Predecessor

Drifting in the darkness, Ashlynn had very little sense of direction. Her mind sank deep into the mud and the soft soil beneath it before following the roots of countless trees, moving from on to the next until she'd heard faint sounds and followed them here, but now, it felt like she could move no further and yet the voice was still very, very far away. 

"Who are you?" Ashlynn asked hesitantly. "And what do you mean I've inherited your curse?"

"I? Who am I?" The voice asked as though she found the question somehow strange. The sound of rhythmic clicking that had accompanied paused and when the voice spoke again, she dod so in a tone that was far more commanding and… regal than before. "I am the Mother of Trees, the first human born a witch. I am Claire du Gaal of the house du Gaal," she said. "Surely time has not forgotten my name so soon?"