"I do hope you don't mind somethin' simple to drink, darlin'," the Mother of Thorns said, gesturing for Ashlynn and Heila to join her. "We don't keep much wine here in the Briar, though if you're ever in need, there are far more interestin' ways to cloud your mind, if that's what you're after, and I always have a few such things on hand. I had Tala fix up some fresh lemonade, but if you'd prefer, there's sweet tea chillin' as well."
For a moment, the relaxed, casual greeting from such a powerful host completely froze Ashlynn in her tracks. What was the etiquette for this? Bow? Introductions? Should she take her boots off like the woman before her? She didn't know. Her etiquette lessons at home covered meeting powerful figures in the Church but she didn't think that they applied to witches.
