Is it wrong to fleece adventurers at the item shop?

The rest of the day passes quickly. Mostly I'm absorbed by the preparations for the enchantment of Danuta's new staff. Only Sour Creams demands for treats and petting manage to break my concentration. I don't mind though.

The little cutie is doing her best to make sure I don't overwork myself. Either that, or she has discovered that she actually likes all the attention she can get from me. The bowl with bits of gravy covered chicken meat is already licked clean as well. And apparently the feline judges me to be well enough to be left alone for the night as well.

As she leaves through the open window I slip into bed after making a last cold compress for my ankle. The ankle is getting better, but it still is far from good. This just might take a while.

The night at least passes without interruption and I actually manage to get up bright and early the next morning. Well, at least I get up plenty early. I'm not entirely sure about the bright part since I can't stifle the occasional yawn. Waking up to the sight of my feline guardian peacefully sleeping alongside me certainly helps though, to brighten up my day.

I still use my makeshift crutch, but today I manage to open up the shop on my own. It seems I have to learn to appreciate the small victories. I once again decide to greet the rising sun from the bench out front. It certainly beats standing around inside.

Sour Cream doesn't join me today though. Since she was out all night again she probably prefers the softer bed.

I can't fault her for that. If I had the choice I would stay tucked in under the covers as well. I can't afford such a luxury though, thus I make do with the second best thing as I work on the enchantment.

I'm making pretty good progress as well. There are things worrying me though. If I will be able to fit all the runes in a single circle for example. The basic enchantment is simple enough, but as I customize it for a staff, especially a staff with an embedded crystal, it quickly grows in complexity.

Even just generating the light above the staff instead of anchoring it to the crystal would already be much easier. I can't argue with the customer's requests though. At least not just because they are inconvenient for me.

I might just have to start a second circle, which is only marginally less complex than a double enchantment. And if that isn't bad enough, I will need more enchanter's chalk as well.

I sigh and put the board down as someone approaches. It is an adventurer. It isn't one I already know though.

For one it is a halfling and I don't think I have met or even beheld more than two in all my life so far. These offspring of a human and a dwarf are considerably more rare than half elves.

And then, there is the garb, the short and slight figure is wearing. The hooded robe in general is simple enough. A basic cut and plain brown cloth. The overabundance of floral decorations stitched onto it though, they are almost colorful enough to make me weep.

The staff to which some orchids are clinging is a nice and calming touch by comparison. Even better, the orchids aren't just clinging to the staff, they are flourishing and prospering! They have to be a tree climbing kind. I can't even begin to determine the exact kind though.

I have a suspicion what the cheerful young man might want with me, but I ask anyway, to clarify.

“Hello and welcome! Are you here for some potions or an enchantment? Or is it other business that brings you here?”

He smiles cheerfully as he stops a step, or maybe two, especially for him, from me.

“I'm here to see about fulfilling a quest, or maybe even two. The one about setting your garden straight and the other one about grinding some enchantment dust with a mana mill.”

These news bring a smile to my lips as well. Two birds with one stone! Of course I really shouldn't be surprised. In hindsight it is only natural for adventurers to try and stack up quests like that. Especially if it is low level quests with minimal rewards. I get up, shake hands with him and gesture towards the corner of the house.

“I guess I'll show you to the garden then, so you can get started.”

We make our way around the house, me leaning on the staff I'm using as a makeshift crutch, him humming and admiring the flowers growing up the walls and the bees buzzing all around them. Finally we reach the garden behind the house.

The young adventurer looks at the mess and whistles.

“My, my! I know that growing these together is meant to keep various pests away, but these plants are really all over the place. No need to worry though! I think I can straighten them out so you can harvest them again. I'm not so sure about the rodents though. They shouldn't inhibit the growth of any of these plants, quite to the contrary even, but if they bother you I could try to persuade them to move.”

I listen carefully and shake my head towards the end.

“If they don't kill any of the plants the rodents can stay. The cats have them well in hand anyway. Do you want me to show you the mana mill already as well? Or do you want to wait until after lunch?”

He taps his chin thoughtfully, eyeing up the overgrown garden once more.

“Let's wait until after lunch. This will take some time.”

“Very well, I'll be back out front, working on the next enchantment I have to complete. Just let me know when you need me to stamp your quest papers.”

He just nods and gets to work.

Before I leave I can see green motes gather around him, as he places his staff in the ground in front of the overgrown mess. Even as I turn to leave I can see some of the plants begin to wiggle and grow, while the rodents hurry to hide in their holes.

Some time later I'm just about done with the first draft of the enchantment. I decided to go with the two circle design in the end, as it allows me to add a little more functionality. Among other things Danuta will be able to adjust the brightness of the light emitted by the crystal, from a candlelight you might use for reading to a blinding bright burst to stun your enemies.

I have to admit I'm quite proud of my work so far. Now it only has to actually work as planned. And to make sure of that I will enchant the staff I'm currently misappropriating. If it works, I can put it back on sale later with a considerable markup. If not? Well, it at least won't be too big a loss.

I hear soft steps approaching me and look up. It is the halfling and he is all grins and good cheer.

“I thought you might want to have a look at your garden now, so we can figure out if it needs any more alterations.”

I look up and check the sun. My, where has the time gone? I glance back down at the design board. Into this marvelous enchantment of course! I nod and get up to follow the young druid back around the house, although I have little doubt that his work is anything less than extraordinary.

A moment later my expectations are met and exceeded. The two junipers now stand a little taller, their branches now well off the ground. Below them there is now room for two Prickleberry bushes on one side and a nice patch of Bitterleaf on the other. All around the arrangement grow now distinct again patches of kitchen herbs as well as a few rows of onions and garlic separating everything else.

I nod with a bright smile on my face. This might just be how this garden looked before it went out of control.

“Marvelous! Let me stamp your quest papers. Then we can see about the other quest. Do you want to get started right away or would you prefer to wait until after lunch?”

He hands me the paper for the garden quest and ponders my question as I stamp it.

“Hmm, it is still a little early for lunch. I could do with a little Elevenses though?”

I'm a little confused and decide to inquire.

“Elevenses?”

He nods.

“The meal after the second breakfast and before lunch.”

Before I can say anything he goes on though.

“Say, why don't you join me? The way will be easier on you with someone to offer a little support and you in turn can tell me how you injured your foot!”

I can't really argue with that. Well, I could, but it wouldn't make a whole lot of sense, thus I give in.

“Just let me close up the shop real quick.”