Is it wrong to fleece adventurers at the item shop?

In the end I do have some wine with Elzbieta and her comrades. Only a little though and that is for the best, as someone is waiting for me as I return home afterwards.

The presence of Agnieszka is not that big of a surprise. She mentioned that she would look into getting me some training for the midsummer night's dance after all.

That Rafal, the young bard usually adventuring with Feliks and Lotar is sitting there as well on the bench out back is a surprise.

He even has that round bellied lute with the long neck and the four double strings of his with him. The instrument probably has a special name, but I barely know enough to place it in the family of lutes. That isn't too important though anyway. Probably.

The bard rises and bows while my neighbor greets me with a cheerful little wave and a mischievous grin.

“Good! You are back. For a moment I was afraid we would have to go and find you at the inn.”

I roll my eyes while the bard just chuckles.

“Well, I have had a rather good day so far. Celebrating it with a little wine should be fine. Right?”

Instead of Agnieszka it is Rafal who answers.

“Actually, a little wine can be quite helpful for beginners about to practice some dancing. It can help limber you up a little, at least in my experience.”

I blush a little and rub the back of my neck self consciously.

“Well, it isn't like I have never danced before, but I have neither skills nor gifts that help with it and not much experience either.”

Agnieszka laughs out loud as she winks at me.

“Oh, I could tell. I was there at the inn, you know. But what we are going to practice is a little more elaborate than some lighthearted drunk folk dance where missing a step every once in a while is half the fun.”

Before she can continue the bard interferes.

“Well, it is a folk dance. And in all likelihood you probably will be a little drunk on midsummer night. Pretty much everyone is. The stakes are much higher though. Especially with a dance partner like the one Agnieszka here hinted at.”

At this point the older woman chimes in again.

“He is right of course. The dances of the midsummer night, as well as those of similar festivals, are less folk dances and more of a ritual nature. It will be more than one dance we have to teach you as well. There is one very important lesson we can teach you even now before we get actually started though.”

She pauses briefly to let that sink in a little, before she continues.

“Whatever you do, don't bore your dance partner! Among all the divines, especially the Spring Prince doesn't take kindly to that. Try not to step on the Summer Queens toes either while you are at it, since this is actually her festival and not his.”

I swallow hard.

“Great, divine politics. I'm feeling a lot better about this already.”

Agnieszka snorts in response while Rafal brushes away my worries with a gesture.

“Nah, don't think of it like that. Its more like a sibling rivalry. Well, as far as any mortal can tell anyway. But why don't you get changed, then we can get going.”

“I need to get changed? We need to get going? Why? Where?”

Agnieszka gets up at this point to pat me on the back.

“We picked a location a little more remote than your backyard garden. Most beginners tend to be a little shy about onlookers and the likes. Besides, we will have a little more room there as well. And you should wear a dress to get used to the feeling. Believe me or not, it does make a difference.”

She probably is right. It isn't like I never wear dresses but I do in fact wear my overalls on most days. I'm very much used to comfortable pants like those. There is a reason why a lot of people use them as their everyday clothes.

In the end I signal my agreement with a nod. Not one to keep the others waiting any longer than necessary I head inside and get changed. Besides, Sour Cream is already waiting for me, staring at her empty bowl accusingly. Its a good thing I didn't forget to bring a fresh jug of her favorite treat. All her misgivings are quickly forgotten when I pour some into her bowl.

The dress I put on is the one Agnieszka made for me. The one responsible for my good mood. The one I double enchanted just earlier. This is a pretty good chance to show off my newest achievement after all. Besides, a few grass or dirt stains, in case I should miss a step and fall, shouldn't be an issue thanks to the enchantment. Neither do I have to worry about getting caught on any twigs or the likes.

It is the best option. Right now at least. I could, in theory, wear grandma's special dress for the actual dance. I'm not entirely convinced though.

I giggle to myself as I think that thought. I might just have to be a little more drunk to work up the courage necessary to wear that dress. And to not make a fool of myself when dancing in a state like that I need to get better first. No, I don't just need to get better, I need to get a lot better!

As I'm about to head back outside, Agnieszka peeks inside.

“Bring a Stamina potion or two as well. Just in case. Dancing can be pretty strenuous if you are serious about it after all.”

I blink once at that comment. Is she serious? A look at her face tells me that she is. Not even her playful smile can obscure the fact. I decide not to question her.

“Uh … sure.”

I get the potion bottles from the shop. One regular stamina potion and of my new mana spiked coffee potions. These should be plenty enough for a night of training.

Although, I doubt that we will be training all night. These two have lives of their own as well after all. They can't just waste all night on teaching me to dance. Right? Well, probably not every night at least.

I grab a basket for the potion bottles and put two towels into it as well, almost as an afterthought. We might need those as well. Should we bring a snack as well? Or something to drink? Will we even have time for breaks?

As I step outside to rejoin my mentors my worries in that regard are eased. Agnieszka has already thought about these things it seems. She is bringing a basket as well. Hers contains two big clay bottles and some cups as well as some cloth wrapped sandwiches instead of potions and towels though.

I swallow hard.

“It looks like we are just about ready to go. Yes?”

Rafal just nods and picks up his lute, while Agnieszka leads the way.

We follow a path I'm vaguely familiar with. As we follow the path, for a little while realization dawns upon me. This is the path I took on my first short excursion!

We don't stop where I stopped back then though. Instead we cross the creek at the shallow spot and follow the trail on the other side for a little longer until we reach a big open clearing.

It's not any clearing though. This place obviously sees regular use. The grass doesn't grow too tall here and nothing at all grows at the clearing's center, where the ground is charred from fires that have to burn here both big, hot and pretty regular.

Finally Agnieszka turns around to address me.

“Welcome to our fairground.”

The village's fairground? Isn't it a bit big for Clear Brook? That isn't all though. Hidden in the bushes all around the edge of the clearing I can spy big stones. They might be overgrown, but none of them are damaged or overturned.

“This isn't just Clear Brook's fairground is it?”

The older woman shrugs while the bard makes himself comfortable a little off to the side.

“It is used by the people of Hollow Oaks as well. And if any of the elven communities of the forest are nearby they often join the festivals too. And of course sometimes some of the fair folk visit also. It might look big now with only the three of us here. During a big night it can get pretty crowded though.”

I nod at her explanation. I can't help but take a closer look at one of the overgrown stones though. I move a few branches out of the way to study the moss covered surface of the stone block that has to be about as ancient as it is massive.

Much of it is buried in the ground, but I can still see some of the ancient runes, not an alphabet I'm familiar with, carved into it.

“This isn't just a fairground. It's ancient. Possibly older than any of the people making this land their home today. Possibly old enough that only some of the fair folk could tell us how old it is exactly.”

Now it is Agnieszka's turn to nod along with my words.

“Just about. I have heard stories from people who claim that you can get in touch with the divine here as easily as in any temple. Never mind for now though. Or better, take it as a reason to take your dance lessons seriously.”

I swallow hard once more, as she leads me few steps further from the edge, while Rafal starts tuning his instrument.