Moon Flowers

Heron was embarrassed by what Elswyth had just said, but he recovered fairly quickly. It was just a compliment. Not one he was used to hearing but it was nothing major.

They lingered in the garden for a while longer and only started leaving as the sun began to set. It was a lovely sight over the buildings, and trees to see the colors as the sun lowered in the horizon.

"I hope this time no one bothers us as we head back." He said softly to Elswyth.

"Well, if they do, I am more than capable of protecting you." She clasped his shoulder with a confident smile.

Looking at that smile, he found it hard to at all doubt her. Because he knew her confidence wasn't ill founded. She was very competent and had good senses and he found himself ever glad that she had his back.

As they walked the streets, Heron realized it was rather quiet. It was probably because of the time, but there seemed to be no one out.

Elswyth suddenly grabbed his hand and pulled him along. He was not sure why. Where they being followed? He didn't see anyone but he wouldn't be surprised if he had missed something that she had picked up on. Her sense of hearing was much better than his.

However as he looked at her face, she didn't have the concentrated look of someone trying to outrun a pursuer, but had a small smile on her face instead. Ah, well, he trusted her. Wherever she was leading him it would be fine.

She pulled him out of the city. He stumbled after her quietly. Even though he was confused as to where they were going.

As they continued walking she turned her head to him, "I was noticing that it's a full moon and thought that there was something that only shows up on full moons you would like to see. If we can find any that is."

"Ah." He smiled. "I look forward to seeing it then."

They didn't have to go far to find what she wanted to show him. Down aways from the city, in an almost hidden dell was a small meadow.

As the sun finished setting, and the moonlight began to glide softly into the crevices and over the entire meadow, smaller lights seemed to reflect its glow.

They were small flowers. The petals almost seemed to made of moonlight with how they seemed almost incorporeal. They were aglow with the silver light of the moon upon their blooming petals.

It was beautiful. He heard Elswyth chuckle at the look of delight on his face. "They're called moon flowers. Only bloom in the light of the full moon and can be hard to find. They are plentiful in Jarenkul though. I've heard that they have magical properties."

"Is that why you wanted to show me them?" He asked as he went down to investigate the flowers more closely.

"That and you like flowers and these are some rather pretty ones, huh?"

"How would I harvest them?" He asked. "Do they have to be used immediately? Or can they store?"

"You're the wizard. You tell me." She said with a laugh.

"Kur would know better. I've never studied these flowers before." He had never even heard of them before tonight. He was really glad she had decided to show him this.

She laughed softly, "Probably. Why not take a few to ask him tomorrow?"

He nodded and carefully cut a few of them. Afterwards they headed back to the castle. It was rather late by the time they got back, and Heron felt rather tired so he bid Elswyth a good night and headed to bed.

Morning dawned and after his and Elswyth's usual morning routine he asked Kur about the flowers. Kur frowned as he looked at them, checking them carefully before sighing in relief.

"Well, you stored them correctly. I didn't know you knew how to store flowers."

"It's a great interest of mine." Heron admitted.

"They can be used as long as they don't turn brown." Kur then said, "Though their effects are surprisingly stronger during the full moon, and are not very strong at all during the day."

"That's interesting. What exactly do they do?"

"Sleep potions." Kur said, "Well, during the day they can be used to make a relaxing tea that helps destress."

"I see." Heron nodded.

"That being said, how'd you like to learn to make potions?" Kur said an excited look on his face, "It's a useful skill for a wizard. Though, admittedly sleep potions can't really be used in combat. But I could teach you to make some that are."

"That could be useful." Heron grinned.

Elswyth as they talked had collapsed in one of the chairs, seeming to ignore their conversation.

Heron was a very interested student as Kur began walking him through potion making. Potions were basically liquid spells, that one would drink to get the effects of the spell.

Making potions required ingredients that were suitable, though it was not impossible to make potions out of unsuitable materials – just harder. Well, they had to be at least semi-suitable. Interestingly enough, if you didn't have the exact right herb, tea leaves were the most suitable substitute. Using such a substitute left room for a failed potion though, using correct ingredients was pretty much a guaranteed success.

Kur and Heron made a potion as Kur talked on this subject. He had chosen one he thought would be useful for Heron at some point. A potion that mimicked the spell for turning invisible.