It is, of course, still dark when I return home. In all likelihood it will still be a few hours before the sun comes up, but I can't even think about sleeping. I try anyway, but I only end up turning from one side to the other, thus I get back up. Since I won't be able to get any sleep I might as well get some work done. Maybe it will even distract me enough to regain at least a semblance of calm.

Before long I'm back on my feet, preparing the still out in the backyard. I clean it thoroughly before I assemble it and turn some wood into kindling as well. Both takes some time and the rather monotonous tasks actually help me calm down a little, with emphasis on a little. My hands are still shaking as I cut up some of the flowers I harvested earlier.

Most teachers would advise against working with any sharp and or pointy tools in such a state of mind. I decide to ignore all lessons we received in that regard though.

If anything I'm getting a little more excited again, as the smell of fresh cut greenery enters my nose. These night candles certainly are aromatic! Even if my initial plan doesn't work out, I might still be able to use them, or rather the oil I intend to extract, for a perfume. Or maybe a nicely scented soap? Soap! Definitely soap! Around here the market for soap is a lot bigger than the one for perfume as far as I can tell.

Well, that is good fallback plan. First I need to focus on my actual goal though. I want to extract the glowing pigment and not just the aromatic oil. Hopefully this will work out.

I cut up part of the harvest and fill it into the still together with some water. Then I light the fire. Now I have to wait. There is no hurrying up this process.

In the end it is the bubbling, hissing and dripping of the still together with the aromatic smell that calms my nerves enough for me to actually fall asleep while I sit on the bench out back.

On one hand that is good, as it means that I get some sleep after all. On the other hand it means that my neck is terribly stiff when I wake again, as Sour Cream kneads my lap, while purring up a storm, to get my attention.

I scratch her behind the ears.

“Sorry, dear. Is it already time for your treat?”

It certainly is. The sun is already creeping above the horizon.

After stretching a little, which is not enough to actually help with my stiff neck, I head inside with Sour Cream to pour her some of her treat. Then I return to the still to check on the results.

I certainly extracted the flowers aromatic oils as intended. There is no doubt about that. I have a little trouble checking the property I'm looking for though, as it is already getting a little too bright outside. Thus I take the brass bottle with the oil back inside, much to Sour Creams displeasure. She really isn't fond of strong smelling concoctions like this one.

I have to do it though. In here it still is dark enough to see the slight glow of the oil.

Marvelous! Except, it already seems to be fading, little by little. I have to stabilize it somehow.

I could add some dwarven stone oil, except that stuff is thick and black and probably would eliminate the glow completely. Instead I grab some of my leftover ectoplasm. After pouring some of it into the bottle with the oil, I cork it back up and shake it vigorously.

By the time I stop, my arm actually hurts a little and my back is flaring up again as well. Sleeping outside, sitting on the wooden bench really wasn't the smart thing to do. Especially considering the current weather.

Maybe a nice, warm soak at the bathhouse will help? I'll give it a try later. First I need to check on the concoction I produced though.

I take a deep breath and uncork the bottle once more. As I try to pour out some of its contents I realize that their consistence has changed considerably.

The oil is a lot more viscous now and it has become somewhat milky and cloudy as well. Maybe I shook it too hard or too much? No, never mind. It is quite alright. All that matters right now is, that it glows nicely and it doesn't seem to dim either.

It seems, this is a great success! I ought to make a note!

I put the stopper back into the bottle, while leaving the few drops I poured out on a dish. I want to check it again a little later.

For now though, I want a nice warm bath. No, I don't just want a pleasant soak, I need it! It is getting a little late though. Late enough that I should think about opening the shop instead. I grimace.

No, I will have my relaxing bath! I will drop by the inn first though to talk with Krystina about guild business.

Thus I head down to the inn first. Thankfully my business there is quickly taken care off. Krystina knows me and my requests pretty well by now after all. On my way back out I pat Elzbieta, who looks quite eager to pick up the quest that has only just been pinned to the big board, on the back.

“Take your time. I pulled another all nighter and need a nice soak at the bathhouse first.”

She just nods and gets herself a second helping of breakfast instead.

After a quick stop by my house to get a change of clothes I finally head to the bathhouse and after a quick wash I sink into the warm water so I can relax, even if just a little.

Curiously enough I remain undisturbed today. Although, no, it really isn't all that surprising. I'm a little late today after all. I might, in fact, be the last one to make use of the facilities today.

Although I'm sorely tempted to linger, I eventually get back out of the water and get ready for the day. I can't leave Elzbieta, or any other customers, waiting all morning after all. Well, I can't keep my favorite moocher waiting. I suspect any other adventurers wouldn't wait around unless they really need new potions. Most would just try again another day.

I chuckle and shake my head, before I finally head back home. I make one more quick stop along the way though. I let Agnieszka know of my presence with a knock.

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A moment later the older woman opens the door.

“Oh my, dear! You don't look too good!”

I groan.

“I do? Ah, well, probably because I didn't get any decent sleep last night. I was out collecting more herbs and had a rather exciting chance encounter, but could we talk business first?”

She nods and motions for me to come in. She pours me a cup of tea as well.

“So, business? Another order from the city?”

I take a careful sip from the hot beverage and nod.

“Yes. Something a little pricey. Could you get me some lapis lazuli. A piece about the size of my thumb or a little larger. Whole or already ground up into pigment. And about the same amount of white pearls, again whole or already ground up.”

She thinks about it for a moment and we both sip some more tea from our respective cups. Finally she nods.

“I can do that. I'm not sure about the price though. Those aren't things I usually get for anyone. I'm not even sure your grandmother ever ordered something like that. Not in the recent past anyway.”

She pauses again, taking another sip from her tea.

“I'll pay for these things using my own funds for now, since I can't tell how much it will be, but you better have some coin ready. It might be as much as four or five silver Crowns. I'll probably head to Barter Town some time next week. That soon enough for you.”

I swallow hard, but nod in the end anyway.

“Fine. I'll leave the haggling to you.”

We share a laugh and shake hands to seal the deal.

Finally Agnieszka speaks up again.

“So, dear, what has you spooked so badly you couldn't get any sleep? It isn't more pixies, right?”

Once more I swallow hard.

“No. No pixies. This is worse. Much worse!”

Her brows furrow and I drink another sip of tea to calm my nerves.

“I ran into one of the fair folk last night. Around the same spot where the hive of the pixies used to be.”

“One of the fair …”

“The Spring Prince!”

I blurt that last part out, before she can even really begin to formulate the question and I keep going the same way, almost tripping over the words in the process.

“He made me promise him a dance on midsummer night.”

“A dance?”

Her brows have risen even further by now. She keeps her question brief though and lets me do some more explaining instead.

“Not just any dance. The last dance for this year.”

She lets out a long breath at this point.

“Oh! Oh my, dear!”

She pulls me into a hug, before she pushes me away at arm's length again.

“Just one dance though, right? These details are important with the fey, especially the powerful ones!”

“Yes, just one dance.”

She nods, lost in thought.

“Good, good. You should be able to do that. It is the shortest night of the year after all. You do know how to dance, right?”

Now the last color drains from my face. Could this really be a dance that would last all night?

“Do I know how to … uh … a little?”

She shakes her head.

“A little won't do! But don't you worry! I'll ask around some. I'll find you some teachers and training partners! We still have some time as well. I'm sure we can make a decent dancer out of you until midsummer!”