Chapter 23: Musk Plant, Part 1
There were precious few places where Stregoni felt comfortable. Of those few, the apothecary was by far his favorite.
It was as familiar to him as his reflection. From the time he was a boy he had been set simple chores within it, and once he was old enough, he began to learn the ways of the various plants and powders, tinctures and potions. It was here he had learned the art of healing, and that sometimes healing meant hurting, and that there was a fine line between cure and poison.
Only once had he explored on his own, and he would never forget his mother's face, his father's quiet, as Stregoni was ill for days and weak for months.
It was also where his happiest memories were stored - cleaning the floor while his parents stocked the shelves and mixed medicines, laughing and joking, exchanging kisses when they thought he wasn't looking.