The experiment actually isn't much of one. I only have to figure out how long it takes for the crushed ocher to turn from its usual color first to red and then to a dark blue. It really isn't very exciting, except there always is a little excitement at the end when things turn out as expected. Yes, it is always nice when a plan works out.

If only making chalks wouldn't involve so much waiting. Ah, who am I kidding. I like the waiting. Especially as it provides a chance to properly appreciate Elzbieta's singing. She really has a nice singing voice.

Eventually it is time to remove the new chalks from their molds though and I take the opportunity to properly inspect them right away as well. I take a deep breath, focus my attention on them and activate my appraisal skill.

[Ghosttouched summoning chalk, Quality: Rare, A piece of advanced, surprisingly light and eerily glowing, deep blue, almost black, chalk commonly used to draw summoning circles. Smells like beeswax as it is the main ingredient. Ghosts can touch and manipulate this item! Summoning circles drawn with this chalk are especially well suited for the summoning of ghosts.]

Most curious! Of course summonings in general are not entirely foreign to me. They never were part of my curriculum at the academy though. I only ever did some light reading about the topic, when I was still pretty new at the academy, and wanted to explore the possibility of summoned familiars.

Since I have no summoned familiar it should be pretty obvious that this initial interest never amounted to much. Just as well. I'm quite happy with my current feline companion and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Well, maybe someone will have a use for these new chalks. I bundle them up and price them similarly to the warding chalks from yesterday, except for one chalk I keep for purely artistic reasons.

To put it in simpler words, I use that one chalk to draw some decorative stars and moons and the likes on my blackboard, after putting the wrapped up rest on the shelf next to the warding chalks. Obviously, there is good reason I don't make my living as a wandering artist. I'm still quite happy with my newly enhanced blackboard though. It isn't high art after all. No it is supposed to simply draw some attention to itself.

Satisfied I return to the workshop to clean up after myself. Bowls, pots, mortars and molds all need to be properly cleaned after being put to good use. Only once I'm done with that do I address the adventurer busy with the mana mill.

“Want to go and have lunch with me?”

I half expect her to say yes, as she usually does, except, this time around she shakes her head.

“No, not today.”

She nods in the direction of a small cloth wrapped bundle resting on the mantle of the fireplace next to a small wine bottle.

“I got myself a tasty little sandwich and something to drink in the morning. Today is soup day. And while Maryla and especially Patryk are pretty good cooks I simply don't care for soup. Not unless it is a hearty stew thick enough that you have to cut it with a knife.”

I roll my eyes. It isn't like I don't understand her feelings on the matter, but I actually have had some pretty tasty soup in the past. I'm willing to give it a try. Considering that Patryk and Maryla are in fact pretty damn good at what they do, I expect to be pleasantly surprised.

“Well, I'll close the shop for a lunch break. Take care and enjoy your sandwich. I'll give the soup a try.”

I do as I said. I close the shop and am off with one last cheerful wave.

The inn's common room is indeed much quieter than usual. Despite this, it still is far from empty. It is mostly the local farmers though, who are having their lunch here today. And by the looks of it, they enjoy their soup plenty enough. That is good enough to disperse what little worries I might have had.

I head to the counter and place a coin down on it.

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“One bowl of whatever that is, please!”

Patryk snorts in amusement as he fills a bowl with steaming soup. It is green soup. Once the bowl is filled he sprinkles some roasted bread crusts and a little grated cheese on top.

“This is spinach, Valeria. Fresh spinach, fresh summer spinach in fact.”

I take a deep sniff and eye the soup.

“I'll take your word for it, but there is no way that this is just spinach.”

He snorts again and hands me my bowl, while swiping the coin at the same time.

“Of course it isn't. I won't tell though.”

He winks at me.

“Trade secret!”

Now it is my turn to snort and giggle. I graciously accept the bowl though and make my way to a free table as I don't see anyone around I'm familiar with.

Time to enjoy a hot meal! Carefully blowing on my first spoon full I take a taste and my face brightens up immediately.

Of course it isn't just spinach! Judging by the consistency and the taste there has to be plenty of cream in the soup as well.

My little feline companion would approve! Well, she would approve of the cream. I'm not entirely sure what she would make of the spinach.

As far as I'm concerned though, spinach, cream, bread crusts and cheese come together in a symphony that is not only warm and filling but satisfying too!

Elzbieta is missing out! Although, maybe she just doesn't like spinach? Or could it be due to her pregnancy? Supposedly it does weird things to a woman's taste buds after all.

Ah, never mind. I'll just take my time and enjoy this treat!

In the end this lunch break turns out to take longer than usual despite the fact that I'm only eating soup. I don't regret a moment spent eating this delicious treat either. Business and work can wait a little longer for all I care.

In the end I have to get back to the shop though. I can't keep Elzbieta waiting forever either. Ah well, I'm certainly looking forward to the next soup day, whenever that might happen to be. If today's treat is anything to go by, I'll be in for another tasty surprise! I wouldn't want to miss it for anything in the world!

Before I can actually leave though, Maryla stops me, with one hand on my arm, while balancing a stack of empty bowls with the other.

“Elzbieta is at your place, isn't she?”

I nod, not quite sure what she is on about. I'm about to find out though, as the inn keeper quickly continues.

“Come with me, to the kitchen, will you please?”

I just nod and follow her.

Once we are there she hands me first some mittens and then a small clay pot, including a lid. It is very much still very warm.

“That is for her. I know she got herself a sandwich, but that won't do! Make sure the stubborn girl eats it all! No excuses!”

“Alright?”

Maryla nods with renewed vigor.

“This is a meal she really shouldn't skip! Anyway, you can return the pot later. Now, off you go! Don't let it go cold!”

I do as she orders, not daring to refuse. I make sure to watch where I'm going though, as I really don't want to end up spilling hot soup all over myself. Never mind that I would have to explain such a mishap to the resolute innkeeper and that is not a prospect I' m looking forward to. No, thank you!

Thankfully I reach my home without any such mishap happening.

Elzbieta is still singing, or rather she is singing again, when I arrive. The empty bundle and the half empty bottle on the fireplace's mantle suggest that she must have had her lunch break as well. When she sees me, or rather the pot I'm carrying she blanches.

I shake my head before she can say anything and speak up myself.

“You'll eat it and you'll like it. Gods and goddesses, there is no way I'm going to argue with Maryla regarding any of that. Besides, it really is good.”

She blanches a little more at those words. For a moment it looks like she wants to argue. In the end her shoulders slump though and she gives in.

I just roll my eyes at that response. It makes her look like a little kid.

“you can't make me like it though!”

Gods and goddesses, she even sounds like a stubborn kid right now.

I snort in response.

“No. that would be Patryk's job. And I have a suspicion he went all out on this. Damn, I'm pretty certain that even Sour Cream would enjoy it!”

She is still a little reluctant, as I motion her to join me on the bench outside in the backyard, but she does give it a honest try, tasting just a little of the creamy , green soup on her spoon.

And that apparently is enough to win her over. To be honest, I would have been surprised if it were different.

All of a sudden she doesn't seem to mind her extended lunch break anymore at all. Well, of course. She is getting a free lunch after all, as far as I can tell.