Murder Mystery at MacRuari Keep

[Lady Rosalind Avalle]

Editor's Note: Specific clues were sent out in IMs and e-mails, and are only referenced to in play. I'm not certain if this log will be an accurate account of what our night of fun was like, but hopefully, that will only inspire more to come to our next mystery night event! Thank you again to everyone who participated. It was everything I was hoping for and much, much more!

Part I
Entrance

Narrator: It was not a dark and stormy night. In fact, it was a mild day with a gentle, warm breeze sweeping inland, scented with spring's greening world and the sweetness of the season's first blossoms. The sun had just set, and a thin band of bright color remained in the west. Inside MacRuari Keep, it was just dark enough that the torches had all been lit. There was not enough fire to remind anyone standing here of the chaos that had sparked the clan wars in March, but the rubble remained, and that was perhaps reminder enough that MacRuari Keep was not such a peaceful place as the fading day let on. Rumor had spread very quickly about a treasure hidden within the keep. Whether the rumors had substance or not was contentious, but a few brave souls were willing to face the memories haunting the crumbling keep. Whether it was to prove or disprove the treasure's existence, the motives were great and small, but who would ride for a day just to quiet gossiping tongues? The lure of wealth bypassed even the most logical minds, and lent an electric glow to the air that charged each arrival with excitement.

The keep was of simple construct. The crumbled eastern wall had once housed the gate and guardhouse, but was now a mess of wooden scaffolding and work abandoned for the evening by the keep's laborers. From the bailey to the main entrance was a wide yard of trampled and singed grass, with a great pit of mud carriages and horses were certain to avoid as they pulled up along the gravel-lined path. Footmen were efficient in unloading passengers, while stable boys were so well practiced in their chores they barely looked up while snapping on leads and dragging horses off toward the stables. Servants led the way through the front door leading to a tidy foyer, and collected whatever hats, gloves, and cloaks were offered, to secret them away in a small closet.

Siobhan: Finally, a small bit of freedom as it were. A lady-in-waiting for her chaperon, not to mention this was an event that the lady Rosalind would be hosting, which meant, opportunity to make nice with another clan. She could count the ways of how her father had agreed. Arrival by carriage had gone smooth and quickly, leaving the lady to step out with the help of another and waiting eagerly for her lady-in-waiting to come along. Breeze or not, she held the plum cloak wrapped around her form and when they were waved towards the doors, she eagerly moved towards them with a little bounce in her step, before it vanished. ``Do not fall out of the game so quickly, Getchua.`` Siobhan warned, though the Maiden was closer to her age, so her spirit was just as young as she moved closer to Siobhan and held the woman's hand as they moved inside on sturdy boots. Among the rest of the small crowd, they waited and mingled in short burst with those they knew.

Jack: When one thought of treasure, wasn't it natural to think of pirates as well? Did the minds eye conjure up a thin line of trooping figures marching across the shore of some distant island, marching with an assortment of picks and spade draped over their shoulders? Aye, it seemed as though pirates and treasure went hand in hand! And one would suppose, of course, that it had been the tales of hidden and forgotten treasure that had brought the Irish rogue and (semi-)reformed pirate Jack Flynn to Macruari Keep? As the Irishman stepped from the Duchess' carriage, he was dressed in plain and sturdy clothing -- well enough to be trooping around the haunted grounds of the ancient keep and the moorlands around it. As the Irishman slowly surveyed they country side, he would half-turn and offered his hand to Bess. Was it the Irishman's imagination, or had he heard a bean sidhe's moan in the wind? The blew through the old fortress, seeming to carry words in it. A breathy whisper of "Dead men tell no tales....."

Brennah: The Lady Brennah Teagan had been one of the many that decided to venture forth in something that was very interesting to her to say the least. She was a woman of books, arts, and other Lady like things and did enjoy a good time or adventure more than just often. In fact, the young woman seem to find such things when not even looking for them. As she dismounted Asher to leave him to the capable hands of those who saw to the horses, her bright blue eyes gave a long sweeping gaze of the place and its surroundings before moving in. It was truly something mysteriously alluring and she couldn't wait to get started with things. Hands gathered up the pale green skirts as she entered and would begin taking note of the other arrivals, greeting them with a sweet warm smile and a soft nod of her head.

Dora: Dorie put her straw sunhat into the cloak room, sweeping along in her nice tan lindsey wool gown, with matching apron. Her gray streaked hair was done up in a bun and there was a wild daisy tucked over one ear. She looked left and right, still self conscious she was but a servant lady, come along on a lark. "Cour! This here be a real fixer-upper!" she murmered to herself, observing the entry hall of the once grand edifice.

Lucius: To say that Scotland was filled with rich history was a severe understatement, at least for an immigrant into the lands. During the entire ride, Lucius' gaze was surveying the surroundings, gazing up at the castle, clearly aged by time and war, though not without its own somewhat haunting beauty. Stepping out of the carriage, booted feet landed softly on the ground as hands smoothed out the dark brown sleeveless suede jerkin and the sleeves of the pale tunic underneath. As the newly knighted man made his way toward the door, hands gripped his cloak and pulled it more about his shoulders, though he paused in his task as dark eyes set upon a familiar cloak and figure. A smirk appeared on his lips as he wove his way through the croak quickly. ``You wear a familiar cloak, my Lady.`` Lucius stated, coming up behind Siobhan and jogging to her side. Brown eyes cast a glance to the woman that Siobhan was with, and respectfully he dipped his cleft chin. Once again, his attention turned back to Siobhan with the smile on his face, the brown cloak resting on his shoulders. ``I did not think to see you here, of all places. I am glad to see a...good friend here.`` And when the two ladies paused, Lucius did as well, having a mind to take the chance and stay by Siobhan's side using the mystery castle as a reasonable excuse.

Kye: As a stable boy took away the borrowed horse Kye silently fell in line to move towards the inside of the keep. Large blue eyes swept all about her, taking in the ruined keep and those entering. She felt out of place among these citizens of Skye. Like a stow away, or intruder. She didn't yet think of this place as home, no where was home. The young woman looked no differently than the rest, except for perhaps not as nicely dressed. The clothes, like the horse, were not her own, but borrowed. The cloak handed over as she entered was plain brown, like the trousers. The deep blue of her tunic was colorful enough with her wide, fair features. It was simple attire to hide a complex being within. Off to the side she steps, right hand tugging at a blonde lock which fell from her braid. What was she doing here? Curiosity. Life may have bruised her body and soul, but it hadn't yet broken this one.

Bess: From the grand carriage would come a plain clothed Irishman with a shovel, reaching out for whom else but the hand of the woman for whom all this was an investigation into family legacy! "Well, this settles in, m'husband's family n' by way some o' my own cousins were fookin' crazy." Unabashed tongue expressed unabashed glee as two firm boots planted on the ground. But no sway of skirt tonight! Black boots with black breeches, a white lien shirt embroidered with flower spray, all held together by a high waist cinch that kept the upper delights where they ought to be! Golden hair twisted round a thin (sharp) hair stick, this was the appropriate business for dallying with old legends and scolding her shovel carrying companion. "Och, lovely. Ah'll introduce ye tae the ghosts wot come tae raid them. Superstitious m'arse.." And onward, to the cloak room, to see the familiar! Ah, family.

Narrator: Where does the treasure hunt begin? Well, as any great hunt, it begins with a map and a mystery. While the map has yet to be found, it was a commotion starting at the top of the great stone staircase that introduces our mystery. A redheaded servant with a lazy blue eye bounded down the steps as soon as each of the arrivals had settled in, and without preamble, announced, "Hai! Ye greedy souls! Back tae yer houses and hames afore Death greets ye, too! This keep has seen tae much sufferin', and I'll no permit ye thieves within these tortured walls! Catriona inghean Donnchaidh is dead, an' wi' her gaes th' last word of the treasure ye seek. Be gone!" Huffing, the redheaded servant stomped back up the stairs and promptly disappeared. He did not round the corner, mind. He disappeared. Vanished into thin air. As those gathered looked around, they would notice the foyer had several points of interest, though none quite so interesting as the landing. The carpet had been mostly burnt away by fire, but a picture hanging overlooking the small room was untouched by flames. There were no windows in the room, but torches were set in the walls. They were burning low, however, and cobwebs hung in the corners. Along a shadowy wall was a looking glass. Rosalind herself stayed right where she was, unsure if the disappearing redhead was reason to doubt coming back to the keep when she still had such violent nightmares involving these stone walls. But her smile was amiable enough, and she chatted with those who greeted her, hoping this social event went much better than the preceding, rather sticking out from the others in a sky blue dress, her arms draped in a light cotton bliaut of a slightly darker blue, hair pinned back just to keep it out of her face.

