"First, would you allow me to remove these chains?" Penelope asked the woman, her voice gentle.
The woman didn't give any hint that she had understood. Her face was in her hands. She covered her eyes, and her body trembled.
Penelope produced a small purple knife with her flames. It was small enough that she could have hidden it in her hand if she had closed her fist. As unintimidating a tool as one could likely use for the job. Then, as gently as she could, she ceased a hold of the chains, and allowed the hot knife to redden them, before it slid straight through.
The woman's fear immobilizing her seemed to make her all the easier for Penelope to work with. Bit by bit, she removed the shackles, taking the cuffs away from the woman's wrist as well.
