As it turns out I have to turn the little hourglass over four times and even the last time the sand runs through almost completely before the shields light goes out again. This means that one activation of the enchantment lasts about an hour, which in all honesty is a pretty good time. Both in regard to my enchanting abilities and in regard to utility as well.

  Thankfully the light doesn't keep little Ulryk from sleeping either. Turn out his schedule is far more heavily influenced by meals than light or any other outside stimuli for that matter. It makes me wonder though if I should create a longer lasting light for us. It might come in handy. Not just now when the little man wants a meal in the middle of the night either.

  I'm not entirely sure though. Supposedly light can impact the quality of your sleep after all. And I have other issues I need to resolve first anyway. I need to see Agnieszka about some shopping she could do for me the next time she visits Barter Town. Or who knows, maybe she can even organize some wax and oil for me around here.

  And there is something else, another half forgotten thought, nagging at the back of my mind. Oh, right! Shouldn't I meet up with Krystina about the sword I auctioned off through the guild? Yes, that's it. Probably. I'll talk to her about it anyway. That can't hurt.

  With thoughts like these occupying my mind it takes me considerably longer than Elzbieta and Ulryk to fall asleep and I have to get up just as early. As a result I'm a little sleepy as we get up.

  In fact I might have just slept in if not for Sour Cream. She is a merciless taskmaster, waking me up with kneading and purring. She wants her treat and will neither take a no nor a later for an answer.

  Well, ta least little Ulryk seems to enjoy this wake up call immensely, judging by the happy little baby noises he makes when our feline house mate brushes up against him, still all purrs.

  It's reassuring to see them get along. I can only hope it stays that way. For now though I get up with a yawn to do some stretches before I finally prepare Sour Creams snack, which she promptly enjoys, lapping up every last bit. I scratch her behind the ears once she is done. Then I get start to get ready for the day myself.

  A quick wash at the bathhouse, which our youngest family member enjoys greatly after some initial skepticism, we visit the inn for our morning meal together. After eating I let Elzbieta go ahead with the little one though, to talk business with Krystina at the guild counter.

  I have to wait a little as our local guild official is busy dealing with quests at the moment. Afterwards Krystina welcomes me with a smile though.

  “The auction you commissioned us to do for that enchanted blade?”

  It seems almost like she can read my mind, except that most certainly isn't what's happening. This talk is simply a little overdue to me being busy with too many other things. I might be blushing a little, as I nod in response.

  “Is it through? For how much did it go?”

  Krystina lets out a chuckle and disappears under the counter for a moment, to get something from her strong chest. As she resurfaces she drops several things on the counter. Two pieces of parchment that look pretty much identical to my untrained eye and a surprisingly voluminous bag of coin. I blink in surprise and her grins gets even wider.

  “I don't get to do many big auctions out here, and now two in short order. Yours and the one for Tamara and her group. Well, big by comparison. Anyway, after the deduction of all guild fees you get two gold, eighteen silver and ten bronze Crowns.”

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  She opens the pouch and pours the coin out onto the counter so I can count them myself, which I do, not because I don't trust her or the guild, but out of curtsy and because it's expected. Once I'm done she puts the money back into the pouch. She slides the two parchments over to me too.

  “Please read and sign those. They essentially state that we conclude this business transaction and there are no open obligations for either party remaining. One copy is for you, the other stays with me.”

  I'm in a bit of a daze, but I take the time to properly read what I'm signing anyway. It's like she stated, thus I sign both versions of the document. I put my seal next to my signature too.

  Krystina repeats the process with her own signature and seal and we shake hands once more, before I take one copy of the contract and the bag of coin while she enters the finalized transaction into her ledger. With a cheerful wave she sees me off.

  “Please come again!”

  I'm still a little dazed as I make my way back home. It's not exactly like I'm carrying a bag full of gold Crowns, but it's getting close. Considering that the guild fees are already deducted the blade must have sold for quite a sum. Almost three gold crown for a used second hand weapon? How much could I make enchanting a new one with the more complex and powerful enchantments I'm now capable off? My mind boggles at the thought.

  I chuckle to myself, as I go around my house to enter through the back, as I haven't opened the shop and thus the front door yet.

  Ulryk simply joins into my chuckle with a happy baby laugh of his own. Elzbieta shoots me a questioning glance though. The two are sitting out back, enjoying some fresh air by the little garden. Finally the young mother speaks up.

  “Something the matter?”

  I briefly shake the heavy purse in response, making the coins jingle, before I elaborate.

  “Money from an auction for an enchanted weapon. Now I figure out how to spend it.”

  She tilts her head.

  “Stuffing it into the mattress is not an option?”

  Her tone leaves no doubt about the fact, that this suggestion is made in jest but I groan anyway.

  “No, that isn't an option. Just think about all the painful kinks the coins will give you if you sleep on them. Neither of us is a dragon, you know. Besides, emergency funds get buried under a hearthstone. The point is to not have them available easily.”

  She sighs in mock drama, but soon breaks into giggles.

  “Yes, otherwise everything can easily become an emergency. Never mind though. I'm sure you'll figure out some use for those coins. Like that idea for creamy iced treats you talked about.”

  Oh yes! I nod as I drop the small fortune into my strong box, purse and all. Then I take a moment to enter the transaction into my ledger, before I open up the shop. As I do so, I join Elzbieta singing Ulryk another little song about Ksawery's adventures. I can't help but wonder if she is preparing him to become an adventurer as well.

  I decide to put the bottle Bogomil the barbarian returned recently to good use and prepare to make another batch of healing and stamina potions.

  While that brew bubbles I take a moment to consider the newly enchanted shield once more. How should I price it? I had expenses with it too after all. I bought the shield from Tamara's group and I had it refurbished at the smithy. Add the cost for the enchanter's chalk. And of course I have to make sure I have enough left over to get me through a few days at the very least. Local sales for enchanted items are rather irregular after all.

  Finally I make up my mind. Eleven silver Crowns. That covers my expenses, leaves room for some haggling and is still affordable to successful adventurers at the very least. I get a wooden tag and inscribe the price on one side and the most basic instructions on how to use the shield on the other.

  The only thing left to do after that is to make sure it gets a nice eye catching place in the bin with the used gear. I don't want it to just gather dust after all.