e&tg 42

After some silence, i awkwardly changed the subject.  "So, what's in the mine?"

"Quartz crystals.  The gems that were once mined have long been exhausted.  I give the crystals to a wizard in town to use in preservation spells for me."

"What are you preserving?  Food?"

"Soil samples."  She took another spoonful of stew, and chewed and swallowed it.  "I send them to geologists in Kromalir.  If they are not preserved, they are useless by the time they arrive."  She sighed.  "They have me on a stipend, but it is barely enough to cover the expense, even after i scramble around that decrepit hole for a few meager crystals so i won't have to pay wizard component prices."

She'd shown more emotion in that last sentence than she had during the rest of the evening.  I felt an idea beginning to push through in my head and, after i finished my stew, i said, "How long would the soil sample last without the spells?"

She shook her head.  "With the techniques i have available, one day."

"How often do you send one?"

"Every twelve days, when Anu is fully lit and when it is fully dark."  She frowned at me with curiosity.

"How about this?"  I put my hands flat on the table.  "I will fly here every two weeks.  You will collect the samples, and i will carry them to Kromalir.  If i leave at sunrise, i'll be there by sunset.  And i'll charge you..."  I chopped my left palm with my right hand.  "... half of what the wizard is charging you."

She sat there quietly, looking at the wall behind me.  Then she looked at me and said, "I accept your offer.  With much gratitude."  She collected our bowls and put them in a bucket.  She said, "Anu is dark tonight, and i'll be leaving soon to collect the latest sample."  She looked at me with some obvious discomfort.  "I could use someone to hold my lantern."

I stood up and nodded.  "I'd be glad to help."

She gave me a thin smile and turned to prepare her gear.

e&tg 42

After some silence, i awkwardly changed the subject.  "So, what's in the mine?"

"Quartz crystals.  The gems that were once mined have long been exhausted.  I give the crystals to a wizard in town to use in preservation spells for me."

"What are you preserving?  Food?"

"Soil samples."  She took another spoonful of stew, and chewed and swallowed it.  "I send them to geologists in Kromalir.  If they are not preserved, they are useless by the time they arrive."  She sighed.  "They have me on a stipend, but it is barely enough to cover the expense, even after i scramble around that decrepit hole for a few meager crystals so i won't have to pay wizard component prices."

She'd shown more emotion in that last sentence than she had during the rest of the evening.  I felt an idea beginning to push through in my head and, after i finished my stew, i said, "How long would the soil sample last without the spells?"

She shook her head.  "With the techniques i have available, one day."

"How often do you send one?"

"Every twelve days, when Anu is fully lit and when it is fully dark."  She frowned at me with curiosity.

"How about this?"  I put my hands flat on the table.  "I will fly here every two weeks.  You will collect the samples, and i will carry them to Kromalir.  If i leave at sunrise, i'll be there by sunset.  And i'll charge you..."  I chopped my left palm with my right hand.  "... half of what the wizard is charging you."

She sat there quietly, looking at the wall behind me.  Then she looked at me and said, "I accept your offer.  With much gratitude."  She collected our bowls and put them in a bucket.  She said, "Anu is dark tonight, and i'll be leaving soon to collect the latest sample."  She looked at me with some obvious discomfort.  "I could use someone to hold my lantern."

I stood up and nodded.  "I'd be glad to help."

She gave me a thin smile and turned to prepare her gear.