The rest of the day passes quietly. Well, either that or I'm to busy and too lost in thought to take notice of much. I calculate the size of the circle for Danuta's staff and the number of runes I will be able to fit depending on how big I write them.

Sure, the illumination enchantment for weapons is a pretty basic one, but that doesn't mean that it is simple. This is all the more true if you plan to customize it, as I'm about to do. The results tend to be better after all if the enchantment is optimized for the weapon in question.

I only look up as I hear Agnieszka's oxen cart rumble past on the dirt road. I wave as she passes and she returns the gesture. I follow her with my gaze for a moment as her cart rumbles down towards the village square, before returning my attention to the task at hand.

She will be back some time tomorrow in the afternoon. Hopefully with some of my purchases. The elder is probably having her deliver the letter to lord Antek as well. Or at least she will hand that letter of to a professional courier in the city.

I have to admit that I'm a little curious. Will the lord take care of our recent problem in person? Or will he just send some of his knights? Or will we only receive a letter with some coin attached as an answer? Well, I guess we will find out soon enough.

I, for the time being, focus on the task of enchanting Danuta's staff. In addition to everything else this serves well as a distraction from my recent misfortune in general and my aching ankle specifically. It is almost too good a distraction, as I just barely don't miss lunch.

Well, to be honest, I would have missed lunch, if it weren't for my feline companion. Thankfully she very vehemently insisted that I pour some more sour cream into her bowl.

Once that was taken care of, I put away my design board and close up the shop for my lunch break. Once more I grab some coin from the strong chest as well before heading out, since I'm about to provide Krystina with some more guild or rather quest related business.

Then I hobble down to the inn. Moving with my makeshift crutch is still a little bothersome, but the prospect of a delicious meal kept me going. The smell is already pretty promising anyway.

Whatever is for lunch today, it almost certainly isn't cabbage, which is a very good thing as far as I'm concerned. I stop for a moment and take another sniff. Meat. Almost certainly meat. I'd wager it is chicken. Probably roasted. The smell alone is enough to prompt my stomach to rumble in a less than dignified manner. Thankfully there is no one around who could hear it.

The inn's common room is pretty packed when I reach it. It seems as if I'm not the only one drawn in by the smell of roasted chicken. For a moment I feel a little lost, then I spot someone waving me over to join them.

It is Bogomil, the barbarian. Curiously enough his daughter is nowhere to be seen today. Is she out adventuring on her own or with another group? Or does she simply not like roasted chicken? Nah, it has to be the former. The latter just sounds too outrageous.

I clumsily make my way over to the table he is sitting at, waving to catch Maryla's attention as I go.

Krystina's mother is making the rounds of the common room with plates and mugs. As she takes note of my arrival she acknowledges me with a brief smile.

With a sigh I drop on the bench across from the graying barbarian.

A moment later Maryla places a bowl with half a roasted chicken, plenty of gravy, a gracious helping of mashed potatoes and a slice of very fresh bread in front of me.

I hand her two bronze Crowns, the usual price for any meals here at the inn, in return.

She accepts them. Before she can leave though, she has an important question to ask.

“Sour beer? Or sweet wine?”

The last time I had their sweet wine is still fresh in my mind, thus I decide on the other option this time around.

“Sour beer. Thank you.”

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With a nod she disappears in the direction of the kitchen and the bar, grabbing a few empty bowls along the way.

I take another deep breath to savor the smell. Then I dig in, barely taking note of my drink as it arrives. The meat and gravy, together with the mashed potatoes are really filling. They are really good too! And the slightly sour but light beer goes surprisingly well with it. In the end I only find time for some small talk as my bowl is empty except for the bones.

“Your daughter isn't with you today?”

Thankfully Bogomil doesn't seem to mind, probably because he is just finishing off a second helping himself. He shakes his head in response to my question.

“No, she is out adventuring with these two youngsters, the dwarven gal and that young warrior, today.”

He chuckles.

“When she hears that she missed these deliciously roasted birds today though, she might be a little cranky. She really likes those. But never mind, I see that you are recovering nicely. Want a second helping? You should have some extra gravy. Its good for the joints!”

That sounds a little dubious. One of my brows wanders up a little.

“It is?”

He just laughs.

“Honestly? I have no clue. It is what my mother always told me when I was little. I would never dream of doubting her word though.”

Now we are both laughing, but he isn't quite finished yet.

“Just eat a little more. And if you have some leftovers in the end, take them home. Your little savior might appreciate an offering like that.”

“She might?”

He nods and continues.

“For sure. And if not her, then one of the other cats. Anyway, back home our shamans would advise us to share some of our food with our savior after an experience like yours. It is important to show the animal spirits that you appreciate them and their efforts.”

I still have some doubts, but let him go on anyway.

“When a boar saves you, you let them have some sweet fruit. If it is the wolf, you gift them a goat. If it was an otter, you let them have some of the fish you caught. And when the bear saves your life, offer them a bucket of honey.”

He once again laughs his boisterous laugh.

“In a way you are lucky it was just cats. A bowl with some juicy meat plucked off the bones and plenty of gravy poured over it should work just fine in your case.”

Now I join in with his laughter. He is right. I'm quite lucky in more than one way. And a little offering like that on top of everything else really isn't too much. Well, it isn't like I believe in the animal spirits of the barbarians, but I certainly won't offend them for no good reason either if I can help it.

Before I can place another order though, I feel a hand on my shoulder. It is Krystina who seems to be helping out her parents today.

“Don't worry, I got the gist of it. I'll prepare a bowl.”

As she speaks she grabs my empty bowl.

“Now, Valeria, the real question is, do you want a second helping?”

With some reluctance I shake my head. I'm a little tempted, but I'm really full as well.

“No, better to stop now. I don't want to overeat and regret it later. There is something else though. Could you prepare another mana mill quest for me before I head back home?”

“Just like the other day?”

I nod.

“Yes, please.”

She nods as well.

“I'll have it ready in a moment. Just let me return those empty bowls to the kitchen first.”

By now Bogomil is done with his second helping as well. He pushes the empty bowl away from himself, closes his eyes and sighs, before picking up on the exchange between me and Krystina.

“Oh? Doing more enchanting?”

“Yes. Danuta's staff in fact. I'll need some more enchanter's chalk for that. Especially as I want to test the enchantment beforehand, just to make sure.”

He nods along with my words.

“Is that so? Well, do your best then!”