I wake up surprisingly early the next morning and not to the sound of temple bells either as I'm used to. Instead it is the village's roosters making a racket that has me wake with a start.

Well, it doesn't matter all that much what woke me up. Since I'm awake I might as well get up. Not that I have a habit of sleeping in or anything. Not usually at least. At least not when I haven't been out drinking the evening before.

I swing my feet out of bed, yawn and stretch thoroughly. Then I grab my clothes and essentials and head out back and down the stairs to the creek to get ready for the day.

Not having an indoor bath with running water is something that will take some getting used to again. The academy might have pampered me a little with the facilities provided there.

By the time I'm done the temple bells ring. Their clear and bright sound carrying pretty well. Of course. In a small village like Clear Brook the temple probably can't afford big bells like the ones in bigger towns or cities. Just as well. I like the lighter and brighter sound of these much better anyway.

Once I'm done washing and getting ready for the day I head back up to the house. As I cross the garden I see the cat from yesterday. It is sitting on the chopping block, intended for chopping firewood, behind the house. It doesn't even spare me a glance as it is entirely focused on the overgrown garden.

The rustling of leaves is the first hint as to why. A moment later, as I come closer, a little rodent bursts forth from neglected shrubs and the cat pounces.

The mouse has no chance. It squeaks in terror as the feline predator sends it flying with a swipe of its paw. It is dazed as it lands and that is all the opportunity the mouser needs.

The cat pounces again. This time it bites down hard and the rodent falls silent, hanging limply from the cat's mouth.

I blink in surprise. It all happened so fast. The cat looks up at me as if only taking notice of me now. I blink again.

“Nice knowing I have a professional on pest control around here. Feel free to help yourself to any mice you find.”

Now it is the cat's turn to blink. Does it actually understand me? Well, whatever. It doesn't stick around. It just slinks off in the direction of Agnieszka's farmhouse, mouse and all, with its tail lazily waving left and right.

I take this opportunity to head back inside. Although it looks like the cat is doing a pretty good job keeping the mice at bay, I decide to take another look around the house. This time I keep my eyes open for any signs that might hint at rodents that have made it inside. Thankfully I find none.

In theory I could head down to the village square to meet with the elder now. I might still be a little early though. If the elder has the habit to drink late in the evening he might have a habit of sleeping in in the morning as well after all. No need to be a bother.

Thus I decide to take my time. I don't want to just sit around though. I could get started with the garden, but that seems to be a task that might just take more than just a little time. In the end I decide to properly take stock of the shop instead.

The first thing I do is to open the windows of the front room. My newly enchanted lantern is nice, but some daylight still goes a long way to help. For the first time I get a really good look at everything, not counting the cursory glance from last evening.

I pull a light sword from one of the bins. Or is it a heavy dagger? I'm really not sure. It certainly is bigger and heavier than I blade I have ever held. I weigh it in my hand and look at it from various angles to trigger the appraisal skill.

[Rusty short sword, Quality: Common, A mass produced, short, straight sword. A little rusty but still good to use.]

Well, it is a short sword after all and it certainly is a little rusty. It is only a thin layer of rust though and only along the blades back. The edge is good and apparently well oiled.

I'm about to put it back when something catches my attention. Tied to the hilt is a small wooden plaque. As It turn it over I can see that a number has been burned into the other side. No, it is not just a number. It is a price, which would make the wooden plaque a price tag.

The sword isn't the only item with one either. As I look around I can see similar plaques tied to everything in the bins and on the shelves.

I breath a sigh of relief. Good. Those will be a great help. If I want to keep selling used gear, like grandma apparently did, I need to figure out how to price these things properly. Maybe I should ask the local smith for some pointers on the price of used weapons and armor later? Hopefully they were on good terms with grandma.

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Finally I put the slightly rusty sword back into the bin. I wipe my hands on my overalls and head for one of the shelves with potion bottles. Some are small glass vials. Others are made of copper or brass. Most are glazed ceramics though.

I stop dead in my tracks. Damn, I'll need to look into finding out who supplied grandma. Can't really brew any potions without bottles after all. My gaze drift back to the used gear. Maybe I could buy back empty bottles? Or could I offer a discount to customers returning their empty bottles? Hmm, I'll have to think about it some more.

For now I take one of the small bottles off the shelf. The red color of the liquid and the symbol of the Sun Mother worked into the glass already tell me that it is a healing potion of some sort.

I use appraisal on it anyway. The skill usually gives me some more details after all. It doesn't fail me this time either.

[Lesser Healing Potion, Quality: Common, A healing potion that will heal a minor injury. Still good to use for another 14 days.]

I nod to myself. It is pretty much what I expected. Potions like these are a staple for adventurers. Do you have a minor cut, a bruise or some light rope burn? Drink one of those and all is good! Is it anything more serious like a sword stuck in your guts? You better hope you have something more potent with you!

These are pretty easy to make as well. The most common recipe I know calls for Wild Rose petals, Bitterleaf, a little honey and some clean water. Those are pretty common and readily available ingredients.

If the adventurers here are anything like those back in Barter Town grandma must have sold plenty of those. I look at the price tag and my left eye starts twitching a little. Unless she gathered all the ingredients herself and drove a mean bargain for the bottles she wouldn't have made much of a profit with them.

I put the potion back and pick up one from a little further back in the shelf. This one too is a healing potion. I use appraisal on it as well, just to make sure.

[Lesser Healing Potion, Quality: Common, A healing potion that will heal a minor injury. Still good to use for another 28 days.]

I nod again as realization dawns upon me. Of course! Grandma must have put the freshly made potions in the back to make sure the older ones were out front and would get bought first. That way none would go bad. Well, at least in theory.

I blush a little. It is so glaring obvious in hindsight, I feel stupid only realizing it now. It seems I still have a lot to learn and it is better to learn these lessons now and like this, rather than later when a customer complains about a potion gone bad.

I put that one back as well and look at the rest of the potions on display. Mana Potions are the second most common followed by Stamina Potions.

Some of the teachers at the academy tended to quaff the former like water. I shake my head. That probably isn't healthy but who am I to tell them, or anyone else for that matter. To everyone their own.

The latter on the other hand are popular with all adventurers. They can get you out of a tight spot after all. When your muscles are tired and ache a few gulps of a Stamina Potion will grant you a second wind.

I know recipes for both of those as well. That means I can produce most of the items kept in stock, which, as far as I'm concerned, is a good thing.

Now I have dallied long enough though. Time to go and see the elder.