Despite having some of the enhanced coffee I start the day slow while Elzbieta is busy with the quest. As I fill the rest of the coffee into potion bottles I resolve to post her quest a second time during our lunch break, so she can make another coin in the afternoon. I might post the new regular quest later in the evening for the next day.
While the coffee grants me a second wind I can still feel the exhaustion all too keenly. I simply can't remember the last time I worked out like that. Have I ever for that matter? I'm not quite sure. Not since I was a very young child anyway, and even back then it probably wasn't a real workout anyway.
I snort in amusement as I think about that a little more. The ones who had the real workout back then probably were the maids who had to watch me. I wasn't easy on them as far as I can recall. If I ever meet them again, however unlikely that is, I probably should apologize as well as thank them for all their hard work. Yes, that is what I should do.
More importantly though, these memories serve as a reminder of what may lie in my own future as well. I might just end up watching Elzbieta's little one after all. It certainly wouldn't be out of the ordinary to ask a godmother for a favor like that.
Ah well, it is no use worrying about things like that now. I'll find out eventually.
A little later Rafal drops by as promised. He looks tired, despite having actually gotten some sleep, unlike me. As he is on his own instead of being with his two friends, it probably doesn't matter though. He probably won't be heading out today as far as I can tell.
He arrives exactly at the right moment as well, as I'm just about to put some more of the new potions on the shelves out front.
I hand him one of the bottles.
“Here, this is it. A stamina boost like the regular potions and increased mana regeneration. I still have a little left in the back if you want to give it a try first.”
He looks at the price tag briefly, before nodding.
“If I could? Its not too much trouble, right?”
I wave his worries away.
“No, no trouble at all. Come along.”
With these words I lead him around the counter after putting away the last of the new potions.
Rafal in turn leaves the one bottle I handed him sitting on the counter. It seems he doesn't mind the price.
That is in itself already a little relief. Sure, I'm pretty sure I didn't overprice it, but seeing the first reaction of a customer is still important. My own perception of the matter might be flawed after all.
Sixteen bronze crowns should still be quite affordable though. In fact I even have a little wriggle room should someone decide to haggle without having to worry about covering my costs. Except for the actual coffee the ingredients are pretty affordable after all.
I wash a cup and pour the bard the rest of the coffee.
Elzbieta greets him with a smile and a nod, without stopping her work.
The bard in turn gives the contents of the cup a quick sniff. Then he downs them in one big gulp, much like he would an actual potion. His eyes widen almost immediately.
“Oh! Oh my! This has quite the kick! And it really tastes much better than the regular mana potions! A little bitter, but also wonderfully sweet!”
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Elzbieta laughs out loud behind me.
“Yes, right? We had sweet cup sized cakes to go with it this morning! I think I'll have to look into having some every morning!”
No it is my turn to snort in amusement.
“Careful there, Elzbieta. There is plenty of sugar in this brew and these cakes of Agnieszka were plenty sweet as well. If you make a habit of those, the combination might go straight to your hips!”
She pouts, but not for long, before she returns to her cheerful self.
“I don't think adventurers have to worry about stuff like that. Adventuring is hard work, you know!”
Rafal looks like he wants to chime in, but he refrains at the last moment, which probably is for the better.
I decide not to mention that Elzbieta is not doing a whole lot of hard adventuring right now either. I might still have to watch out for her a little though. Sure, she needs to eat plenty right now, but that simply makes it all the harder to make sure it isn't too much.
Instead of following this line of thought any further, I decide to focus on Rafal's reaction to the potion.
“So, what do you say? Is it worth it?”
He doesn't need to think about it. Not for long anyway.
“Sixteen bronze Crowns sounds about right. This is including the one bronze Crown deposit for the bottle, right?”
I nod as we return to the shop.
“Exactly.”
“Marvelous! With these potions I might just be able to make do without the regular mana potions. I'm sorry, I really mean no offense, but the taste of mana potions, it really is a little revolting.”
“No offense taken. It is the sad truth. I simply don't know any recipes for mana potions that are any less revolting. I doubt anyone does, otherwise we wouldn't bother with the ones we have right now.”
He nods and gets two more of the bottles, before paying without haggling. Then, with another smile and a cheerful wave he is gone again.
Or at least, he is almost. At the last moment he stops once more, to address me.
“Don't forget, you have another appointment tonight!”
Then he is gone for good, although I can still hear him cheerfully whistling a happy little tune as he heads back down to the inn.
I in turn put away the coins and enter the sale into the ledger as well.
Of course I have another appointment tonight. More training. With his comrades this time around since Agnieszka is out of town.
A shiver runs down my back and my muscles seem to ache a little more. At the same time I'm a little curious what training with these two will look like. Acrobatics were mentioned if I recall right. That sounds a little exciting.
For now though I decide to work in the garden instead of worrying about the future. I water the not so thick anymore thicket that is turning into a proper herb garden and I tend grandma's grave as well, although it really doesn't need all that much attention, silently thanking her once more.
The simple tasks of watering some plants while carefully pulling or pruning others is almost like meditation. Enough so that I loose track of the time.
Eventually my attention is returned to the here and now though, when Elzbieta clears her throat. The pregnant archer stands in the door, watching me.
“Done with the quest?”
She nods and I get up and head inside with her to take care of the paperwork.
“Time for lunch?”
She holds up the stamped quest paper like it is some grand treasure.
“Yes! Time for lunch!”
My stomach rumbles at this point. Of course it rumbles! A sandwich and some wine are not nearly enough to make up for the all night training session after all. Not by far.
“Great! Be with you in a moment. I just need to get some coin, so I can put up new quests as well.”
As promised I rejoin her out back after closing the shop for my lunch break and getting some coin from the strong chest. I got a little more than usual as I might just get myself a second helping of whatever is on the menu today. I don't even care much what it is. I need to regain my strength!
At long last we head down to the inn together. The smell greeting us, as we approach is promising. Whatever is on the menu, it seems to include meat! It seems I'm not the only one who seems to think this is a good thing. The place is packed to its very limits today!
Sadly this means that I have to wait in line for an eternity. In the end the wait is worth it though, as I receive a big bowl of rice topped with three kinds of finely cut meat and lots of hearty sauce poured all over it.
Oh delicious goodness! It is both good and filling!
Even better, there is dessert as well. Maryla and Patryk might not have any coffee yet, but that doesn't mean that they can't put the custom ice box they got from me to good use yet.
It is not iced coffee, but finely shaved, sweetened milk ice is pretty tasty too. As a matter of fact the treat is so tasty that I almost forget about seeing Krystina about the quests. Only almost though.