Amelia Finch watched the scholar leave. She remained squatting at the foot of Mount Cinderwood, still pondering how to get up the mountain.
But then, the man who had just left came running back in a panic. His eyes wide with terror, he pointed into the distance and stammered in a hushed, trembling voice, "D-Demon..."
Amelia Finch frowned. "Quiet."
The scholar immediately clapped both hands over his mouth, nodded vigorously, and huddled behind her.
Amelia Finch then drew the dagger she carried, holding it in a reverse grip in her right hand as she stared intently at the spot the scholar had indicated.
But the scholar, who had seemed so panicked, broke into a grotesque smile. A forked tongue, like a snake's, darted out to lick his lips.
'I searched high and low to no avail, only to have it fall right into my lap.'
