Is it wrong to fleece adventurers at the item shop?

The day starts slow and I don't mind at all for a change. I decide not to wait for any customers inside today. Instead I make myself comfortable on the bench next to the entrance out front, where I can enjoy the morning sun. I have to admit that I'm mighty glad that grandma equipped her place with a number of comfy spots like this one.

For a moment I ponder if I should take the opportunity to do some more reading, but in the end I decide against it. Since I still have to use my makeshift crutch I don't want to carry the heavy book anywhere. I really don't want to tempt fate like that.

Sour Cream seems to agree with my choice as well, as she soon comes to curl up first in my lap and after a little while next to me, where I can pet her more easily.

Just as well, since I don't have to disturb her rest like this when I have to get up. And eventually I do have to get up.

Curiously enough it isn't one of the adventurers I have come to know who is approaching my shop. It is Olgierd from the smithy with a long cloth wrapped bundle which he cradles in his arms. No, actually, it is two bundles. One is slightly more bulky than the other.

I greet him with a wave and a smile.

“Good morning! I take it one of those bundles might be the sign I ordered. But what is the other?”

He returns the smile and nods.

“A good morning to you as well. I'm glad to see you are doing well, considering the trouble you ran into. And yes, I have the sign you wanted. Just show me where you want it put up and I'll take care of the rest.”

He pats the slightly more bulky bundle as he says that.

“We can talk about the other bundle once that is taken care of.”

I get up, scritching Sour Cream behind an ear one last time for good measure, and show him the spot I intended for the new sign.

He doesn't need any further prompting. He is as good as his word.

It doesn't take long and the sign is dangling from one of the rafters, just above the counter. It isn't in the way there and anyone making a purchase will be able to read it without trouble.

A few small adjustments later, to make sure it doesn't list to one side or the other Olgierd is done and I pay him the five bronze Crowns we agreed upon. I note down the expense in the ledger as well.

It is only a small achievement, but given the circumstances it feels all the better. I nod in the direction of the other bundle, which is leaning against the counter right now.

“Now, will you tell me what this mysterious bundle is all about?”

He grins and unwraps it.

“You know Danuta, yes?”

As I nod he places the revealed staff reverently atop the counter in between us.

The rare piece of exceptionally sturdy wood has been worked with great care. Its bottom sports a sturdy metal cap and the smooth surface changes into feathered pattern as it approaches the top which has been carved to resemble a raven's head with a clear crystal orb held in its beak. It certainly is a piece of art.

For a moment silence reigns as we both can't tear our eyes away from this wonderful piece. Finally I manage to speak up in a hushed, breathless tone.

“You want me to enchant it, right? What do you have in mind?”

He nods and my mind starts racing.

“I … I'll need a nice, flat and unbroken surface to enchant a staff like this. Stone preferably or burnt clay. Something suited for writing with chalk. My enchanting table simply isn't big enough. Did grandma do enchantments like this? Do you know if she had a place prepared for work like this?”

He laughs a good natured laugh.

“Yes. Yes to just about all of that. We have a suitable spot behind the smithy where she used to weave enchantments for weapons and armor that wouldn't fit her table. Furniture too, just in case that ever comes up.”

I nod happily. That is good to know. He still hasn't provided the most crucial bit of information, thus I ask.

“What kind of enchantment do you have in mind? I hope its not too complex, since I have more experience with utility enchantments than with weapon enchantments.”

He pats the staff as he answers.

“No need to worry then. What I have in mind is pretty utilitarian. Do you think you can fashion an enchantment of illumination that lights up the crystal when a command word is spoken?”

I breath a sigh of relief.

He is right that is both utilitarian and still one of the more basic enchantments. Crystals embedded in weapons that light up when a command word is spoken are pretty common, just like blades that glow subtly when a certain foe is nearby.

I nod.

“Fine. I should be able to adapt a set of runes I know for this purpose. Are you in a hurry? I'd really prefer to take my time with this one. It would probably for the better if my ankle weren't such a distraction anymore either.”

Now it his turn to nod.

“That is quite alright. Danuta hasn't set a deadline anyway. She wants this done properly, not fast. Just drop by the smithy when you feel that you are ready.”

That leaves just one important detail unmentioned. The price. Apparently he has come to the same conclusion, as he mentions it before I can inquire.

“Can you do it for four silver Crowns?”

That has to be an attempt at haggling me down, as the price he asks is well below the usual asking price for work like this.

I take a deep breath and try to do some estimates. I'll probably need additional enchanter's chalk since I'll have to draw a big circle. Which in turn means that I'll have to post an additional mana mill quest. I don't mind, but it is one more expense, in addition to the other ingredients I'll need. Never mind the time I'll have to invest into the project.

“I'd rather ask for six, since I'll have expenses as well.”

That is about as much above the usual price as his was below. It is a clumsy attempt at haggling, but my gift seems to be working. It is either that or he is already happy that I make the attempt at all. He doesn't just accept but he certainly doesn't look displeased either.

“How about five then?”

I think about it for a moment. In the end this is the usual price. I'm not entirely sure about this though. If I make a practice piece to try the new enchantment so I won't accidentally ruin this gorgeous staff, the calculation might still be a little tight. In the end I nod in agreement anyway.

“I should be able to do it for that much. Five silver Crowns then.”

He flashes me a beaming smile and we shake hands.

“Its a pleasure doing business with you! And like I said, just drop by when you are ready. I'll keep this beauty at the smithy until then.”

I put a hand on his arm to stop him before he can wrap it back up.

“Just a moment. I should measure it just in case, so I don't accidentally create a circle that is too small.”

He laughs and rubs the back of his neck.

“Right. Right. You do that. We wouldn't want a mistake like that to happen after all.”

I get a piece of string from the backroom and measure the staff's length. I add a little safety margin for good measure as well. Then I'm done.

He wraps the beautiful weapon back up in the protective cloth and turns to leave.

“See you soon! And get well!”

I wave as he leaves. Then I hobble to the backroom once more to get the practice board and some charcoal. On one hand this may take a while. On the other hand I have all the time in the world right now, thus I might as well get started.

I return to the bench where Sour Cream is still napping and start with the preparations for this newest project.

The cat in turn only cracks open one eye for the briefest of moments, to look at the things I brought, before going right back to sleep.