Despite the surprise Elzbieta sprung I sleep pretty well in the end. Thus I'm surprisingly well rested when I wake early the next morning. The stars are just beginning to fade, but that, of course, isn't what wakes me. I wake because Elzbieta is in the process of getting dressed again.

She flashes me an apologetic grin as she notices that I'm awake as well, while struggling to get back into her soft leather pants.

“Sorry. I thought I'd sneak out while you were still asleep. Can't stay too long after all.”

My brows furrow for a moment as I take notice of the small stack of coins she has deposited on my workbench. I relax again quickly though, as it is only customary after all. She isn't wrong about leaving early either. Guests you invite to spend the night with you are supposed to be gone before sunrise. Staying any longer would usually be taken to indicate a more serious interest.

In the end I nod as I watch her getting dressed. At the same time I can't help but wonder about what she said.

“Were you serious? Do you really want me to be the child's godmother?”

I pause briefly as I recall her other suggestion.

“If you want a wet nurse you probably should ask Urszula instead of me though. She is nursing a child of her own right now after all, you know?”

Elzbieta pauses briefly.

“Urszula?”

I blush. I assumed that she would know Urszula. Apparently she doesn't. Well, never mind.

“The woman running one of the farms a little further up the road together with her father. If you want I could introduce you some time.”

Elzbieta nods as she finishes dressing.

“Thanks! I'd appreciate it! And the other thing? Would you do it?”

For a moment I'm at a loss for words. She really meant it. Am I really suitable to be the child's godmother? The role comes with some responsibilities after all. Naming the child when it is born among other things. Later I would be expected to arrange for the child's education as well, at least to a degree.

I'm still quite grateful that my own godmother provided the letter of recommendation that secured my place at the academy in Barter Town. Hmm, I probably can do that as well. Never mind though. That is still years in the future anyway.

Elzbieta looks at me expectantly.

I lick my suddenly dry lips and swallow hard. Oh, gods and goddesses, please don't let me regret this!

“I could do that. If you really want me to, that is.”

The mother to be bounces in place once. Then she pulls me up and into a hug. At that very moment a divine whisper reaches my ear.

[You have agreed to become an unborn child's godmother! This is considered a binding vow! The Dawn Maiden is your witness and gifts you 4 points for the Wheel of Fortune Arcana as a reward.]

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Wonderful!”

Judging by the look of joy on her face, Elzbieta must have received a similar message. She hugs me once more, before distancing her self again. She looks a little embarrassed all of a sudden.

“I really shouldn't keep you any longer. You probably have to get ready for the day as well after all.”

With these words she heads out the door.

I watch her go and wave briefly. Then I gather up my own clothes which still lie scattered all over the floor. I get dressed in my everyday clothes in the process as well. Elzbieta is right after all. I have to get ready myself.

First I head to the public bathhouse. I need to freshen up after last night and maybe a nice warm soak will allow me to collect my thoughts a little as well.

Apparently I'm the first to visit the bath today. Just as well. Less distractions that way.

I can't help but wonder if the mother to be just suckered me into another agreement that is beneficial to her. I'm still pondering that question when I lower myself into the warm water.

Well, me being the child's godmother is, strictly speaking, to the advantage of the child. There is nothing wrong with that. If the mooching Ranger hopes that this agreement means that she can ask for better deals and higher discounts though, I'll have to disappoint her.

I nod to myself. Right! This is for the benefit of the child, not the mother!

At this point my neighbor Agnieszka arrives at the bath. She looks like she hasn't had much sleep.

I blush fiercely as I can imagine all to well why. I greet her with a cheerful smile and a wave anyway.

Once she is done washing she joins me in the warm water and I decide to ask her for some advice.

“Say, Agnieszka, have you ever been asked to be a child's godmother?”

She raises an eyebrow at the question. Then realization seems to dawn upon her.

“Elzbieta's child? You already agreed to do it, didn't you?”

I rub the back of my head in embarrassment.

“Am I that predictable?”

She laughs out loud.

“You are just like your grandmother in that regard. I have to wonder, is it a family thing? Or is it related to your elven heritage?”

I can only shrug. I have no clue after all.

She doesn't really expect me to answer that question anyway. Instead she continues.

“Well, to answer your question, yes I have been asked several times and I have agreed to become a godmother more than once as well. You shouldn't worry too much. Right now you only need to consider the naming ceremony. Everything else, well pretty much everything else, is still years off. Go and talk with Wislawa about the ceremony. She is our priestess after all and can answer any questions you might have better then me.”

She falls silent for a moment, thinking. Then something else seems to occur to her.

“And of course you are expected to host a little celebration in honor of the newly baptized child. Some food. Some drink. Some music. Nothing too much.”

It is then, that I laugh out loud.

“Of course! Elzbieta, that mooch!”

The older woman joins my laughter. When we calm back down she pats my shoulder though.

“Don't worry too much. What goes around, comes around. Someone else will host these little parties for your own children eventually. We all watch out for each other!”

I blush furiously at that suggestion. My reply comes out as a stutter.

“I … I'm not quite sure … it probably will be a while … before … you know.”

She pats my back again and helps me out of the water.

“Like I said. Don't worry. Its not like you have to hurry anyway. If you age even just half as gracefully as your grandmother you still have all the time of the world. Well, by human standards at least.”

We dry off, as other women arrive, and get dressed for the day. Agnieszka accompanies me as we walk home. Thus I have a chance to ask some more questions.

“The godmother is supposed to provide the child with some gifts though. That is the same here as anywhere else. Right?”

The older woman nods.

“Right. Its usually small things though. Like diapers. Or maybe a crib or a baby wrap. Nothing too much. You could enchant whatever you get if you want it to be fancy. A self cleaning diaper maybe? Gods and goddesses! How I wish I had had something like that!”

We both laugh out loud once more. The idea has some merit though. I know the proper enchantment after all, since self cleaning armor and weapons are pretty popular. I'm pretty sure I could adapt it to a diaper. That can't be too hard, right?