I check to make sure none of my clothes are dirty and that my hair isn't a complete mess. Then I grab my pack and leave the house. I close the door behind me but I leave the shutters of the windows open.

Agnieszka's comment from yesterday suggests that I don't have to worry about burglars. Hopefully I'm not jumping to conclusions in that regard. I doubt it though and a little fresh air certainly won't hurt either.

The house is generally well taken care off but for some reason I doubt anyone actually opened the windows ever since grandma's passing and the smell of alchemicals and herbs isn't for everyone. I don't mind, I'm used to it after all. Others might not feel the same way though.

It is still a little chilly, but that doesn't stop anyone from going about their day as far as I can tell. Farmers are heading out to tend the fields, children herd animals onto the pastures or into the small groves and a number of adventurers already head in the direction of the Twilight Forest, some alone, others in small groups.

Only the bees from yesterday don't seem to be in a hurry. They aren't missing much though as the blossoms of the various plants growing around the house and up its walls are only just opening. The place might just be abuzz with activity once I return from my errands.

I leave the house behind and turn to follow the path back down to the village square. Thankfully Clear Brook is actually small enough that I don't have to worry about getting lost. That had been different in Barter Town. The first days after my arrival there had been hell.

I don't get very far before someone calls out, presumably to me.

“Hey! Hey you!”

Well, its more of a bellow than anything else. Its almost enough to make me jump.

The voice is male, loud and, to be honest, it sounds more than a little brash and uncouth.

As I turn, I quickly spot the man to whom the voice belongs. He is tall, has wide shoulders and is heavily muscled. There is no way to miss the latter as the only things he wears are boots, a loincloth and a wide, fur brimmed belt, with a big, ornate belt buckle, from which various metal bottles and a pouch dangle.

I blink and can't help but stare.

Well, his state of dress or rather the lack thereof would explain his tan. Is he one of those barbarians from the north? No, those supposedly wear a lot of fur brimmed clothes, don't they? Or could it be that our moderately warm late spring mornings are already too warm for his liking? Or does he run around like that just to look tough?

He isn't alone either, although I have to admit that I only really take notice of his companion, as she slaps the back of his head.

“We have talked about that, old man! Mind your manners! You can't just go around hollering on the street as you please!”

She is quite a bit younger than her companion, and appears to be a spellcaster of some sort. I can't quite tell which tradition she follows though. She could be a wizard or a witch.

It can be hard to tell at times. They both tend to wear the same wide brimmed, pointy hats and a wizard's robe and a witch's dress can look very much alike.

And what a dress that is she is wearing! I blush at the sight. She obviously isn't afraid to show of her very generous charms. All thoughts about that flee my mind though, as she flashes me a smile.

“Sorry about my old man. I have been trying to teach him to mind his manners, but he can be a bit daft at times. Probably has been hit in the head a few times too many.”

The old man in question, now that they are a little closer I can actually see the gray spreading in his curly shoulder length hair, grumbles but bows his head to apologize in the end anyway.

“Sorry about that.”

After his rather sheepish apology the magician takes over again.

“This is my father, Bogomil, he is a barbarian from the north, as you can probably tell, and I'm Danuta. I'm a witch. And anyway, we couldn't help but notice that you came from Iwona's shop. You wouldn't happen to be the granddaughter she kept talking about? Any chance that the shop will reopen any time soon?”

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I nod along with her introduction. At the same time though I can't take my eyes off her. The way she is rocking on her tiptoes as she talks excitedly sets her ample bosoms in motion in the most mesmerizing way.

It takes considerable effort to order my thoughts so I won't stutter as I introduce myself in turn and answer her question the best I can.

“I'm Valeria and yes, Iwona was my grandma …”

Only then do I properly realize that Danuta mentioned another little fact.

“... she talked about me? Ah, never mind! Well, I'll do my best to get the shop running again. As a matter of fact I'm about to see elder Jaromir about the paperwork.”

The graying barbarian groans.

“Paperwork. I'll never understand why you people burden yourself with madness like that. Couldn't you just shake hands in front of witnesses to seal a deal, like most sane people?”

He sounds grumpy but at the same time not seriously mad. His witch daughter elbows him in the side as well, but in the end we all share a laugh. It seems all three of us have made our experiences with the necessary evil that is bureaucracy. It is just something you can't avoid in this day and age. Not unless you are willing to live well beyond any civilized place, like in the far north.

I wipe away a tear, as I finally can bring myself to stop laughing and regain some measure of composure.

“So, I guess I'll see you around?”

Bogomil nods with a wide smile in place.

“You sure will. At the shop or around the village. Once we are back from our most recent adventure at least. My little girl wants a new staff and we'll need to head a little deeper into the Twilight Forest to get the wood for it.”

Danuta rolls her eyes, as he calls her his little girl, but decides to provide a little more detail anyway.

“A weeping willow's heartwood from a dryad's grove. The nearest we know is about two days in. We'll probably be back in four or maybe five days. A week at worst. At least that is my guess.”

I nod. The implements used by the various magicians, staffs, scepters or brooms, or whatever else, have to be made from special woods. Even I as an alchemist knew that much despite not using any such tools myself.

“Well, good luck with your search for the right wood! I probably shouldn't keep you any longer. Godspeed!”

We shake hands and are each on our own way again. Well, at least these two are on their way once more.

I, not so much. I stand there and follow them with my gaze absentmindedly for a moment or maybe two, while my thoughts are heading in another direction.

What a pair! But supposedly many adventurers have some quirks. Those two might be the most harmless ones in the long run as far as I could tell. Still, it seems they looked forward to the shop reopening. Hopefully the same is true for other adventurers as well. It would be good for business!

Finally I manage to tear my gaze away from the duo, as they slowly gain some distance. As I resume my trip to the village square my steps are a little lighter. So is my heart. There might even be a little smile on my lips. That chance encounter really put me in a good mood.

Things get even more lively as I get closer to the village square, if you want to call the few buildings arranged around the old oak at its center that. It is naturally the inn that is bustling with activity the most. It is where most adventurers, and traveling merchants as well, spend their night. It is where they get their breakfast too. The temple and the smithy are pretty busy as well.

Another small center of activity marks my destination. That much is not hard to guess. An old man with a long white, except for some ink stains, beard, has set up his office there under the ancient tree.

He sits on a wooden stool and has a simple writing desk set up in front of him with various writing supplies and what looks like documents in a reinforced wooden chest to his side. The setup is so simple, it immediately puts my mind at ease. This isn't at all like the clerks' offices in the city where they rule supreme like little tyrants in their own right.

Right now the elder is penning a letter for another man, probably a farmer, with a few others standing around them providing commentary that might or might not be helpful. Despite this he almost immediately notices me as I approach.

“Ah, a new face, and what a beautiful one at that! You have to be Iwona's granddaughter, Valeria, right?”

I raise an eyebrow.

“I am, but how could you tell?”

That prompts him to laugh a good natured laugh and a few of the others around us join in. He taps his left ear with his free hand.

“The ears, dear. Its the ears. We don't get too many elves or half elves around here. Especially if they aren't adventurers. Now, why don't you sit down with us. Just give me a little time to get this letter finished and I'll be all there for you.”