Siobhan: A sweet smile was given to Lucius as he came closer, though it was short lived as she cleared her throat. ``Sir Lucius. It is good to see you as well. My hand maiden, Getchua.`` She saw Lady Brennah as well and waved towards the woman before she looked up, to see the warning given and the servant vanish...IN THIN AIR! Siobhan's fearless adventuring nature was in full swing. ``Good Luck, Sir Knight!, Lady Brennah!`` A brush of her hand moved by Lucius' but not in a way to be noticed as her hand maiden held on to her while Siobhan went towards the PICTURE. Dibs! Clearing her throat, Siobhan gave a wide smirk, as she by passed everything and lifted her slender fingers upwards, to feel the picture and shift it. What have we here!

Jack: When one considered they Irishman, they'd ever have to agree that he cut a rather dashing figure. Dark buckskin trousers tucked into the cuffs of boots that reached to the middle of calf, while he wore a long sleeved tunic under a leather long coat. As the Irishman regarded the stairs, and the disappeared figure that had lingered there, he reached up with his hand to move the tricorn that he wore back. His eyes narrowed quietly, as he murmured, "That've be Ben Gunn,then?" He sighed, shaking his head quietly. Aye, dead men tell no tales indeed. There was a chill down his spine, as he slowly turned full circle to study the room. "Why dae I have the feelin' tha' tha bean sidhes 'ave nae finished keenin' fer those wot died here?" He glanced over to Bess, shaking his head. Then he began humming a sea chantie. Fifteen men on a dead man's quest....

Brennah: Brennah's blue eyes turned to look to the servant as he appeared, giving his warning and then vanishing just as quickly. Both brows arched, and the young woman's sense of adventure would heighten. She then looked to the others, curious about the others reaction. It was here she would spot the Lady Siobhan with her wave of greeting. Brennah returned it just the same but it would include her maiden, and the young man near her. Brennah also noticed the blonde haired woman in trousers and smiled to her. It was genuine and she would have gone over to say hello, but Brennah spotted something of intrest and decided to inspect it closer. It was the LOOKING GLASS that held the gaze and intrigue of the young mixed blood of a Scot and Welshman. However, she would make it appoint to go and introduce herself to the blonde woman in due time.

Dora: Dorie blinked as the red haired servant vanished, as in to thin air. How she would like to be able todo that, once her mistress found out what she had not told her. The idea of a looking glass drew her and she tip toed closer, for although her new husband told her she was indeed beautiful , Dora just had to see for herself. She peeked into the glass, at one corner,carefully. "I hope it do not tell me I got wrinkles by me eyes."

Lucius: Brown eyes turned to Getchua and he nodded to the woman, the light smile still on his face even as his eyes turned to Siobhan. Turning his and, Lucius brushed his long fingers against the palm of hers quickly before she and her hand-maiden went to study the picture. Meanwhile, after tearing his eyes away from Siobhan, Lucius turned his head to see the blonde woman, youthful by appearance, and he smiled. ``I do not think this is a place you want to be alone and found without some company.`` He said, inviting her to join their group--which had splintered off for the moment to discover clues. to the LOOKING GLASS he went, though Brennah was already inspecting it herself as well. Flashing a light smile, he bowed his head to the woman, a hand raising to brush the back of his fingers against the bottom of his lightly bearded chin. ``Mysteries always surround looking glasses, I wonder what lies with this one.`` Lucius commented.

Kye: Attention had been upon the room, sweeping along the walls and ground from left to right. That gaze lingered on nothing particular, simply taking in the many details of the room, until the sudden burst of activity at the top of the stairs. Lids flutter in a series of blinks, surprised and taken slightly aback by the outburst, and followiing disappearance of the redhead. A step towards the stairs is taken, habitually drawn towards the encounter. Another voice brings the young mix breed to turn instead towards the speaker, Lucius. The smile which slips across those full lips seems heavy on her face and without laughter. Instead of saying she could take care of herself very well thank you, she offers a quiet, "Merci, sir..." and steps towards the group. Her gaze was not on the looking glass though, but at the burnt carpet. She couldn't help but stare at it while rubbing the toe of her boot against its surface. Fire. Such a terrible destroyer..

Rosalind: Rosalind watched as the others went about the room. Something told her there was more there -- a clue they were missing. There must be something else to investigate, certainly? Her eyes swept the walls, lined with torches. They were all covered with cobwebs, at least as safe as cobwebs could form without flaming innocent spiders. The windows were too high up to peer out of, but she noticed the light beginning to fade, and dropped out of her current conversation to think, her eyes falling then to the burnt carpet below her feet. So many had died here, that night. Herself almost included, save for a very fortunate turn of events, in a life that had not had much luck to begin with.

Bess: "MacRauris were loons.." she muttered to her companion. What the..the voice along the stairs offered angered caution. And to precede where the dead themselves said turn back? "Ah've had tae much ale o' o'er Beltaine," she attributed, and the mead? " makin me a might daft." With the burn marks, somehow the destruction called to her to notice the one perfect relic, an image that called her attention. The MacRauris had an obsession with encyption as she went to the picture of disproportions. Smaller plants than animals? Unicorns, bears, and a golden eagle? "G'evenin.." She bid young Siobhan and her companion, "Hope ye dun nay mind another lookin' ere Kye wasn't really looking for clues. This wasn't a treasure hunt for her, but an experience. She couldn't visit the burned up remains of another house, so this one drew her. Like the charred carpet.. and the torches. Something with ye? M'husband's grandfather n' those stuck in the family by marriage developed a fondness fer oddity.." Her hands reached up to touch the gilded edges, then the eagle itself. Old MacRuari's symbol. Did you point to anything? Why were you so pristine, when all else had erupted in flames? "Alright, Cousin Alan. Ah be lookin' now...ye 'ave us 'ere, wot more secrets dae ye got... "Eagles..tha' was the MacRauri...sae..the unicorn...the bear...." She reached up for a torch if one was nearby...trying to study the images further.

Lucius: As eyes gazed over the surface of the looking glass, Lucius wondered what story a seemingly aged artifact carried. How many mothers and daughters had stared at their reflection through this very piece. Lucius had seen a few of them before in the market, rather expensive. Stepping closer to the looking glass upon the wall a hand reached out to touch the glass surface, noting the texture of it. Lucius arched a brow, and wondered what rested behind the glass mounted on the wall.

Siobhan: They were a strange bunch, to say the least. Why would the pictures be of that? Siobhan wrinkled her nose, not putting the clue together at the moment, before she moved towards the torches and looked them over. reaching up, she cleared some of the cob webs before moving towards the stair case, to investigate around there. Eyes moved all over. She noted the fading light and moved closer.

Brennah: Brennah looked to Lucius and nodded in agreement, once she was done inspecting the looking glass, she generously handed it over. It did look odd in a certain aspect, but something to her about it didn't come off quite as she had thought originally. She then took a few steps, boots scuffing at the burnt carpet as she moved across the floor before she neared the torches. It perhaps wasn't the torches that intrest her as much as the stones that held them and surrounded them. Her gloved hands moved over the creases before lowering and allowing one hand to pull the leather free from its opposite. The pads of slender digits returned to the cracks, crevices and creases over the stone blocks as her eyes continued to scrutinize as closely as possible as she slowly inched over.

Dora: The fading light dimmed the reflective quality of the looking glass, so Dora was pleased with her image, and she began to look elsewhere. "No one has cleaned this area for long while. And I wonder who lit them torches? Are they gonna go blink vanish like the serving man did?" She reached for a torch, for she was scairt o the real deep dark.

Kye: Kye wasn't really looking for clues. This wasn't a treasure hunt for her, but an experience. She couldn't visit the burned up remains of another house, so this one drew her. Like the chared carpet.. and the torches. Something flickered, and like a moth to the flame she found herself moving towards it. Plain, simple things. Nothing special. But there *was* something there. Without thinking she shoves a hand behind the thing, grabbing at the slip of paper hidden behind it. "Ouch," is muttered as she manages to burn herself in the process. The slight pain is ignored, nothing more than an irritation compaired to the curiosity for the note. Unfolding it she reads it, lips turning into a slight frown. A love letter? Not like one she'd ever seen..."C..? " Hm. Didn't that servant man say the name Catriona?

