[POV: Solenne]
Solenne's days began before sunrise, when the mist clung to the rooftops. She would sweep the apothecary's porch before the morning bell tolled in the square, then light the lanterns within Thistle & Thread, bringing warmth and glow to the shadows between glass bottles and bundles of drying root.
Her relationship with Alde had improved quickly, and the pair became fond of one another.
"You'll give me a heart attack one of these mornings, mouse," the old woman grumbled, rubbing her chest. "Next time, rattle a pan or two, will you?"
Alde had taken to calling her "Mouse" whenever she forgot to make noise coming down the stairs. Solenne only smiled as she handed over a cup of steeped yarrow tea, which she had discovered was Alde's favorite. It always softened the witch's grumble.
On the ninth morning, something in the wind changed. Solenne took a moment of pause as she swept the apothecary's porch at dawn, feeling the strange transformation deep in her chest.
