the latest. So …”

Towards the end some doubt seems to be clouding her voice. Is she really starting to second guess herself now? That silly … I hastily put away my mug of tea and wipe my mouth on the sleeve of my blouse, not something I should make a habit of, and lean over to place a quick peck on her cheek.

“Stop doubting yourself and your place in my life. The both of you will be welcome.”

Oh good gods and goddesses. Of course she and her little one will be welcome. I need to make sure the house will be ready for them tomorrow. And of course I need to finish the enchantment for that fancy pipe. And then there is the dance in the night. How is it that everything seems to happen all at once all of a sudden?

Elzbieta tilts her head slightly as my thoughts begin to spiral out of control.

“Are you sure? We could spend a night at the inn, you know.”

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I let out a nervous laugh, straining in the process to keep my voice from cracking. The little man still sleeping peacefully probably wouldn't appreciate that. I shake my head vigorously at the suggestion that she go to the inn instead though.

“No. I just realized that I have a really busy day and night ahead of me.”

This time around she leans over to place a feather light kiss on my cheek.

“You'll manage. I'm sure.”

I lean in and rest my head against her shoulder for a moment. Then the priestess returns with the enchanted figurine. She hands it to me.

“Here. I hope Urszula will like it. She should drop by around noon. Should I let her know to visit your place? Anyway, this is a pretty piece of work. It's really like it was just waiting for me to invoke the sun mother. To be perfectly honest, blessing it took almost no effort on my part.”

I let out a little sigh, as I accept the figurine back.

“Thanks! Please do tell her to come and visit me.”

Then I let out a little nervous chuckle as I get back up.

“Now, if you'll excuse me. I have just come to realize how crazy busy this day and night will be for me. I really should get going.”

The priestess just nods, but Elzbieta pulls me into one last heartfelt hug, before she finally lets me go.

I gather up the empty dishes and leave, stopping by the inn first, before I head back home. Returning the dirty dishes may seem trivial, but it takes one first point off the list of things I have to do. That seems like a good way to get underway for the day.

Once I'm back home I open the shop. More importantly though, I get some water boiling at the same time too. Water for some especially strong coffee. I have a feeling that I'll need it.

Once the smell of coffee fills the workshop, to the point that even Sour cream's nose twitches once or twice, I get started with the most time consuming task. The enchantment for the pipe. I have to make sure that this turns out perfect!

I go through the necessary runes again and again. I check and double check my calculations. Finally I wipe off the enchanting table to make sure it's spotless, before I prepare the supporting lines as usual. Then I makes sure I have a good piece of the softly glowing enchanter's chalk at hand.

After taking one last deep breath to calm my fluttering nerves I get started with the runes for the self cleaning enchantment. This is the more basic one and thus the one I need to add first to provide a proper foundation for the other.

It's quite reassuring that I manage to slip into the trance like state, which has become almost second nature to me by now whenever I'm enchanting, without a hitch. Once again it's like the flow of time slows to a crawl as I carefully draw rune after rune until the enchantment is finished and gets drawn into the pipe.

As if on cue a knock at the door pulls me out of my trance, just as the enchantment takes hold. It's Urszula.

I blink in surprise.

“Is it noon already?”

She nods, but before she can actually say anything I'm already at her side.

“I have the wet nurse enchantment you asked for finished.”

With these words I hand her the enchanted figurine.

Now its her turn to blink in surprise. Then she breaks into a brief laugh.

“I guess that is what Elzbieta meant when she said that I have a surprise waiting for me.”

I can't help but grin sheepishly.

“I'm sorry. It may seem a little over the top, but it just felt too right to add the glow and ask Wislawa to bless it. And don't worry. It doesn't cost extra. The additional enchantment is more to indulge myself after all. I couldn't charge for that even if we hadn't already agreed on a price.”

A little tension leaves her and her posture relaxes ever so slightly at my words.

“It's alright. In fact it looks marvelous. I probably shouldn't keep you though. I heard you are quite busy today?”

Without any further delay she hands me the coin she already had ready and we shake hands one more time. Then she is off gain while I return to the enchanting table. I'm not quite done yet after all.