Bess: "Rosalind...woman, wot 'ave ye been readin.." She looked to her lady-in-waiting who'd developed a thirst for local legends. Beathag was right up there these days, they usually tended to tell her something. One day, they'd have to talk about how the crazed chamberlain's old songs told them about murder.

Jack: There was another slow turn about for the Irishman, as he let his eyes play over the room. As he walked toward the walls, there was a slow cant of his head. With the light fading fast, the old raider knew the importance of having one's own torch. Specially when the darkness was coming, to hamper the mood. As the Irishman slid the burning torch form it's spot, he held it in front of him. As he turned, heading toward the landing where the unquiet shade had appeared, he would pause. There was a look back at the wall, over his shoulder. There was a cant of his head, before he shook his head. Wasn't it only in stories where taking a torch resulted in the sound of stone against stone as some secret passage was revealed? There was no examination - quick or in depth - before he returned to the landing. The smell of fire and smoke from the torch, he felt a chill down his spine. With the other scent that tickled his nose? He murmured, "Nae wander this place burned....." Drew cautious explored the landing. "The damn fools used pitch in 'ere....." Fire meeting pitch and wood was the greatest fear of any sailor. Why? Because those substances -- wood, canvas, pitch, and sai cloth -- turned immediately into hell upon the water when touched with flame.

Rosalind: "Oh, I do not know, madam, but I heard some very interesting rumors at the pubs last night." She shrugged lightly and smiled. Whatever she was doing at the pubs at dockside was her business alone, really, but it was curious that such a refined lady mentioned them at all.

Bess: "Hmm. Ye are gaein' tae love Blue Castle then, when we get home.." She used a torch in hand as the encroaching darkness took hold. While Adam was off in England, she was delving deep into familial insanity!

Lucius: Seeing nothing, and not wanting to break the thing, Lucius shrugged his shoulders lightly and turned to glance over to Siobhan. While others looked here and there at the objects, Lucius moved toward Siobhan and brushed his fingers against her arm to let her know he was near before eyes traveled over the staircase. Lucius' fingers casually laced with Siobhan's own.

Siobhan: What did others find? Siobhan and her hand maiden turned to look over the other faces, whispering among each other what they think clues might be hiding. As Sir Lucius came towards her, Siobhan gave a smug look. ``Did you find anything, Sir Lucius?`` Any way to get ahead! She felt the brush of his hand on her arm and fingers laced with his, using the plum cloak to cover them holding hands briefly so she could give his hand a squeeze. ``They liked animals..that was all she was giving for free! Eyes danced over to see what Dora was talking about.

Bess: "Och, well there Dorie, ello! Did ye bring yer Clovis with ye?" Both hand seemed destined for the same location! At least the women were of a similar mind, and being not so distant in age she could appreciate being one of the sages among all these younger lilies. What, was this....."Say..say Dora lass, ye feel tha?"

Dora: Look at this here, Lady, "she reached her claw of a hand into a empty metal space back of the torch. "What this here be?" and shows a slim chain with something on it, for Bess to view.(d)

Bess: "C...it says..maybe it 'as a paintin' inside....oh..well." Not a painting, but..hair? It was a lover's token then! Part of her belly twisted in a lurch as she muttered something about how love in this clan never boded well. "Well, m'lady, m'thinks ye should come n' stick with Jack n' I, aye, wot say ye..." Siobhan was curious, and so came to look at the locket and hair as well. Fear? A healthy dose kept one lucid, didn't it?

Brennah: Not finding anything that would perhaps indicate she was close to a clue, she moved back over to the carpet she dragged her boots across. The toes of a boot scuffing at the edge of the carpets fabric, uncovering what lay beneath, perhaps here she would find something to help her. She even squatted, regardless how unladylike like it might be, but at least her knees were together! Her ungloved hand came to touch, and feel.

Dora: "Tis jewelry? " She stood with the torch upheld so both might see what Bess had now in her hand.

Rosalind: "Pitch," Rosalind murmured. "That is what they used to bring down the walls." She shuddered, though she was good at hiding her horror behind the perfect mask of the courtier. She had been here that night, though she had emerged from the underground too late to see the great explosions that had rocked the ceilidh floor.

Bess: "Love token, 'as 'air in it m'dear....Love...in this family ne'er boded well towards the collapse.." No one saw her mother, Adam's mother, Adam's grandmother, or any MacRauris around for that matter did they

Kye: That blonde head is lifted, gaze moving over towards the lady Bess and.. Dora? Locket and hair? Inching closer she asks quietly, "Can I see?"

Lucius: Lucius grinned a bit and shook his head, his hand returning the squeeze. ``Nothing but a mirror..aparently whoever lived her had a need for vanity and appearance, my Lady`` He replied. Animals? Lucius arched a brow and moved closer to Siobhan, his thumb brushing over her knuckles gently, the folds of his cloak and her own hiding their momentarily joined hands.

Dora: "A lock of a love's hair be a good gift, methinks."

[Lady Rosalind Avalle]

Part II
The Great Hall

Rosalind: "Ah, but that was interesting," Rosalind said, turning in a slow circle to survey the room and its occupants. "Seems as though we have a real mystery on our hands in addition to possible gold. Shall we move to another room? I do not think what we are looking for is here." Rosalind walked toward the large double doors that many who had attended the ceilidh would recognize as leading to the great hall. She could not open them alone, and while she waited for another to help her, there was an audible THUNK! from the front door. If any tried the door, they would find they were barricaded in, and unable to escape until another exit was discovered. "There is no way but forward, I suppose," Rosalind said quietly, a shiver running up her spine.

Narrator: The room was large, but uninteresting, particularly in the gloomy aftermath of the battle in March. The servants hadn't cleaned up any of the mess on the floor. Ripped fabric remained from the makeshift infirmary, much of it soaked in blood. There were also abandoned gowns, the complicated structure of the garments possibly too confining in the disaster of the ceilidh. There was an overturned cup of wine on the floor, the contents sticky-sweet on the cobbles. It was very strange, perhaps, that there were not more overturned cups of drinks, as everyone had been indulging that night, and more than a few had been caught off guard by the explosions at the outer walls. There were no paintings on the walls, but there were several tapestries and banners. The long tables that had once held food were now covered in mounds of moldy hills. The smell was hideous. The tall windows overlooked the yard below, and beyond that, the ruins of the walls.

Bess: "C'mon Dora, Jack, aye tis best we stay taegethere here.." Bess was highly superstitious, let us not lie. Logic had superceded the ancient loon but when one saw vanishing entity on the stairs and held a locket holding one's relations hair, you take heed! Had the Mo'r Oukselo's face blanched a touch as much as her adrenaline made her move forward in a slight rush? "Forward indeed Rosalind, forward indeed. " One hand clasped the torch, the other rune inscribed amulets to ward away the ghouls. The room they came upon revealed to her what she hadn't seen, locked for so long in her own chambers. Blood, lost garments? She went to view the overturned cup of wine who's libation had been given to the stones. Covering her mouth with a scarf from her hip, it warded away the scent.

Siobhan: Siobhan was young, which meant more ignorant in a way to what fear should do to a person. She felt the shivers, felt the chills that came with it, but she did not become a coward. Not clan MacLeod's heir! Moving her hand back to herself as they moved forward, only to hear the sound of a heavy latch. Turning cadet blue eyes towards the door, she frowned, but perhaps it was all part of the mystery. She asked herself what her uncle would do and held her chin higher, as her maiden clung to her arm. Looking towards Lady Rosalind and the Duchess with their own company, she moved forward as well, closer to Brennah, Lucius and Kye, though she did not know Kye well. The matter in which the room was present was a bit shocking and gruesome. The smell of it made her hand rise to cover her face, while her maiden gagged openly. Pulling up the front of her cloak to use it as a make shift mask, she moved towards the ripped bloody garments and without fear, reached for them to lift them up and peek underneath them. The liquid covered her hand, making it sticky all over as she shifted the sheets and piled them up to look under them. Her maiden gagged again and asked her how she could touch them.

