Valerik’s Quest 7: Tale of the Immortal

Valerik sat in front of the flame warming his hands, though he needed none of the warmth. He'd never needed help staying warm in the cold, not in a very long time.

Helva sat on the other side of the flame, a woman of considerable age. Her head bore a full set of hair, and her skin sagged. She held her hands outstretched before the flame while the stick she seemed unable to walk without laid on the floor beside her. She, unlike him, needed the fire.