Is it wrong to fleece adventurers at the item shop?

Elzbieta and I have a nice break, enjoying the baked goods together with my special coffee out back in the sun. Eventually we have to return to our work though. For her this means a return to the mana mill, or rather, it means that I get her the mana mill so she can enjoy the sun for a little while longer. I on the other hand am busy doing some cleaning.

The enchanting table is the first order of business. I return it to a pristine state, or at least as close to it as I can manage. It certainly is ready for another enchantment once I'm done.

I don't stop there though. As I noticed earlier while barefoot, the workshop can do with some cleaning in general. Thus I get the broom and get busy.

Cleaning isn't exactly my most favorite chore. It never has been. Sure, I understand the necessity of it, but there are a thousand things I'd rather do instead. I'm thorough anyway, as I don't want to have to do it again all too soon.

As I work, sweep and wipe, I'm pleasantly surprised by the ease of it all. Is this the enchantment of my sandals at work? I'm not entirely sure, but I suspect it is. It certainly wouldn't be much of a surprise. I just don't feel like experimenting right now though.

In the end I'm done more quickly than I initially expected, which is a pleasant surprise. I'm a little grimy and quite sweaty anyway. Thus my next stop is the creek out back, so I can wash up a little. I'd prefer a real bath, but that will have to wait until tomorrow morning.

By the time I feel presentable again, Elzbieta is just about done with her day's work as well. I put my seal on her papers after taking care of the enchanting dust she produced and close the shop for today.

Afterwards we head down to the inn together. She to hand in her papers and collect her reward, I to return the bowl as promised. Our paths diverge at this point and I have to admit, I loathe it a little as I return back home alone. I'm really getting used to having her around and miss her a little now that she is not with me.

Is it just her? Or is it the lack of company in general? I'm not quite sure. I'm not quite sure I want to find out either. Or should I? Well, not today anyway. Maybe some other day.

My eyes wander a little as I enter the workshop. Sour Cream stretches and gets up, as she notices me. She moves straight to her bowl and I prepare her a little snack. I watch her eat and pet her afterwards before she heads out for the night.

Now I'm truly alone. On one hand, the thought is a little disturbing. On the other hand, it means that I will be undisturbed and can get some more work done.

I nod to myself. I like that second view better for sure.

My eyes settle on the enchanting table and I crack my fingers as my resolve firms. I'll do it. I'll add a third enchantment to my sandals tonight!

My heartbeat quickens a little as I undo the ties of my sandals, to place them at the center of the enchanting table once more. Gods and goddesses, I have to be crazy just to think about making this attempt. If so, I'm crazy in a productive kind of way though.

What is the worst that could happen? If the sandals end up cursed I will have to go barefoot for a while, until Krysztof finishes my new pair.

In the city that might be reason enough to wait. Going barefoot on city streets really was not something anyone would want to do. The thought alone was enough to send a shiver down my spine. I wasn't in the city though. Even if I had to go barefoot for a while, around here I would manage.

Who knows, it might even turn out to be a fun experience. Maybe I should give it a try anyway, even if that third enchantment on my sandals turns out alright? Tomorrow. Maybe.

I slap my cheeks to clear my mind and get the lantern. With practiced ease I start my preparations. I start with the coal lines that will provide guidance for the rest. I check them twice to make sure nothing will be out of place.

I check my notes more than once too. On the one hand what I have planned is only a slight variation on the two enchantments I already put on these shoes, since I plan to enhance my endurance in addition to my agility and willpower. On the other hand there are some subtle changes, since it is the third enchantment to be put upon these sandals.

Subtle differences can be the most tricky ones, since the human brain, and that of half elves for that matter, tends to make you see things it expects to see in cases like this. Routine and experience can work against you under these circumstances. I'll have to be even more careful than usually.

My heart is beating faster again and I take one more deep breath to calm myself as I grab the best chalk I have available.

Then, before I can second guess myself and my decision, well anymore than I already have anyway, I get started.

With extraordinary care I draw rune after rune, slowly filling the circle. Time flies as I do so, but I only notice because my lips become dry. My throat feels a little parched as well. I can't make a break right now though. I have to keep going.

I'll have to keep this in mind for the next time though. I certainly could prepare a cup of tea beforehand so I can take a sip without breaking my concentration or the workflow.

By the time I place the last rune I'm feeling a little feverish. Not exactly a pleasant feeling. I'm willing to bear with it though. Even more so as the runes are drawn into the sandals at the center of the circle at long last.

It felt a little wobbly towards the end and I have to admit I was a little worried the enchantment might fail after all. Apparently it didn't though.

I almost collapse in relief. Or maybe it is due to exhaustion? I'm not sure, but in the end it doesn't exactly matter anyway. I grab a mug and pour myself the leftover coffee from earlier.

Cold coffee, not iced,just cold, isn't exactly the most enjoyable drink, but right now I couldn't care less. It certainly helps with my dry lips and my parched throat. It doesn't exactly help me steady myself though. If anything my hands are shaking even more now and I still feel a little feverish.

Tea. I need a nice, warm cup of calming tea.

I leave the sandals where they are for now, to make myself some of that tea. After all they won't run away on their own. I stop dead in my tracks and turn around at that thought. I don't activate my appraisal skill, but I scrutinize the sandals pretty hard anyway. No, I think I'm safe. They really haven't moved on their own. Good.

Making that tea takes a little while. The water doesn't boil any faster after all just because I'm glaring at it. And the tea doesn't brew any faster either. By the time I have finished the first cup it has to be well past midnight already and it takes a little while longer for the shakes to subside.

The slight headache and the feverish feeling are gone as well at the very least. I was beginning to fear that I might be coming down with something that would require a potion to cure. Just as well, that I was mistaken.

At long last I finally return to the enchanting table. The sandals still sit there at its center.

My hands begin to shake a gain a little. I just can't help it. Before I can activate my appraisal skill I turn away again and gulp hard. Should I really check now? What if its another shocking result? If I faint now, no one will find out for hours. Probably.

I swallow hard once more, turning halfway to glance at the innocent sandals just sitting there. I screw my eyes shut tightly. Tomorrow! I'll check them tomorrow morning! Yes, that is what I'll do!