Jack: After a few moments hesitation, the Irishman would linger for a bit. Before heading to join Rosalind. After a while, the Irishman would move to walk beside her, "M'lady... A question for ye." As the walked, he would turn to the landing and gesture with the torch, "Dae ye know who t'was tha' greeted us sae at the entrance way?" There was a pause, allowing her to answer. And then he would head toward the bloody garments and gowns. As he picked up one up quietly, he found himself: who had worn this gown? T'was it some wench? A shuddering maid? There was a slow curl of his lips, as he murmured, "She t'was a plucky jade....."

Brennah: Brennah too was young and normally when red flags waved, one should turn and heed its warning. With Brennah Teagan however, that was never the case and instead of stirring away from what lurked and most likely held trouble or bad consequences, she usually went forward head strong. Leave it to the niece of Talion Apollous to be like this. As she moved with the others in the close formed group from one room to the next, it wasn't so much the sight of the room as it was the stench that had her quickly re-gloving her hand and then pulling out a handkerchief to cover her mouth and nose. Blue eyes peered about and while others veered off toward items on the floor, Brennah found herself moving toward the tapestries along the walls.

Dora: Dora went into servant mode automatically, holding a torch for Bess and the one walking with them. "Must of been belonging to some o the gentry; folk like me do not have jewelry." In spite of the smell, now she was scoping the abandoned fine gowns, in case one of their full skirts might make a new dress or bed curtain."I wonder did the fine ladies flee in their bloomers and shift?" she mused. Dora made traditional gestures of warding against evil, just in case.

Lucius: The sound of a closing door made Lucius glance over his shoulder as he walked and his brow arch once more. What in the...? That was never a good thing, but perhaps it was to heighten the sense of mystery and play on emotions. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end, but Lucius did well to suppress and conceal it. Upon entering the room the smell was the first thing to assault his senses, making his nose wrinkle and his stomach twist. Moldy food and old blood did not make for a pleasant sight and smell. For a moment, he stared at the garments, bloodied, but a chill sparked by a personal memory detoured him toward the TALL WINDOWS that overlooked the yards and remnants of the walls. Staring outsides, brown eyes took a much needed relief from the sight of bloodied garment.

Kye: Though only nineteen Kye had endured plenty thanks to the English, but this was...different. Her's was a private pain, formless save for the very physical scaring of her body (though hidden). This room was like a representation of those ghostly memories. The scents and sights had her moving around the edge of the room, carefully skirting the bloody garments and rotting tables of food. Her steps were slow, purposeful. For though she had no desire to touch the memories of death she was not quite afraid of them. She was looking at it all, seeing it as it may have been and as it actually was. She wanted to see the view as much as get the fresh air. Upon stepping up beside Lucius she lets attention be slowly pulled from the room, to stair outside at the ruins below. "Do you know who lived here?" the strangely accented question seemed to be given to the man beside her, but really it was one for the air all around.

Rosalind: "I do not know that man, no," she responded to the Admiral with a shake of her head. "He looks rather common. Perhaps he is a servant here?" She honestly did not know who the man was, but he was creepy, non? It was reason enough to avoid him if it could be helped. "Please do not touch it, madam," she said quickly, seeing what Bess was reaching for, and gently pulled Bess back from the cup. Her eyes broke the mold of the practical courtier with concern. "I do not know the potency of the drug within, but that was my goblet." She recognized the decoration around the rim as the one she had sipped from all evening, filled with the drink Rosalind had most preferred -- mulled wine, spiked with poison powerful enough that she had awakened hours later deep within the castle. She crossed herself at the memory.

Siobhan: Frozen as the sounds seemed to come from out of no where, Siobhan placed the gowns down and removed a cloth from her pocket with her clean hand. Raising her blood covered one to her face, she inhaled it, to see if it did smell like battery and abuse, the walls and lands had suffered a great deal, making Lucius inwardly frown and wonder what untold stories the castle had. Sighing, Lucius' eyes roamed the grounds, though for a time he stared at the walls. Blood. Afterwards, she spat in her hand and began to wipe it with the cloth to get it clean. Eyes moved towards Dora as she spoke out loud. Once she finished cleaning her hands, she stepped away, hearing Rosalind say that was her cup and to step away. ``Did you hear that, Geta?`` She asked. The woman looked around for a moment, before whispering about the moans. ``Aye..`` Both were in agreement and were not crazy it seemed. Moving towards the table where the food that had long since rotted could be found, eyes looked over it, trying to see if anything stood out.

Dora: Dora looked closer and then realized the gowns were all covered with blood and in spite of her wards, she could half hear moans and groans of suffering; men burned and suffering. In all, one man's basic sound struck her to the core, for it was of a desire for life, quenched to a level that the poor thing could not accomplish. It brought tears to her brave eyes, and struck her as more than sad. A whining from somewhere slid through the silence and cold chills went down her spine. "Land a Mercy!"

Lucius: Perhaps he had been staring too long out the window, partly in his own thoughts, when his eyes began to play tricks upon him and the walls began to mutate as if he had stepped into the past. Unblinking, Lucius stared out the window as images played through his mind. Suddenly, his eyes widened a bit and he leaned closer to the pane. Eyes narrowed, but did not blink still, that is, until Kye's voice jarred him from his 'thoughts and images' and his eyes snapped to her. He blinked, but when his eyes turned toward the window, it was gone. Vanished...as if nothing had changed. But...he saw..Lucius frowned. ``I suppose someone of great importance and wealth..people who were of the envied..or..no..I know nothing of these lands..I am still learning myself about the history of this place.`` Lucius admitted softly, though still staring out the window, trying to recreate what he saw. Nothing. Damn.

Bess: She turned to see what was upon the table but was repulsed and turned her face away from the spoiled offerings. Were it not for a solid sense of resolve the great Mo'r Oukselo would have lost the contents of her stomach. With that done, and a cup that by no means she was touching..the moans rose. "Somethin' wicked lives 'ere, ye are right Jack, the bean sidhe are by no means done kennin'..." Next would be a look over to the tapestry, the walls. What was this family about? "Tis alright Dora, tis alright, we're taegether..." Damn right they were together! ....She went over to touch at the tapestry, and behind it. Would something spill onto the table perhaps, or a door open? "Dora... m'husbands kin have a love for puzzles n'...doors...." She tied the scarf over her face...and maneuvered over..toward a battered Clan MacKinnon. "Oh by the Gods ye 'ave tae be.." Well this explained why the old MacKinnon servitor was so hell bent on ousting them once, didn't it? What sort of ranco lived with the old ruling family...she studied this one closely, seeing Brenna was there as well. She smiled to the niece of Apollo. "Ave ye seen this,?" she said..it'd be a lie to say that she didn't blanch on occasion, but now she was too far involved, wanting to know the whole answer now. She tugged on the banner, would it detach and come down? Was there anything behind the banners wall?

Brennah: Brennah continued to pay close attention to the tapestries, moving from one to the next. Examining them closely and finding a few interesting things that didn't make sense. The room itself was trashed, but all these banners were not touched... well.. all save one. It was this one she lingered near longer, blue eyes moving over the design. While one hand reached out to touch the fabric, the other continued to hold her kerchief to her nose.

Kye: What pain these walls held, quiet echoes heard only by those who knew what to listen for. One did not hear with their ears, by their heart and soul. It was like the broken and torched walls below...You could see the results of past happenings, yet never understand what they meant. Even if Kye hadn't known how to see these things they were so strong in this place they came on their own bidding. Like the sight of unruined walls rising from these ashes. A late night...A soft groan slips out watching what wasn't really there, not wanting to see these painfully sweet moment. But neither could she look away. With Lucius answering her question, an odd note to his voice, she looks up towards him, realizing he saw it too. But he didn't know who they were. Kye did. She'd seen the man before.. And the woman could only be her. Grippng the note the note in her hand tightly. She couldn't say anything, not out of any hesitance in sharing, but simply because emotions were caught in her throat. Eventually, with a glance over to the approaching Siobhan, she whispers to the night, "I think we will.."

