The Complete Guide to Morgaanis

Ignatus Lu Flint

Just a traveler

Ignatus Lu Flint crouched at the edge of the woods, surrounding the town of Abergave. The tall, dark trees stared down at him under the bright sun. Before him was a small pond, dancing under the light at the woods' edge. He shook off his boots and rolled up his beige trousers. He shrugged his cloak off and set it beside the bank of the pond. The small patch of water was warm to the touch. Floating on the surface were lily pads and two nymphaea blooms. 

The white flowers swayed in the breeze as Ignatus waded through the water towards them. He gently plucked both lotus flowers, carrying them to the grass. Rare as they were, it reminded him of his mother. His reason for coming so far.

—

Coughing and whimpering echoed across the small hut. Ignatus’ mother and sister were shades paler than they should have been. The two were curled up together on a cot, beads of sweat ran down his mother’s face. She looked up at Ignatus as he threw his raven feather cloak around his shoulders. 

“Efa will be here soon to watch you, Ma.” Ignatus said as he tied his wavy dark hair back. He turned to her, worry etched in his features. “She told me of the herbs she needs, a rare flower, and how to mix the medicine.” 

His mother stood, unsteady, and stepped towards him, grasping his arm. “Igni, my boy-” She coughed, “you don’t have to go.” Her grip tightened. 

Ignatus gently rubbed her hand as he pulled his arm away. “I love you, Ma, and Ceri. I’m going to do my best to help you.” He gave his mother a soft smile as tears rolled down her cheeks. “Just wait for me.” 

—

Birds chirped overhead as Ignatus delicately packed the white blooms away into a jar, placing it in his satchel. He stood and stared up at the bright blue prime sky. 

It may have taken him two towns over, but he found the white lotus he needed. 

He turned and walked back through the town, he had no intention to stay away from his family. As he went back through, almost out of town with the palisade in sight, he noticed a commotion around one hut in particular, and a little girl sobbing outside. 

Ignatus stopped. He knew he didn’t have time for this but he stopped anyway. As he made his way over, he heard the townsfolk. 

“She’s sweating buckets!” 

“Her face is so hot.” 

“Someone go find an apothecary!” 

The little girl continued to cry, tears and snot covered her round face. “M-mommy!” She whimpered. 

“Excuse me?” Ignatus stepped into the crowd. 

The crowd turned to stare at the newcomer. “Who are you?” A burly man asked. 

Ignatus reached into his satchel. “I’m not an apothecary…yet. I’ve been studying under one for a couple years. But I think I can make something that will help.” As he spoke, he cursed himself inside his head. He pulled out the jar of white blooms. “I just need a space to make some medicine.” 

“Who are you? How can we trust you?” A meek looking woman asked. 

The raven haired man shook his head. “My name is Ignatus Lu Flint. And you don’t have to trust me, just the herbs I have.” He looked around at the still distrustful faces, "At least let me look at her and see what her condition is."

The meek woman nodded and silently pulled Ignatus through the crowd and into the hut. The ill woman was laying on a cot, coughing into a rag. Belongs strewn around her, a mug of cold tea beside her and a stack of dirty plates on a nearby table. The old food remained on them nearly untouched. Her pallid face dripped with sweat, and immediately, Ignatus saw his mother in her.