[POV: Solenne]
The morning mist in Haleford sat low and heavy, threading between the wooden chimneys and cobbled streets. Solenne stood at the threshold of the apothecary with a shawl Alde lent her wrapped tightly around her shoulders, fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem.
The shop stood on the edge of the village square—neither hidden nor in full view. It was right next door to Alde's house, which made the journey easy.
It was a squat, narrow building, and the outer wall was suffocated by creeping vines. Half-wilted herbs were strung up on the porch to dry beside a carved wooden sign above the door that read 'Thistle & Thread.' The letters were worn, but Alde clearly attempted to maintain the sign with new layers of paint occasionally.
Alde gave Solenne an encouraging nod and pushed the door open with her hip, beckoning the younger woman inside with a grunt and a warm smile.
"Come now, child," Alde said. "No good work ever started with shivering in the fog."