Jack: As the Irishman walked across the gore-covered floor. Grimly, he watched his feet as he walked across the floor. This, in truth, was why the ships of the Griffin Fleet strew sand on the decks of their warships during the battle. To keep the decks from becoming slicked with blood and entrails. But as he crouched down, to pick up a satin gown. As he did, he heard it. He heard the moaning from beyond. What would the Duchess do, when the Irishman paused? Then he removed his tricorn, and shifted to lay on his side. Once there? He would press his ear to the gore-covered floor. Was this where sound come from?

Dora: Her eyes bugged out and she rolled them, round and round, as if she really expected to see who let out the sounds of grief and despair. "There be haunts, there be! Did ye hear that? " she asked the other ladies, the torch shook and flickered in her once fearless steady serving woman hand. "You best stay nearby, Lady Bess. I will protect you." she said but her voice quivered even as she spoke.

Siobhan: Siobhan moved again, this time towards Lucius and Kye to see what they had saw. Was there something there? By the looks of their faces, there could be. Hands reached for the windows, to take a look at what they saw. Nothing it seemed. Looking towards Lucius and Kye, she asked what they had seen.

Brennah: As other came to where she stood and inspected the same item, she looked to them and smiled behind the cloth held to her face. ``I am looking this over very carefully M'Lady...`` she replied with a soft nod and looked to the Duchess company. `` Good day to you as well Sir, Lady.`` She looked from them back to the tapestry and to those with her once more. `` This is most interesting... is it not?``

Rosalind: Rosalind crouched down beside Jack, an odd thing for her to be able to do, with her lame leg. "What are you listening to, Lord Admiral?" she asked him, a brow arched in curiosity.

Lucius: Lucius glanced to Siobhan for a moment, but turned his eyes out to the window again. Was what he saw a personal parallel? Perhaps he was thinking too deeply on the matter. Swallowing hard, he turned to Siobhan and glanced between them before recounting what he had seen, or what he thought he saw.

Jack: The Irishman started, near cursing in Gaelic Irish. It had something to do with bean sidhe and soul stealing! Once he'd regained his composure, he offered the woman a smile, "I 'eard a sound, m'lady, near tha' ground when I wanted ta see ta the clothin' an' bandages.... I dae nae think tha' I 'eard it when I stood. Sae does it not reason' tha it could be comin' from below?"

Kye: "You know... I think I know who they are..." she offers quietly, as Lucius explains the sighting.

Dora: "I hear moaning voice, some poor man is suffering, out beyond. " she was hesitant to say ourside of life, but that was her thought on the matter.

Lucius: Lucius arched a brow and asked Kye who.

Kye: With a gnawing on her lip she explains the letter and what she knows to both of them.

Bess: "Ah know Dora, but we keep up our spirits n' stay taegether aye,? " And firmly in their bodies, no? She muttered in Scotts-Gaul a ward against the haunts within, and even touch the symbol of a patron Goddess in her hair pin.

Rosalind: "Ooh, maybe I do not wish to know, ah?" She touched the cross hanging from her neck and rose to her feet, admittedly wincing as she did so. Kneeling was not so kind on her leg. Straightening it was even worse. "Let us see other parts of the castle. This room, it gives me a chill to my bones."

[Lady Rosalind Avalle]

Part III
The Corridor

Rosalind: She wanted to find this treasure, and despite the lack of directions, headed out back into the foyer to keep up the search. She made her way up the stairs, where the air took a decided turn for the frigid. In the shadows along the hallway, she swore she saw something man-shaped move. It seemed only logical then to go in the opposite direction.

The hallway they moved down had so many doors leading into so many different rooms, it seemed appropriate they should spread out. Maybe there were clues in the rooms. Maybe there was more of this ghostly mystery they were currently embroiled in! For the courageous, certainly there was some reward or justification. For the cowardly, there was always the cloakroom downstairs.

"I say we split up," Rosalind suggested. "We each take a room!"

Bess: "Ah say yer particular adventurous for a staunch Norman Catholic, Rosalind.." Beathag murmured a wonder as to why the heathens were deemed damned? Oh yes, she would make sure to mention in her letter to Adam that this was a Christ child led adventure as she elected toward room number (3) for it was not first, it was not second, and where in the hell did that ghostly figure get too? "Damned crazy Catholics..." She muttered. Crazy. Crazy everything that for once made her look totally lucid.

Siobhan: Siobhan's eyes widen first to Lucius and then towards Kye as she spoke about the two lovers. Her throat swallowed hard, for there was a familiarity in the words being spoken. ``Thank you for the information.`` She shared her own as well, before looking towards Rosalind as she suggested to...split up?! Siobhan's maiden groaned, but she patted her hand. ``I will keep you safe.`` She promised, before looking to Kye and then Lucius with a soft smile. Moving towards the doors, she glanced over them and finally picked door number (7).

Jack: Ah! It looked as though the Irishman were confronted with a series of doors. At hearing the words of "Let's split up, gang!" The Irishman arched an eyebrow at Rosalind, before he shook his head. At least he was not wholly unarmed. He carried a rather sharp dagger on his belt, and of course, his flaming torch. He paused, before examining it. How long would it continue to burn? It would be the compass, with it's four points that saw Jack choose his particular door. As he walked into the fourth room along the hall, there would be a quick glance for an oil lamp. And, if one was found - or not - a more thorough examination of the room.

Rosalind: Crazy Catholics indeed, but she was not darting off into rooms unknown, was she? No, Rosalind was standing right where she was in the hallway, letting the others be adventurous, with one hand in her pocket, thumbing the beads of her rosary.

Brennah: As she moved into the hall with the rest of the group, she continued to let her eyes take in all the sights around her. Since the stench of the last room was fading, she removed the cloth from her face and tucked it back in its place. As a few lingered within the hall and others moved into rooms, Brennah's lips twisted in thought and she decided to move into room NUMBER 6. The mixed blood wondered what might she find behind this particular door.

Dora: "Alone? Er....I suppose, so as long as I do not have do clean the floors or windows." She selected door # 1, torch in one hand, taking her other shaking hand to the door latch and giving it half hearted tug.

Lucius: As things started to piece themselves together in a curious fashion, Lucius felt a chill run down his spine. Ironic and eerie at the same time. His eyes darted to Rosalind as she suggested splitting up. What?! Brown eyes turned to Siobhan. Standing there, he watched her move off toward a door and disappear behind him. The knight glanced to Kye and sighed softly. Placing a hand upon her shoulder, he wrapped the brown cloak about himself more and moved toward the eighth door [ 8 ].

Lucius: Lucius did not like dark rooms, having been a captive in darkness before, it sent a chill down his spine. He turned to head back out, but the door slammed shut in his face. Lucius stiffened and turned on his heels, pressing his back to the door. Voices. His eyes widened and his heart stilled in his chest. Forced to listen to the short conversation, Lucius looked around, trying to see a face, a figure, something! The room was too dark.

Bess: A room of looms and dangle strings to hardly rouse suspicion, but should never take anything for granted. On her own here, she took the mask off her face for the scent was only of dust. Though goodness, storms rose with each boot's pace! She would have gone on if not for the clue she'd found, a note? My Darling -- I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles, and by the hinds of the field, that ye awaken not, nor stir up love, until it please. Her reading of English was firm enough to grasp, her knowledge of the bible would actually astound given she read it near daily with the likes of the progressive Father Donovan, whom had more vigor in him than most, wanting to learn what was special to heathens. she swallowed hard - this, a locket..a love affair...and a torn banner. Was the woman in love with a MacKinnon? It was so dark here, so she leaned down to feel along the floor, shuffling dust aside... all he way over to one of the looms. Strings could tell stories too! And Gods be kind, mayhaps a candle to light with a bit of tinder? If ya thought the Mo'r Oukselo went unaware unprepared, well! Old habits on adventures died very hard. Since Dora had the torch, light was in order, perhaps tapestry to pull away to find a moonlit window?

Kye: Pausing in the doorway she turns her gaze slowly around the room, taking in every detail as she had with every other room. Simple and bare, it was obviously a servant's quarters. As she finally moves forward she takes up a stack of papers from the desk and sits upon the edge of the bed. Opening the bundle she leafs through them, inspecting the images carefully. That face... her face. She was a beautiful woman, even on faded pages. These people, this couple, it seemed were calling her. She wanted to learn a story and every step she took was giving it to her. The note, the locket, the vision, and now this. It was his room, she knew it. Or so she believed, for it felt as though is presence was all around her. Turning eyes from the drawings she stared then at the small crucifix above the bed. "Did you lay here, praying to God that she be yours again? Did you stare at this cross and ask why you were being punished so?" The questions were given to the air, to the cross, to herself. She knew that feeling. "She was yours I bet.. even if you did not know it.." the husky tones fall away with a whispered sigh.

