We spend another quiet evening, after getting some more crab pot at the inn for dinner. Elzbieta's adventuring companions drop by too, a little later, but thankfully before we turn in for the night too. It makes me wonder how long it'll be before she heads back out with them again. I'm both looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time.

There is nothing I can do about it though. I don't want to lock her up here at the shop with me after all. The best I can do is to make sure she has good equipment so she will return safely from her adventures. And that is something I can put my mind to. Very much so in fact.

The idea might just even haunt my sleep, at least a little, once the three of us slip into bed for the night. It's the kind of restless dream I'm apt at dealing with though. In fact I have learned to take advantage of these dreams, using them to come up with crazy ideas that usually wouldn't come to me during my waking hours. Like with all dreams I don't remember all of it of course, not by far, but that is alright too. A single, half remembered curious idea every once in a while is all I need.

I don't remember anything this time around, but that is fine too. I can come up with a few enchantments for Elzbieta's gear the plain old boring way just fine. What troubles me a little more is the fact that I wake quite early the next morning. Or rather, I wake well before it is morning. The troubling part is, that I won't be able to fall back asleep and with Elzbieta and Ulryk sharing a bed with me turning restlessly is not an option.

Thus I get up instead, moving slowly and carefully, not to jostle and wake mother and child who are still sleeping peacefully. It's another reminder that I might have to look into having an extension for the house built. I have no more of a clue how to go about it than the last time the thought crossed my mind though.

Another room certainly wouldn't hurt though. It doesn't even have to be a big one. Just large enough for another bed. Preferably close to the chimney to share its warmth? Or should I look into enchanting a hearthstone to provide independent heating? If the room isn't needed for anything else anymore I can still use it for storage.

I shake my head to drive away all these stray thoughts and stretch to properly wake up too. Extensions for the house are something I can worry about in a few years. For now a crib commissioned with Olgierd and Nawoja will do and something like that will still fit next to the bed. I'll just have to be careful not to stub my toes.

I gather my clothes for the day and sneak off to the bathhouse quite a bit earlier than usual, to get ready for the day. Surprisingly enough I'm not the only one there at this hour.

My neighbor Agnieszka is there too already, relaxing in the warm water. She looks up in mild surprise as I enter.

"Well, well, Valeria, dear, couldn't sleep?"

I shrug at first, but then I shake my head as I get undressed and wash up.

"No, I slept just fine. I woke up a little early though. And since I didn't want to disturb either Elzbieta or Ulryk I decided to sneak off and get started with my day a little early for a change."

She chuckles in response and motions for me to join her in the warm water.

"Well, I'll be off to Barter Town today, thus I'm up and about a little earlier. Mind if I walk back with you, so we can take care of monetary issues, before I leave to get the village's shopping down in Barter Town?"

I slip into the water, as I nod in agreement.

"Sure. It's no problem at all. We'll just have to be quiet if Elzbieta and the little one are still asleep."

She breaks out into genuine laughter this time around at my words.

"You already have to sneak into your own house? Oh my! Sounds like you have it really bad for that girl."

I blush fiercely, but she waves me off before I can speak up and probably say something stupid.

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"It's alright, Valeria, dear. I have to admit, seeing you together fills my heart with joy. Ah, to be young …"

As her voice trails off, she gets up and stretches.

"Well, we probably should get going again, shouldn't we? I still have to get the oxen and the wagon ready too after all. Can't dawdle on these trips or it'll take me forever to get there and back again."

We get out, dry off and get dressed again. Then we head back downstream to my place. My initial worries about waking my housemates are unfounded, as by now both of them are already awake and Ulryk is having his first meal for the day. Sour Cream is already waiting for me too, sitting on the windowsill. It seems she wants a snack as well and maybe some head scratches on top. I'm happy to oblige.

Agnieszka in turn receives the silver Crown she'll need to get me the Dwarven Stone Oil I ordered and after one more handshake she is off again, while I enter the expense into my ledger.

Thus the first order of business for the day is taken care off before the business day has even really started. I can't say that I dislike it. In fact it's nice to start the day with a feeling of accomplishment like this, even if it's only due to a very minor point off my list. Yes, it really feels good.

I can't rest on my meager laurels though. The next order of business results from me feeding Sour Cream. I need to get a fresh jug for her. That is easily taken care off too. All it takes is a bronze Crown from my strong chest and a quick trip down to the inn. Thankfully my request is easily taken care off, as the place is pretty busy in the morning.

By the time I return to the shop, Ulryk is done with his morning meal too and Elzbieta is carrying him in breast wrap again, while she prepares to open the shop for me.

I greet the two with a cheerful wave and a smile, as I enter.

"Let's get our morning meal a little later. The inn is quite busy right now. It might be better if one of us heads down to get something once the worst of the morning rush has passed."

Ulryk of course doesn't really care yet. He just makes some happy baby noises as he hears my voice. Elzbieta on the other hand tilts her head slightly.

"Don't want to head down together?"

I flash her an apologetic smile.

"I'd love to, but we can't really leave the shop unattended in the morning. It's when it's the most likely that someone will drop by."

Now it's her turn to grin sheepishly.

"Right. I totally forgot."

I lean in to breathe a little kiss on her cheek, really only a little peck.

"Sounds almost like you need to get back into the habit of adventuring, before you forget everything and have to start from scratch."

We share a little laugh afterwards, before she speaks up in turn.

"Maybe. I'd rather still wait another week or maybe two, before give a few simple quests close to the village a try. Maybe a hunt or some trapping. A gathering quest might work too, but most of those only are available a little later in the year around harvest time."

I nod along with her words. They raise another question though and I decide to voice it.

"Do you plan to take Ulryk along for those? Or will you leave him with Urszula for the day? I mean, I wouldn't mind taking care of him either, but I can't provide his meals right now as our circumstances are."

She nods and tilts her head again, as she gives it some more thought.

"Right, the effect of that cursed enchantment has worn off a while ago, hasn't it. Well, it probably depends on the quest. If it's a gathering quest or some trapping close to the village I certainly could take him along. Anything else and I'd probably better leave him with Urszula. I'd have to get the little man used to spending a little more time with her instead of me first though, to make sure he won't get upset. Maybe we could visit her in the evening to talk it out?"

I nod in agreement. That sounds like a pretty decent plan.

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