In a time long before today had there been a great kingdom. It stood stately & venerable above all those surrounding, filled with the noblest of features & gracious of heart stretching back so old as to be endless.

A girl with leaf-like ears & elegant yet soft features had just become carved into the heart of this nation, risen up as the greatly adored princess.

Struck deep into the hearts of all who saw her, the beautiful girl became a cherished treasure to the land. Protectively the mother kept her deep within the home. Few were the times she saw another, rare was she seen by the kingdom but loved all the same.

Once the maiden saw on a courtier pearls which glittered so prettily, she asked for the alluring beads so mightily. Lovingly, her father marched his own might to the seas unopposed. Returned to her were mountains of the pristine white marbles. Their gleam though was dulled as each began to disappear amongst the mound, indistinct in their number.

Oh, how that short diplomat she met had such sparkling gems. What she would do to gain such beautiful trinkets. A demand of tithes was lain out, trades made, the house took in a mountain of crystals. Oh what joy was to her face when she first grasped them which filled every heart, then another, & another, & another... In short time the colored stones rested only deep in the vault.

What is this? Such a beautiful artistry in furnishings made from immense crimson trees, great & well cut. Surely there must be more of these gorgeous things for her to see out there. Word was placed that she wished for more & a nation followed, so loved was the young miss. More & more marvels were brought to feed that glorious smile, but when did it disappear among their count while the forest was emptied out?

Dear, can there be such a thing? My! Have ever you seen something more wondrous than this? Glistening so beautifully, ever changing, a dance with a company of such passion. There simply must be more of it! This prance of wonderful, inspiring color & life! It was set against her house, but oh was it so gorgeous amidst the march. Covetous, desiring, the girl sought it desperately. A thousand men, a thousand gold, a thousand steels given for the flying flowering fields of ruby & gold. Turned upon her was this light, along it did she dance. Of only this she knew she would not tire, for this form of raw lively prance, this warm embrace. Yet still after gracing her once it was ever leaving her against her adoration. That frolicking flow fled no matter how she fed it. Always fleeting in spite of what she sent, it alone she could not gain.

Beating thick was her heart. To it, everything went. Woodwork & gem & pearl, gold & men & tree. All-consuming was it, just as she. Nothing else would suffice. Father, mother, & kingdom, all just things to the fire. Stained deep in skirts, skin, & soul was the girl with billowing smoke whom kept feeding this pyre. Even before it all, her heart was the first thrown to the heat. Cast to become coals.

Now left of this kingdom is the lady of ash for whom all went to dust. Should folk step close the cinder shall gnaw for out comes a new fire in name of the lady of ash. Their glory to the Lady of Ash.