Jack: The Irishman had taken three steps out into the room, had even been reaching for the gunny sack from it's door. When he realized he was not alone. As the Irishman slowly turn, raising his burning torch above his head, he saw her. There was rather loud Gaelic exclamation, of shock no doubt, at realizing that he wasn't alone. Had Bess her brother call form another room? The woman -- and the greens she had, sure signs of witchery -- had looked accusingly at him, "Dun ye knock?" She asked, as she looked up from her task: polishing an overturned chest of drawers. As the woman suddenly remembered her station -- a servant, apparently -- she dropped into a curtsey. "Ah.... please fergive m'lady, I did nae mean tae -- WAIT!" The woman tried to rush out. Jack was torn: did he stop the woman? Or grab the gunney sack? He grabbed the gunney sack! The woman darted past, "Wait, m'lady! Wait!" And he'd turn to follow her.

Brennah: As Brennah stepped in she she soon found she wasn't alone. She gasped in surprise at the woman's voice while Brennah tried to figure out where the hell the woman came from. The servant woman showed Brennah just how displeased she was with the Lady Brennah's presence and all Brennah could do was stand and stare. A few words of what the woman spoke registered and she absently nodded. When the woman began to shoo her out, Brennah turned on her heels and returned to the hall. But not before gaining a name!

Dora: With the torch she still held, its light fluttering in the air come from the new opened room, Dora tred lightly and looked about, wide eyed and ready to run. There is a low, unmade bed and beside it a chest of gold. "huh!" Doa also saw several candle stubs on the night stand so she lit one from her torch and lowered it into the chest's dark shadows to find...it was empty. No, there was one thin coin left, with a king image on it. . Dora has found one gold coin! Lowering the light to the coin, it is possible to make out the French inscription. "Philip le Bel, Le Roi de France." Unfortunately, Dora Lynch cannot read but she does know gold when she sees it! "Holy Jaysus! Lookit this!" To one of her level, a single gold coin is a life's good fortune, she turns to the door to tell her companions. "Look at this M'am! "she held the coin in torchlight for Bess to see.

Bess: With Dora calling her she nearly bumped her head, but glad to be rid of her solitary confinement, she went out to see what the matter was going on..and imagine her suprise as next door her brother was calling as Dora did at the same time! Gaelic went in both directions to say 'I'm coming! "Gold, Dora ye woman look ye found a bit o' it already..there's treasure..there..wot in the name o' the Sea god n' horses......We better gae see what Jack is screamin' bout! Thank Gods ye've a light woman I've got this 'ere poem.....there was somethin afoot 'ere...we were dancin all night on top o' damned....clues! Wot in the.." Jack was a slow one, but..what the..peer around the corner Bess.

Lucius: Feeling for the handle, Lucius opened the door and walking backwards quickly, he stepped out of the room and closed the door as well. His face had paled somewhat, but he was recovering quickly. Wrapping his cloak about his body more, Lucius shivered and glanced around the hall for Siobhan and Kye. They were lovers...but who was that mystery woman the lady of the home spoke of? Already, he knew that destruction had been sparked possibly by scorn...if this was the woman's home..then what if he did not take rejection well?

Bess: "OO!" She was nearly taken down by the quick footed servant, and pulled Dora out of the way lest her poor friend get run over! "Leave it tae jack tae find a woman!"

Brennah: As Brennah smoothed down her hair and skirts, she began to look about toward the others that were now emerging from their rooms as well. Wondering what sort of things had they found, then over-hearing a few things that answered her question.

Bess: "Rosalind...when we get 'ome....please..see tha' the castle be thoroughly..erm..cleaned." Energy left to sit in dust was energy left to breed the likes of this!

Kye: Finally she stands, wiping at a wet spot on her cheek. Bloody hell, she hadn't even realized tears were falling. Quickly pulling herself together she finally goes to the door and peeks out, looking up and down for Lucius and Siobhan. There was the man... Stepping over to him she quietly hands him the papers she found while asking quietly.."What'd you find?" She needed to know more damn it!

Rosalind: "I will, madam," Rosalind agreed with a nod of her head. Dust. Was disgusting. She happily would have none of it.

Jack: Jack near followed the servant in taking down his sister, but managed to come to a stop. "T'was any able ta be stoppin' 'er?" He had the gunny sack in his hand, dangling by his side. There was a sigh as he shook his head. Apparently not. The Irishman turned his attention to the gunny sack, before opening the gunny sack and upending it -- to pour all of it's contents onto the floor. As he rummaged through the contents of the gunny sack, he smiled up at his sister, "Found a witch, it seems."

Dora: "Yipes! " when she saw the running woman, poor Dora got so frightened, she clutched the gold coin in one hand and screamed. "Lordy Almighty! I be on the rim o the brink! I , er have to run to the cloak room and see if my hat is still there." fear got her and guilt a bit as well. Dora bolted, back to hide and cringe in the cloak room.

Brennah: Brennah then decided to move closer to Lucius and his friend, wondering if perhaps they could put their heads together or if not, at least now there was safety in numbers... right?

Siobhan: Siobhan and the servant has switched places it seemed. The maiden had went to room two and upon opening the door, she was fumbled with the sight of two lovers in bed together. Eyes went wide and to everyone, she might have seemed to be talking to herself. ``Oh! I beg your pardon! I am sorrah!!`` She felt absolutely embarrassed, more so when the male stood up, naked as the day he was born and in the lasting passions of a man..before he yelled at her and got his sword,. She screamed and slammed the door shut before running towards the room Siobhan had went into.

Lucius: Seeing Kye, Lucius met her halfway and when she presented the papers to him to read, Lucius sighed and shook his head. ``I heard him..and the woman..he wanted to marry her..but she asked about another woman...Sorcha...I wonder..``

[Lady Rosalind Avalle]

Part IV
The Lady's Bower

Narrator: After they met up in the hall once more, Rosalind led them further down toward the lady's bower, the suite of rooms the Lady MacRuari kept separate from her husband's for those days she required privacy. The Lady MacRuari's tastes were quite simple. Though the keep had once been a wealthy place, it was no longer. Since the attack, many valuables had been removed, hidden, or put into storage, and each room showed signs of disarray, neglect, and damage. Even the lady of the keep's bower was not immune. As they entered, it was easy to see many paintings had been removed, and there were dust rings on the mantle where trinkets had once rested, memories of days before the English invasion and the disastrous ceilidh. A small sewing kit rested on one table, but it was more ornamental than practical, with its top encrusted in semi-precious stones that were pretty, but nearly worthless, save the artful arrangement of colors that seemed to form a mosaic. The lady's wardrobe was nearly empty with the exception of a few moth-eaten garments, and upon investigation, the curious would be nearly overwhelmed with a flurry of tiny wings as the insects burst forth into the light and then out the open window, the ghost-scent of camphor a mockery to the damage done to the dresses and bliauts remaining behind. Lining a few walls were low shelves filled with books, all of them coated in dust, and none of them any more intriguing than the next bodice-ripping romance, in which the dashing knight made off with the lady of the household, and they lived happily ever after. Carpets lined the floors, keeping the stones warm, but no curtains remained on the windows, no tapestries covered the walls, and in the lady's bedroom, empty drawers signaled the woman had been shrewd in removing her jewelry and valuables lest treasure hunters come calling. At the foot of the lady's bed was a crude map of Scotland. On the floor beside the window were several forgotten sheets of paper, some with water stains so severe, the ink had faded away entirely, and the paper baked stiff in the sun.

Lucius: Lucius mumbled before turning his head to Brennah. ``I wonder if this castle was destroyed as a means of envious scorned lover..``

Bess: The further they went the further she felt hair raising similarity in theme between one family and the next. Swallowing her terror, old Dora left to be sensible leaving her to follow on through the depraved environment. Save this one? Like her beloved East Wing, the Lady MacRauri had taken care to keep close to her what mattered, no? "Wot life did ye lead, o' lady? Did yer heart ache.." Dora's torch was now her own, and as she progressed into the room, past bookshelves and such, it was the paper that held her fascination.....the forgotten sheets beside the window. Was she able to read them, could she attempt? "This keep is sae old...wot did we try tae cover..."

