The Amulet Series: Queen of Fire - Chapter 0.5 (part two)

Warmth.

Scarlett awoke to the gentle movement of the flowing river water gracefully moving atop the riverbed and rocks in a laminar flow. The gentle rustling noises of the wind against trees was like a sweet lullaby to her ears. The moonlight shone bright against her closed eyelids. Was this heaven? Had she died? 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHAxxAxvQ9

Scarlett slowly opened her eyes half expecting snowy white angels gathering in a circle around to welcome her. But that was not the case.

She opened her eyes to the same forest in which she had been escaping from her attackers. One thing was clear: she was not dead. 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq4dHFMJbs

As memories resurfaced, Scarlett became more alert. She frantically searched the forest floor for the sword that she had but it was gone.

Scarlett found herself lying on the forest floor near a tree on top of a stark black jacket which she had no memory of having. There was a small fire burning in front of her eyes, casting light throughout the forest so she could see, and warming her up at the same time. The moon reflected itself in the glistening waters of the river right beside her. The bridge was clearly visible a little up the river. Scarlett felt hope flicker inside of her. Had she made it across? Was she safe? 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xyb9cTWNM

Scarlett attempted to get up only to feel pain from all over her body, causing her to drop back down again. She remembered the wounds she had on her arm and shoulder and began to examine them-- only to find that they'd already been bandaged up.

Scarlett was baffled. 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuce7sal0K1

She stared at the bandages wrapped around her arm and felt for the bandages around her shoulder, which was there, beneath the layers of her clothes.

Someone was here, she thought nervously, someone who knows that I'm here. 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3l8Vs8Mlr

She found her own dark jacket on the ground before her eyes and realized someone had removed her jacket and a few layers of clothing underneath to wrap the bandages around her shoulder. 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXWElDzc9E

She was more grateful rather than embarrassed. The bandages seemed to ease the pain quite a bit. She decided to look around for her helper and to thank them if they were still here. 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY7OXHO534

She struggled to a sitting position, slumping herself against a tree and wincing at the pain in her shoulder.

"I wouldn't move if I were you." Said a voice on the other side of the fire. Scarlett's heart slightly jumped at the sound of the voice and began to locate the source. But she could not find anyone. Behind the fire, beautiful willow trees parted, like a curtain, to reveal a dark figure of a young man walking through. Out of fear, Scarlett did not dare speak. Who was this person? 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3MsYk6wvW

"Dante Walker," The voice calmly said, as if he could read her thoughts, "and you are?"

Scarlett felt like she knew the name.

Scarlett hesitated for a moment before replying, "Scarlett Faye." 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxyyQKsL9x

There was a pause and then Dante spoke again. "Well Scarlett Faye, I believe you owe me a bit of thanks."

"Who are you?" Scarlett asked. 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG8EqBWQXa

"The one who just saved your life." Dante said.

"Ah...." Scarlett began with realization. "Well yes of course, thank you very much." 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2kVthIWmD

Dante stepped further into the clearing, stretching out his arms and cracking his knuckles. As he did, Scarlett caught a glimpse of his face with help from the light of the fire---and stared at him for an unbelievably long amount of time.

Oh god he was gorgeous. 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDqiwFV66x

He seemed about her age (she was 17), perhaps a year older.

His hair was a messy black, covering one eye completely. His visible eye was a pitch black colour which slightly intimidated Scarlett. The only problem was his aura. His presence radiated energy and power and something dark that she couldn't quite comprehend. She wasn't sure if she should trust him or not. Surely his presence had never gone unnoticed before. Despite his strange kindness, there seemed to be something dark hidden beneath his facade and it made her terribly anxious.

Scarlett looked away hastily, afraid of being caught staring. Her mother told her that it was rude to stare, and not how a lady should behave.

"If you don't mind me asking, why were there so many people after you. I'm sure it wasn't out of love." Even his voice was like a sweet lullaby to Scarlett's ears, but she wasn't taking any chances. 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5vrNE9QSC

Scarlett tried to concentrate on the situation at hand, deciding whether or not to tell Dante about her current situation. There were some things that shouldn't be said.

Especially when the others won't believe you. 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8CC6MxyIN

"Can I ask you a question?" Scarlett asked him.

