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That night Arlana awoke suddenly. She wasn’t sure why she was awake but she thought that it had to do with her dream. Yet when she tried to think what it was about she couldn’t remember. She did remember that those eyes she imagined earlier in the day were in it. She also remembered that they had a name for those beautiful eyes. She wanted to say that she described them in her dream as coal eyes. Coal eyes? That couldn’t be right, Coal eyes would be black and she dreamed of hazel eyes.
Arlana sat up and looked out the window. The stars were out and it was a beautiful night. The silence outside was welcoming. She got up and put on her servant’s dress and decided to go for a walk. The night air was slightly chilly but felt wonderful. She had no idea where to go and stood at the quarter’s entrance wondering what to do. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She then felt it. She felt a tug as she walked in the direction of whatever it was that was pulling her. She opened her eyes after a few moments and saw that she was on the other side of the servants’ quarters staring into a vast field of vines. She walked into the vines and kept moving in the same direction. Whatever was pulling her was definitely pulling her northward. She stopped and closed her eyes and took another deep breath. She felt at peace and yet not complete at the same time. Something about the desire to move northward was overwhelming. She opened her eyes as she began to step forward and bumped into something tall and hard. She fell backwards and let out a yelp.
“Senorina Amber are you all right? What are you doing in the field in the middle of the night?”
Arlana looked up and found herself once again caught in the gaze of Salvatore. “I couldn’t sleep so I thought I would go for a walk. I closed my eyes for a moment and accidentally bumped into you. I am sorry. Are you ok?” She asked in a small voice.
“I am fine. You should not be out here so late. Something terrible could happen to you and that would be unbearable. Please let me walk you back to your quarters.”
He grabbed her elbow and led her away from the field. He was very quiet on their walk which made her nervous. She wondered if he was angry with her and it bothered her that this man could be upset with her.
“Here you are Senorina. Please be more careful. This is a safe place but I would hate for you to find yourself alone with Senor Antonio out this late at night. He is quite taken with you and he has no respect for anyone who is not in his social standing. I am sorry to be so forward but I must ensure you understand the danger you placed yourself in.”
“Oh Senor Salvatore. I appreciate your concern. Thank you for looking after me. I don’t know why I was out there I just felt as though it was important I go that way. I promise I won’t take late night walks again” she responded with a smile.
“I am sorry if I was harsh with you. It is strange but I feel that I must take care of you. It is so strange since we only just met. Well, um, sleep well. Tomorrow the dragon lady will keep you busy so it is important you get your rest.”
“Dragon lady?”
“Oh, uh, oops, um it is my nickname for Senora Draco. Please do not say it to anyone else. She is very tough like a dragon you see.”
“Ha ha I can understand that. The interview was very intense. Your secret is safe with me. Thank you for taking care of me. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Arlana gave him a hug and then froze. “Um I’m sorry I, uh, you seem so familiar to me, like family or something that I forget myself. I um, I should go inside. I am sorry about the hug. Please do not think poorly of me.”
“Strangely I feel the same. I am not affronted by your forwardness my lady. After all what man wouldn’t want to be held so close by a lovely girl such as you?” Salvatore said with a smile and then winked at her.
Arlana smiled turned and fled into the quarters. What was wrong with her? She changed into her nightclothes, lay down on her bed and went to sleep.