Siobhan: Siobhan was curious when her maiden calmed down and explained. ``How do you get the good stuff?`` She asked Geta and calmed her down, before meeting with others and asking what they saw. When it was time to move on, her maiden clung to her arm, refusing to let go. Into the room of the lady they went, before Siobhan moved to investigate the wardrobe, waving her hand around to push the bugs away so she could look around inside of it and feel the inner walls. Siobhan hade many hiding spaces, perhaps this woman did too.

Jack: As the pitch had called the sailor in Jack, so it was that the map called to him know. Once he had walked to it, the Irishman would crouch down. The first thing that the Irishman would do would - assuming that the map had it -was check the compass and the map's orientation. Then slowly, he began checking the various towns, keeps, and other landmarks that the Irishman knew against his memory of the other maps he'd seen and his own knowledge of the lay of land. Although crude, he wondered if the map was accurate to it's orientation and the landmarks on it. There was a chuckle, "Aye, be ye the map then? Tha one tha' leads us ta the treasure?"

Brennah: Brennah nodded to Lucius, having to agree with him. She looked between him and Kye, hearing something about a Sorcha, and Brennah quickly recognized the name. As Lady Rosalind began to lead them elsewhere, Brennah followed along. As they entered into the Lady's Room, the dark haired, blue eyed young woman stayed close to Siobhan, Lucius and Kye. Birds of a feather flock together, right? And by the looks, they all appeared around the same age. Once moving further in however, Brennah found a spot and slowly turned in a full circle. She bit at her lower lip and moved toward THE SHELF OF BOOKS. Letting gloved fingers trace down the spines of each one and even inspecting a couple of them a little closer.

Lucius: Lucius took a deep breath, still holding the cloak about his body. Even though he left the room, he could still feel the chill. What happened to the maiden? Part of him did not want to know, fearing it be something horrible. Following Rosalind once more, he moved into the room of the lady herself, and the sight at the window and the words in the room prior made this one a bit more crypt. Lucius glanced to Siobhan and Brennah as they moved off two different, ways, and he glanced about, seeing others hard at work glancing about the room. For a moment, Lucius gazed down at the floor and stared at the design of the carpet. If you were going to hide something, you would pick a place less obvious, right? Hopefully there wouldn't be harm in INSPECTING THE FLOOR and peeking under the carpets if they came up from their task of keeping the stone warm.

Kye: If one wanted to a story, where did they turn? Books. Books held stories which took one's soul flying through the heavens, or dying in hell. They gave lessons and knowledge. They painted pictures through words, bringing images to the mind unlike anything in life. So keeping by Brennah's side she too went for the shelf and began rummaging through the old books.

Siobhan: Just a lot of dust it seemed. She waved the dust and bugs from her and her maiden, before moving on. She could not resist when Lucius had bent over and pinched him just to give him a scare. Cruel, yes, but this was Siobhan here. A bit a bully in a sense. Going towards the small sowing box, she lifted it up and inspected it, before opening it up.

Jack: The Irishman would retrieve his map, frowning. There was a slow cant of his head, as he studied the map that he'd found upon the floor. Jack rose quietly, "Bess.... um...." He hesitated, "Milady!" No one heard that, right?

Bess: "There's more than a damned love story afoot 'ere, outright conspiracy." Did this explain the refurbishing of the keep, of mysterious benefactors? These assuredly pointed to signs of either past transgression or a present thing, trying to be blanched. F. Lamont? There was one F Lamont she was aware of...and the Lady MacRauri? Told when they came to refurbish the former seat before the rising to power that there weren't any left, they delt with the houses Steward. Why this could sully a name? "Aye Jack?" Admiral aside, "N' I dun care wot ye call me right now...wot 'ave ye got...

Kye: "Ooch!" A string of rather interested french curses suddenly errupt from Kye's mouth as she slams into the sewing table, with her only recently healed leg. Though she didn't look exactly look French, the language was fluid from her lips, if oddly accented with her own husky tones. "Pardon me!" she exclaims for in her clumsiness she fell into Siobhan, sending the sewing kit crashing to the floor. "Oh.." With a grown she goes to her knees to try to clean up the mess.. only to discover that it was no ordinary sewing kit. "Oh... my... do.. you see that!?" Eyes opening wider than usual she grabs for the coin laying on the ground and, scooting closer to the young woman, shows it.. Oh what a find for them! Especially for Kye who owns not a penny!

Lucius: At this point, Lucius was a bit unnerved, because of the eerier things he had both seen and heard. Nothing under the carpets, thankfully, though when he felt that pinch, Lucius stiffened and quickly straightened, looking around to see Siobhan. Lucius blinked and stared at her, a small smile crossing his features as he followed her toward the sewing table and slipping a hand from the side, he gave her backside a light squeeze. ``Not funny...`` He whispered, before snatching his hand away and looking to Kye as she slammed into the table. His eyes widened a bit. ``Are you all right?``

Brennah: ``Hmm...`` she murmured to herself as she thumbed through a few pages of a third book and finding nothing that would seemingly stand out or have her spend more time in where she was at. She replaced the books as they had been and looked about once more. Brows arched however as one of the others began to curse? She looked to Kye and wondered just what in heavens name had the woman ranting off like that. Head canted and she wondered closer, but only long enough to hear what was the reason for such. Had she missed something? Brennah let her eyes move about the room once more, debating on looking at something else more closely.

Jack: "Ye're familiar wit' maps o' Skye an' Scotland, aye?" He would come to stand beside Bess, "What dae ye make of theses?" And he'd point toward the burst of lands across Scotland. There was a glance to the others, before he lowered his voice, "Ye think tha' this could Judas' dacats?" There was a frown, "I am nae as familiar wit' ye Scottish clans as I should be.... Are these clan lands?" Lower still, "An' dae they match tha invasion route of tha' damned Anglish bull?"

Bess: The Duchess was quite dampening her famous temper when Jack showed her the maps at hand, and compared with the documents of an exchange of gifts at the Celidih? "Aye, ah'm very familiar....." She wondered what everyone else found, and did look over at Lucius and Sibohan, Kye, and Brennah..but somehow that damning evidence burned her hand. "Rosalind..."

Siobhan: Siobhan closed the kit, before she saw Kye moving towards her, or more like stumbling into her, making her catch the girl, or at least try to as the machine went crashing to the floor. Eyes widen as her Maiden moved to help. Looking to Lucius, she smirked, seeing the girl was okay or not bleeding, before she leaned down as well in a crouch to help pick up the pieces. ``No need to be frightened, or in a rush. We will find it. Here, look at this coin. It was french, which Siobhan was still learning at the moment.

Rosalind: "Yes?" She tore her eyes from the decorated box that seemed to be slipping from everyone's hands and went to join Bess and Jack. Bess was holding papers in her hand, and despite the wear and damage, some things were still clear.

Bess: "C'mere m'friend." She called her over to survey a few clues, namely because of handwriting. "Rosalind..there wasn't suppose tae be a Lady 'ere....but there was, n' yer husband was familiar, n' this....." she points the pieces of paper, breathing inward, sighing. "Dae Ah e'en want tae know wot the dead keep." this could sully names. MacRauri. Lamont. And more!

Jack: Jack would quiet, before he touched Bess' arm. He made covert gesture to Bess' pages -- and the name -- and then motioned to the name on the map. The name? F. Lamont!

Lucius: Lucius knew some measure of French, better than Gaelic, at least. Lucius bent down to help pick up the pieces that had fallen. Lucius elbowed Siobhan. ``It is a bit awkward to be in a maiden's room...``

Rosalind: "M-my husband," Rosalind confirmed with a look to the papers. Her heart literally stopped beating for a moment, not that it showed at all on her face. She was too skilled for that. "That is his hand, oui." She had just stopped wearing mourning colors for him. Seeing his name in print was almost too much to bear, though not for any reason the Admiral might know. Bess, however, knew well enough what caused Rosalind's face to turn slightly ashen.

Bess: "N' French gold be 'ere....now Ah want tae know, n' won't stop until the end. Wot else was found..." She remained stalwart but knew already the implications of a scheme like this..MacKinnon banners, F. Lamont's writing and live macRauris? "Brennah, what did ye find?"