Dante just looked at her. "You already have." 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y7xNJnbbJ

"Can I ask you two questions?"

"You already have." 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7vsz40fJk

Annoyance prickled inside Scarlett.

From the look on her face, Dante grinned. "Alright. What do you want to know?" 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qjpY0s5lF

"About you." She hesitated, "and what you did to those people."

Dante returned his attention to the fire burning in front of him and stared at it for a long amount of time, his look gradually becoming distant, until he was gazing at almost nothing at all. Finally he looked up from his temporary trance and scanned the clearing, where the trees did not dare grow. Scarlett wondered why he was being so cautious but decided not to comment on it. Everyone had their reasons. 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK9pEB273b

Finally, Dante took a deep breath and spoke, "You fight quite well."

Scarlett looked at him in confusion but did not mention the fact that he didn't exactly answer her question.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOJ4BlFfQA

"How did you know about this?" She asked him, suspicion in her voice. Dante bent down to the forest floor and produced a shiny object which was lying on the floor. He tossed it to her lazily. Scarlett was taken by surprise.

It was the sword. 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWO2R4P9hl2

The same sword she'd used to fight.

Scarlett opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. She was overtaken by her confusion and surprise.

Dante shrugged. "The sword's mine." He said nonchalantly. 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdXdfFvtpG

Scarlett realized that he must have dropped the sword to her when she was hiding from the assassins. He was helping her. But why?

Scarlett picked up the sword and examined it. "It is very beautiful." She said. 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZmv0TaDKT

Dante slowly walked over to her and bent down, gently taking the sword from her. "Of course it is," he said proudly. "But I do believe you have ruined the blade with their filthy blood." He said, a little irritation in his voice.

Scarlett felt embarrassed as she noticed dried blood on the blade. "Ah.... I'm sorry about that."

Dante shook his head, "No matter. I'll just clean it up. Your safety is much more valuable."

Scarlett gave a small smile, and quickly returned to her suspicious self. She mustn't let her guard down. "But whatever happened to the ones who wanted to kill me? And how did you know I was here?" Scarlett asked. Asking too many questions might get her into trouble, but she couldn't help herself. 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCHTrh8FbI

Dante's gaze suddenly turned dark and so frighteningly hostile so fast that Scarlett wanted to move away as far as possible. "The fate of those who wished to bring you harm should be of no more concern to you." He responded viciously. The aura of friendliness that was radiating out of him suddenly morphed into something so malicious that it sent shivers up Scarlett's back. But as quickly as it came, it vanished, replaced by a geniality that seemed......wrong.

Dante stood up and sauntered away from her. She silently hated the way his attitude kept changing. She didn't know how to react to his calm and collected manner. 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKi7WX3cvU

His every move was somehow alerting Scarlett in every possible way, as if he were a snake ready to lash out at any given time. Finally, he turned around, making Scarlett flinch a tiny bit (she hoped he didn't catch that.)

"However, if you must know the outcome of your assailants, then know this: you'll never see them again." He gave her a hard look. "Ever." 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFTbfNPfCm

Scarlett didn't need to ask again to know what that meant.

She nodded slowly. Dante gave her a smile which seemed fake, merely hiding the satisfaction of making her anxious. "Enough about that," he began, "now, as I was asking earlier, why were there so many of them after you?"

Scarlett took a deep breath. Why should she answer him? Did he answer any of her questions? Scarlett was about to say this to him but decided against it. Any careless act could get her into trouble. He seemed like someone who would leave her to die if he could. But then why would he rescue her in the first place? She sighed. It was no use. 850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG599qnRa6

"My family has been living in this forest for generations." She began. To her surprise, Dante sat down across from her and began listening almost immediately, crossing his legs. He looked like a child. Again the change of mood.

Hesitating, Scarlett continued: "My family is not exactly what you would call wealthy. They sort of were, but not quite. For generations, my family has been loyal to the king of Badel for his kindness and undying generosity. We would do anything for the sake of the kingdom." She paused, letting Dante process her words. "But there is another King. Up north. The king of Thalan."

Dante nodded. "Ah yes. The Depraved one."

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Chapter 0.5 (part two)

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