"And you're sure about him?" You ask.
"He is a Lord of Cinder. He linked the flame, and then remained of his own volition to do so once more." Hawkwood replies, eyes narrowing slightly. "I'd be offended if I didn't know that you do not truly understand the meaning of such acts."
Well, if Hawkwood feels that meeting this 'Ludleth' is so important, and if there is a chance he has some idea about what exactly is happening, it would be smart to just go and see him. Besides, it's not like it's that big of a hassle.
"Alright, let's go then." You say. "So is it the same thing as last time? Just put your hand over the fire, think, and off you go?"
"Yes, although when you put it like that it does sound a tad bit silly." Hawkwood replies, the slightest hint of amusement visible on his otherwise dour face.
"Well, here goes nothing." You say as you reach over. As your hand closed near the flame, you feel a pull on your body, before you feel something pulling you in and-
You blink, and you find yourself at the shrine once more, seated before the bonfire. Hawkwood is across from you, although he seems a bit woozy as he sways slightly.
"I will never not hate that." He states flatly to nobody in particular as he stands up. You do the same, as you scan the room in hopes of finding this 'Ludleth."
"Lord Ludleth, we have come to speak with you." You hear Hawkwood say. You turn to see him on one knee before one of the thrones.
"Now, now, there is no need for such formality, Ser Hawkwood." Replies a calm, quiet voice. Raising your head, you finally see this Ludleth for yourself.
You can't be blamed for missing him, despite being in the same room as him for quite some time. Ludleth is a small, short man, with skin the color of burn wounds. Perhaps it'd be more apt to call his entire body a burn wound, seeing as he completely lacks legs entirely. The throne he is seated on is the same color as his skin, and the robes he wears are a dark orange, with the bottom a burnt black. Calling him small is a bit of an understatement really; seated as he is, he's unable to so much as reach the arm rests of his throne, and even if he still had his legs, you doubt he'd be even as tall as you. Resting on his head is a crown just slightly too big for his head. Yet as you look upon him you get an impression of regal authority; that the being in front of you earned the title of "Lord", yet it feels hollow in some way.
"Ah yes, my apologies." Hawkwood says almost abashedly. It's almost ironic, considering how he respecfully he speaks, that he wishes for others to not be so formal with him.
"I see the girl hath been returned safely, but for what reason doest thou have for such an event?"
"I'd like to request for you to examine her." Hawkwood begins. "She s made some rather... interesting claims that need to be verified, and I feel you would perhaps be the only one qualified to do such."
Ludleth doesn't actually respond verbally. He simply raises an eyebrow (or rather where his eyebrow should have been, instead being a pile of burn tissue) and motions for you to come closer.
With a quick leap, you reach the throne, and stand before Ludleth in all of his glory. Or you would, if he seemed to have much of any. He, in turn, examines you, his head resting on his linked hands.
"My, my. What have we here?" He finally says, sounding less confused than fascinated. "Thou'rt Hollow, and yet Unkindled.
You blink. "Excuse me?"
"Thine body is naught but a corse, lacking a soul in its entirety, yet thou art clearly ash." Ludleth says.
"There must be a mistake." Hawkwood says from below before you can even respond "You say she's Hollow, but there are no signs of such."
"Indeed, and while I am sure of thine expertise on the matter," Ludleth states, "it is fact nonetheless. As to how such an event could transpire, I am unsure..."
He seems to ponder the possibilities, before his eyes move to look upon your hand, whereupon they widen in surprise.
"What is that ring upon thine finger?" He asks, curiosity evident in every word. He points to the finger your soul gem rests on in ring form.
"It's my Soul Gem." You state. You slide the ring off and transform it back into its normal state. "Yes, the name is literal."
While you can hear Hawkwood's confusion being made evident in the many questions he's suddenly throwing at you, Ludleth raises a hand and he stops, although you can practically feel he how much he doesn't want to. Ludleth then reaches one of his small hands over to you. "May I?" He simply asks.
You once more part with your soul gem. Unlike the Handmaid who seemed to treat it more as a gem, the way that Ludleth holds it is much more academic in nature, as if he were studying it in some way.
(Hiding from a Master Craftsman: 6 - 30 = -24)
"My word." He states in sheer reverence. "This truly is a masterpiece, one of the finest works of soul transposition I've ever beheld. Better than even the works of Master Ornifex." Ludleth looks back up at you then back at the gem, as if following an invisible trail. "And yet the soul remains intact in the process..." He pauses, as he seemingly has a revelation of some sort. He turns his gaze to Hawkwood, who raises an eyebrow in response.
Ludleth looks back to you. "Who could hav- no, 'tis irrelevant." He says with a shake of his head. He gently places the soul gem back in your hands, yet his eyes do not leave it, even as it returns to its ring state. "I see now, thine body is hollow for thy soul resides elsewhere. It seems the legends of the King of Want possess a grain of truth." A thin smile crosses his face.
"Can somebody please explain to me what the bloody hell is going on here?" Hawkwood nearly shouts, his voice echoing through the shrine hall.
"Patience, Ser Hawkwood, for there is much to discuss." Ludleth calmly states. "First, however, may I request thine departure, for I must speak with Lady Miki in private."
The look on Hawkwood's face, out of context, would look absolutely hilarious. His normally dour face practically vibrates with restrained energy, as he keeps himself back. After a moment he sighs and nods. "Fine, but when I get back,
I expect answers." With that, he strolls out of the shrine, seemingly heading to wherever he went last time.
As soon as he's gone, you turn to Ludleth. "How do you know my name?" You ask, alarmed. You haven't even spoke to this guy before. Also, Lady Miki?
Ludleth lets out a light chuckle. "I merely overheard its mention whilst thou were conversing with Ser Hawkwood." He says. "I apologize, for there is little else that can be done seated upon mine throne."
After a moment you let out a sigh, before you speak.
"Fair enough." You say almost warily. While it is pretty creepy, you can't really argue against it. The dude doesn't have legs, it's not like he has much to do just sitting around all day. At least he isn't butting into other people's conversations you suppose. Still very creepy though, seeing as he just seems to keep quiet all the time.
"Now, whilst thine companion is away," While Ludleth's face and posture never seem to change, the tone in his voice does, cooling dramatically, until each word being delivered feels almost frosty, "mayst thou inform me as to why thine soul is abyssal in nature?"
Crap.
[] Try and come up with an explanation.
-[] Such as?
[] Come clean.
[] Write In.
