"Ashen One."

Ashen One, hearest thou me? She opened her eyes beneath the silver crown. A nameless woman. A woman whose hands are scarred, a punishment for staying too close to the fire, as she was nothing but a soul gullible to the temptation of its warmth, and a soul innocent of the consequences of its frenzy.

As this particular Unkindled One amongst many extinguished souls gave a tilt of the head, she could only guess that it was out of concern and curiosity. She shook her head dismissively. "I am truly sorry to worry thee. It is just… an echo that resounds within me, Ashen One. So, what may bring thee upon me once more? Perchance thou hast harvested the wandering souls?"

A nod was given to her. She stretched her hands once more. Then, she wondered for the first time, My hands... they are... She had never hesitated before. However, she found herself averting her gaze. Her hands dropped to her sides.

"Truly sorry again, Ashen One," whispered she to herself rather than to the Unkindled One who was standing there, plausibly stunned by her unusual plight. She dared not. She just padded away. The heaps of ashes felt like gravel under her bare feet. Upon inhaling a shaky breath, she was acutely aware of the smell of bonfire, heavy ashes permeating in the air, and... "And I do feel nothing at all." She heavily sat down at the foot of the staircase.

Her head slowly lifted, and she faced Lord Ludleth, who was watching her wordlessly. She wondered what Lord Ludleth wished to convey to her with his kind yet penetrating gaze.

She averted her gaze again; it was too much to bear the weight of silent reproach upon her small shoulders. Her fingers, though adorned with unbecoming scars, caressed the ashes around her. She scooped a handful of them, opened her palms, and felt as they slipped through her fingers. Fleeting. Ephemeral. Despite the warmth they once held when burning brightly with the First Fire. Enough to blind those eyes! Enough to seduce the Dark Souls from the belly of Hell!

Then, she felt a hand on her right shoulder. The weight. And the warmth…