The scream pierced the clearing.  Merrill glanced back towards the source of the sound.

[b]”Callie,”[/b] he called out.

The figure stepped forwards into the light.  The girls skin was tanned, and her brown curly locks fell to her shoulders.  She wore a bright shawl of different colours, of purples, reds, yellows and oranges.  Dark brown breeches and black boots completed the travellers unusual garb.  

The flash of a knife reflected off the moon....

Merrill caught her wrist as she plunged the knife down.  Holding her gaze, Merrill held her hand above his chest, the edge of the blade threatening to come down.

[b]”You have hunted me.....all this time.  Why?”[/b]

Dulcimae shook her head.

[b]”Because of what you are.  What you will become.....brother.”[/b]

He could see it in her eyes.

[b]”You’re not committed to this course.  Your heart isn’t in it.  You, of all people should know better than to believe in prophecy Dulcimae.”[/b]

The knife fell from nerveless fingers, striking the ground.  Looking to her, Merrill shook his head.

[b]”I don’t have time for this Dulcimae.”[/b]

He raced back the way he came...

[CENTER]***[/CENTER]

Flames erupted around Callie.  The creature, whatever it was, went up in fire.  The next thing that Callie felt was pain as it sank its fangs into her leg.  Slithering back down, it wriggled and raced back into the shadows at the edge of the clearing as it burst into flame.

[b]”Callie, hang on!”[/b]

Merrill’s cry came from the distance.  Bursting into the clearing, he was shocked to see it in flame, and in the center of the fiery inferno was Callie.....

Trying to get to her, Merrill weaved around the flames......

He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him.  As he did so, the flames caught the back of his breeches, setting him on fire.....