Elzbieta spends much of the rest of the day at my place, working on the extended enchanting dust quest. It simply is something you can't really hurry. That she is able to spend some time by the fireside probably doesn't hurt either.

I don't mind anyway. I even got to learn some new songs over the course of the day. I'm, overall, rather fond of her company. It's something I have come to realize only recently. There always were other students busy in the academy's laboratories and workshops after all. Working all on your own in your own workshop can get rather lonely by comparison.

By the time I put the newest batch of mana potions on the shelves she is done with the quest as well. We share a cup of tea and finally I see her off after stamping her papers as the rain slows down to a light drizzle.

Before I can close the shop for the day some more visitors drop by in the evening though. It is a quartet I'm quite familiar with, although I have a hard time recognizing them at first, as they too are wearing coats to ward off the rain.

It is Odolan, Tamara, Szmuel and Danuta. And by the looks of it, they are just arriving back from their most recent adventure. None of them look hurt, which is a relief, but they appear to be exhausted and quite tired.

Their backpacks appear to be well filled and quite heavy as well. That certainly would explain the exhaustion. At least it seems to be due to a good reason at least. Well filled backpacks translate into plenty of loot under these circumstances in all likelihood after all.

I greet them with a smile as they stop by the entrance to clean the worst of the dirt they have accumulated off their shoes.

“Welcome back! It seems your trip was successful. It turned out to be a good ruin you picked to explore, yes?”

It is the busty witch who answers, although the others nod as well, despite their obvious exhaustion.

“Yes, yes! Nothing too exciting, but we managed to pick up a lot of interesting odds and ends. We managed to pick up some decent gear from the Bogling bandits who made the ruin their base of operations as well. Could you have a look at it for us?”

I tilt my head a little but nod anyway. The request has my mind racing though. I probably shouldn't provide item identification as a service entirely free of charge. Maybe I could offer an incentive though?

“Boglings, huh? I hope they didn't give you too much trouble. Hm … how about one bronze Crown for each item you want appraised? And the first one is free of charge?”

The three novice adventurers turn to the more experienced witch, as if to ask for her opinion without actually asking. Apparently words aren't really needed anyway. It seems like the four of them became a little closer on this little adventure of theirs.

Anyway, Danuta hardly needs to think about the offer. What I ask for should pretty much be the going rate anyway. She takes a moment to think on it anyway, probably for the benefit of her companions, before she finally nods in agreement.

“Sounds good to me.”

The others let out a little sigh of relief and I can't help but grin. They still have a lot to learn. My smile broadens a little at that thought. Not like I'm that much better. Yes, they aren't entirely unlike me in that regard.

Danuta prompts the others to step forward and place some items from their backpacks on my counter. Apparently her own pack isn't quite as overstuffed. That sly witch!

Anyway, I shift my attention towards the things spread out in front of me.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Like already mentioned the things were nothing too special. Everything was properly cleaned and recently well maintained though. Odolan and Tamara are probably to be thanked for that. They must have used their magic tricks once again, like they did with the potion bottles they dug up from the trash heap.

That actually is quite a relief. For a moment I was a little worried I might be confronted with blood stains or the glibbery body excretions the toad like Boglings are known for. There is nothing to be seen of either though.

The first piece of gear I pick up is a sturdy bracer of some sort. It is made of leather with metal plates that have to be brass as far as I can tell. It is surprisingly well made.

Despite these facts, I still see a problem with it. From the quartet of adventurers Szmuel, the catfolk scout, is probably the only one who will be able to use it. It simply is to small for any of the others. I don't want to discourage them though.

I focus on it and activate my appraisal skill.

[Bogling Brass Bracer, Quality: Common, A simple enough bracer made of treated snake leather and brass. It may not be a masterwork item but it still is a fine example of Bogling craftsmanship.]

“Bogling brass bracer. Not a masterwork item but still pretty decent. The leather has been treated. Together with the brass it probably will withstand water damage pretty well. It probably won't get moldy either.”

After sharing my findings I put it back down and pick up a curved dagger. Or rather, a curved knife. It only has one edge after all. In the hands of a Bogling it might even be a decent sword or saber for all I know. The toad like humanoids are rather short people after all.

Once again I focus on the item to activate my skill.

[Bogling Iron Knife, Quality: Common, They may call it a knife, and it is pretty utilitarian, but in the hands of a Bogling it tends to be used like a saber of sorts. It is made of crude swamp iron and not steel and needs to be sharpened pretty often. It needs to be kept oiled as well or will start rusting right away.]

Once again I share my findings.

“Bogling iron knife. More of a tool than a weapon in our hands and not a very good one either. Its iron and not steel, so it won't hold an edge well and will rust easily too.”

They look a little disappointed, but they don't protest. They are no fools and probably already expected something like that after all.

I repeat the process with another knife. My findings match what I already learn from the first one, except, this one is made of bronze.

“This one is pretty much the same, except it is made from bronze instead of crude swamp iron.”

I shift my attention to the next item only to stop to admire it for a moment. This one is a bow and it looks much better made than any of the other things so far. The difference in quality is pretty obvious even at the first glance. It seems the quartet kept the best things for last.

I hope I'm not mistaken. I really want to share some good news with them after all. I take a deep breath and focus once again.

[Short bow of the Bogrunner, Quality: Rare, A masterwork composite short bow made from Swamp Dragon horns, sinews and hide. It is enchanted to allow its user to run on water, mud and quicksand as if it were solid ground.]

I let out a whistle.

“Short bow of the Bogrunner. A masterwork composite short bow made from various Swamp Dragon body parts. It is enchanted to allow its user to run on water, mud and quicksand alike as if it were solid ground. I'd say this one is pretty good.”

The four adventurers' eyes light up in excitement. Even Danuta looks impressed.

I decide to press on before they can get too excited though.

“Well, if this is it, this will be three bronze crowns.”

The witch chuckles and hands me the coins.

I in turn deposit them in the strong chest below the counter and make a note in the ledger.

“You might want to see the Nawoja and Olgierd about the knives. Maybe they will buy them at their material value. I'm honestly not sure. If you want to sell the bow though you probably have to do it through the guild. They have access to bigger markets after all and can probably fetch you a much higher price.”

I pause and watch them pack back up. They seem pretty happy and they have reason to be so. That bow alone can earn them some major coin if they have a little patience and let the guild handle the sale. The other things they showed me aren't anything special but they still might earn them some money.

And of course that wasn't everything, judging by the state of their backpacks. Whatever else they brought probably isn't adventuring gear though. Maybe I'll ask Krystina about it tomorrow. A little gossiping won't hurt anyone after all.

With cheerful smiles the youngsters file back out of my shop, with Danuta bringing up the rear.

I see them off with a smile and a wave. Then I finally close up the shop for the night.