As I wake the next morning after getting not quite enough sleep, I feel a heavy weight on my legs. No, that isn't quite right. It isn't all that heavy, but still heavy enough that my legs feel a little numb. I open one bleary eye to peek at the feline interloper that must have noticed that I'm awake now, since it promptly starts purring up a storm. It doesn't move though.

It isn't one of the cats I have seen before. No, this one has short cream colored fur which darkens to a deep brown around her head, her paws and the tip of her tail. It is quite the charming look.

I close my eye again, even if just briefly. After rubbing the sleep out them I open my eyes again to take a better look at my visitor.

One of her ears swivels my way as I speak up.

“Well, hello there. I don't think we have met before.”

I look towards the window which I left open.

Well, that at least would explain how the cat got in. More importantly though, I can tell that it still is early. Early enough to visit the bathhouse again before opening the shop. Only if I get up now though.

I sigh and sit up, although carefully. I elict a sound of protest from the little interloper anyway.

“Meow!”

I reach down and scratch her behind the ears. Surprisingly enough I don't get scratched or bitten in return. The little one is a lot more friendly and used to people than most cats it seems. Sure, there are treasured pets and even familiars, but most live alongside humans rather than actually with them. Well, whatever.

“Sorry, little one, but I have to get up.”

I keep scratching her behind the ear as I slowly and carefully extract my legs from under her.

Again the cat meows in protest, but in the end it just curls up again on the blanket once I'm free.

With a smile on my lips and a little extra spring in my steps I gather up my essentials and head out towards the bathhouse. I give Agnieszka's house a wide berth, just in case.

Along the way I come across the black cat that seems to be living with my neighbor. It barely pays me any attention at all. Its mind is probably on the rodent it is carrying in its mouth instead.

This reminds me once again, that I really need to do something about that overgrown garden of mine. The cats might appreciate the rodents and possibly other small animals that like to hide in there, but the same isn't true to the same degree for me. I'll ask Krystina about setting up a quest for that. I know a thing or two about growing plants in a garden, but mice or worse are something that is beyond my expertise.

Sadly I don't meet her at the bath today. I don't loiter around either to see if she still might come. I will just see her after lunch.

I run into my neighbor on the way back though.

She greets me with a cheerful wave.

“Valeria! You are up and about especially early today!”

I return the wave and stop to briefly chat with her.

“I am. Say, you wouldn't happen to know a cream colored cat with dark head and paws?”

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She laughs.

“Had a surprise visitor, eh?”

I nod and she grins even wider.

“Good to know she is back. I was getting a little worried. Your grandma raised her. After she passed … well, I think the little cutie, I think her name is Sour Cream as she really likes that stuff for some reason, hung out at the inn instead. I think Krystina always had some cream for her as well. They have a cat of their own though …”

I nod in understanding, as she trails off without elaborating in detail.

“Sour cream you say? Any idea where I could get some?”

“You'll need to ask some of the other farmers, or maybe Krystina or her parents. I don't keep any cows anymore myself. They are a tad too much work for me, when I'm all by myself.”

I nod once more.

“Thank you! I'll ask around then.”

We share a quick hug, then we are both on our way again.

When I return home the cat is still, or once again, I'm not quite sure, fast asleep on my bed. I don't disturb her either. I'll just have to make my bed a little later once she is back up and about again. Instead I open up the shop bright and early. I even have a little time to sit out front and watch the sun rise above the horizon.

Soon after my first customers arrive though.

One is the young man from yesterday who fulfilled my first quest. Today he is geared up to face greater tasks. Well, he wears gear as might be expected from a youngster still new to the whole adventuring thing. Except for his sword. That seems to be of exceptional quality. He raises a hand in greeting as he and his companion approach.

His companion is another new face. And she is a rare sight in general, rarer even than the elves, of whom I have seen a few over the years. She is a dwarf and thus a rare sight outside their ancestral halls and beyond the few dwarven communities in human towns.

I have to admit that I'm a little envious of her thick, full hair, especially considering the way she has done it up in elaborate braids held in place by hair needles.

The rest of her outfit though has me wondering if I might still be dreaming though. Her armor, if I were to call it that, seems rather ragtag. And that heavy club she is carrying looks suspiciously like a heavy duty rolling pin with one handle broken off.

She waves as well as she greets me.

“Hello and good morning! You are the owner of this shop, right? I'm Tamara and you already met Odolan, my companion. He mentioned that you sell used gear in additional to potions and enchantments. I hope he is right as I really need a shield.”

I nod a little perplexed and motion towards the door.

“Come on in. Most of the used gear I have on sale are weapons, but I think there are a few shields as well. I just hope you don't expect anything fancy.”

She laughs and heads inside, followed first by her companion and then me.

“No, no. My purse, or rather its contents, don't cover anything fancy. I just hope it is enough for some serviceable second hand gear.”

I don't need to direct her anywhere as she spots the few wooden shields I have in stock right away. They all have some nicks, but they should still be good for another few fights.

She tries them on without hesitation and settles on a sturdy round shield with an iron reinforced edge that is a little rusty. She even does some practice swings with her makeshift weapon. Thankfully she stops again before I have to point out the sign next to the door.

“This should do nicely!”

I grab the price tag after she has a look. Before I can even say anything she starts counting coins onto the counter.

“Fourteen bronze crowns. There you go.”

I blink in surprise, as she doesn't even try to haggle me down. Just as well. Before the duo can get going again though, I speak up, since I'm a little worried for the two.

“Say, where are you two headed anyway? I guess you must have picked up a quest at the inn, right?”

It is the young man, Odolan, who answers.

“Yes. It seems there is some trouble with Twig Wights along the Twilight Forest's edge. I think we should be able to deal with those as they aren't particularly smart or strong. We don't have to head too deep into the forest either.”

At this point his dwarven companion speaks up.

“Yes, I'll draw their attention and with this shield I should be able to weather their attacks just fine. In the meantime Odolan can cut them down to size.”

I breath a little sigh of relief. For a moment I was afraid that they might try to go after something more dangerous, like a goblin burrow. The way she spoke though it sounds like they have a pretty decent plan. I wave once more as they leave the shop, before noting the sale down in the ledger and depositing the coins in the strong chest below the counter.

“Take care and drop by again some time!”