Rosalind: She looked to the map in Jack's hand. "They cross borders. See, here, and here -- they're owned by two clans, but it is one on the map. They were in the Bruce's honor guard many years ago." Rosalind shrugged. "I do not know about French gold, madam. Lamont had wealth, but she is nearly bankrupt now that F...my husband is dead."

Siobhan: Was it? Siobhan did not think so. Looking to Lucius she elbowed him back before setting the pieces upright and handing him the item instead. a gold coin, with writing on it.

Brennah: Brennah heard her name and with a finger to her lip, tapping, she looked to the High Lady of Skye. ``Nothing, just old stories and fables that have collected dust M'Lady... nothing stuck between pages. `` She replied.

[Lady Rosalind Avalle]

Part V
The Courtyard

Narrator: From the lady's bower, she led the way down to the enclosed courtyard. Perhaps there was something worth investigating down here. They wouldn't know until they tried. They were all soon standing on a wide cobble-stone path passing though a large courtyard. In the middle of the courtyard and causing the path to split to either side is a large gurgling fountain and statue combination. The water gushing out at the top looks extremely pure. The cobble-stone path however is separated from the rest of the courtyard by a yellow and black striped ribbon fluttering in the slight breeze. This is probably just as well, as the courtyard is currently filled with piles of lumber, granite and sandstone blocks, sand and numerous (small) tools thrown haphazardly around. The recent war has taken its toll even on the interior courtyard, though for a discerning eye, not all that glitters is a tool -- what is that glinting near all the lumber? In one direction the path is partially hidden by a stack of wooden panels. As you move closer you can just see a very old well with a classical roof over it, not far from the tools, and very close to one of the courtyard walls. The well looks as if it is older than any other part of the courtyard you have seen. The grass around it has grown long without proper upkeep, yet there is a strange shadow detectable in the green, darker than the surrounding grass. In the other direction, it looks more put together, more work has been done here and is looking a little like it's old self in a new perspective. This area has a few small stoned trough vegetable gardens, though at this season, it is difficult to tell what's what. There is a mixture of wild imported flowers with a few of the more native ones to these lands, some in bloom, most in the process of doing so. Most of the things used in the reconstruction of the courtyard, are all things that were once used before, just being used in a different manner this time perhaps, though there is some order to the chaos -- most of the tools and materials seem to be centralized around a very rickety old shed.

Bess: She went to see what was glinting near the lumber given there was not much to say otherwise. On a small pouch at her belt, she would put the clues she had gathered thus far, keeping them close. Her mind became a hotbed of activity with the singular minded focus of unrooting a conspiracy. Subterfuge in her own family? Ha! She was a might tired of intrigue, and let a single living person who was responsible find her hands tonight you'd discover why Beathag Aberdeen who was once a Bess Mullins always finished a bar fight!

Siobhan: Standing back up, she moved, Siobhan moved towards the next area, which opened up to show the sky and the clean air, after being in such stuffy rooms. With her maiden by her side, she looked at Lucius and then back to the front of her path. Moving to the small fork in the area, she went the other way and headed right towards the shed, where tools laid about. Where would she meet her lover away from prying eyes?

Jack: Before the two of them would split up once again, the Irishman would hand his clues -- save for the sack that had been pulled over Marco's hands (he'd left that in the corridor) -- to Bess. For safe keeping. When at last he was read to go off, he would head to the well with the classical roof near the wall. What was the darkness in the grass? Jack would begin probing the earth, to see what was in it. Had some ancient tunnel beneath the walls been boarded up in the past? Once he had explored that, he would look down the well and up into the roof.

Brennah: Brennah was disappointed of course as it seemed she turned up empty handed this time. As the group began to cluster together once more, Rosalind lead them to the next place of interest. Brennah continued to stay with the group until each person began to branch off to the things that called to them in some form or fashion. What was it that called to Brennah this time? It was the SMALL TOOLS that were tossed about. Her blue eyes moving over each item of what had been or would eventually be used. Perhaps something else might be found among them.

Lucius: To the next room they went, though this time it was outside and in an enclosed courtyard. Just outside the walls, the memory of the woods came back to his mind, and he paused for a moment, staring at the wall and the masonry. Brown eyes turned to glanced about, looking over the courtyard, before he wandered toward the wall. Outside the walls were ruins, but how would it have looked in its prime? Stepping TOWARD THE WALL, Lucius observed it, his large hand running over the stone, feeling the texture in his own silent fascination. Lucius had not been in too many castles, especially ones with such a deep past. Seemed that Skye was filled with them.

Brennah: ``Hm, what's this?`` She asked herself as she spotted something a bit more shiny than the craftsman's tools. She bent at the knees, lowered herself and allowed a gloved hand to let slender digits curl and grab her finding. She pushed up to stand straight once more, looking closely at the object held. The contrast between the tem and black leather glove was something beautiful in its own way. Had she found something of importance? It looked to be and one could only hope.

Siobhan: Moving back from the shed with nothing more then the smell of shyt. Siobhan retraced her steps and moved back towards the beginning to see the YELLOW RIBBON that was blowing carelessly with the breeze. Reaching up for it, she pulled it down.

Bess: Another French coin! Dora had found one before her sense of common overrode her sense of adventure....Clutching it in her hands, she decided to move away towards Jack, her partner in crime for the evening, but had any looked a the fountain? She was distracted by the water flow, using the light in her hand to signal towards Jack as she moved over towards the water flow, still pure oddly. Perhaps atop a source of interest? Caring nothing for sodden shoes or pants, she stepped around it, looking at the great structure, shaking it, even seeing if stones would move...(

Jack: What would Bess do, when she heard the Irishman nearly yell, "Ye come back 'ere!" It looked like he was going to set off after that strange and temperamental woman, "Imma tie a fookin' bell around yer neck sae I can be 'earin' ya comin' next time!" Damn woman! There was a pause. How'd she managed to get out here anyway? At the very least, he swore in Irish Gaelic. Then he crouched down, to go back to examining the old well. There would be another search of the well's roof. After examining it, before he pitched the torch down the well. There was a shake f his head, before going to join Bess again.

Siobhan: Hmm, Siobhan was not about stealing, but the ribbon was clean and there was no one who would claim it here. Giving it to her maiden to hold, they pressed on, moving towards the fountain by the Duchess, when she heard Jack yelling about. Who was he after? Eyes looked to Brennah and ten Lucius, seeing if they had some thing of interest.

Lucius: Lucius glanced up the wall one last time before his hand slid from the stone and he continued on through the courtyard, wishing silently he could see over it and into the treeline once more, that is, until Jack spoke and his gaze snap toward the man. He arched a brow, but continued on toward Siobhan, his brushing against her wrist.

Bess: "I'ma tie a damned bell tae this whole fookin' house....ooo iffn Ah see any livin' relation, Ah'ma break 'em o'er m'knee and show them how the Aberdeens dae things." That crazy woman again!? What in creation was it with the people here, did the remaining residents lose their gourds for but a few marbles stewn hapless inside of it? The well had nothing, so she strained over to see what others got as she came across Jack. What about the stone path? The obvious was often overlooked. She hadn't looked at her boots so much in her natural life. how utterly regal.

Brennah: Brennah glanced about and decided to move to another spot of intrest seeing as nothing else could be found near the small tools. The steps she made carried her over to the STACK OF WOODEN PANELS. Looking carefully around it and even went so far as shifting a few of them about to see what might be found benthe one or two of them. Seeing nothing more than a few spiders and other little bugs, she moved off to stand beside Siobhan.

Siobhan: Siobhan arched a brow. Was Beathag and Jack going mad? She felt Lucius' hand and looked towards him, grasping it gently before she moved from the fountain. Leave it to Beathag, that water might be filled with someone. ``ADMIRAL? WHAT DO YOU SEE?`` Looking to Beathag, she frowned. ``Maybe that water be filled with poison too? You should get out Lady Beathag.``

Rosalind: "I think only my cup was poisoned that night," Rosalind commented wryly. "Luckily."

Bess: "Nay darlin they didn't poison the water, n' if they did ye know....ye'd love tae hear the tale o' how a man tried tae kill me as he healed meh...take more than water tae outdo Beathag Gavina .....ye bet yer griffin....." Wet, she began to look on the stones, then up to Siobhan "What did ye find lass?"

Jack: As he drew closer to Siobahn and Bess, he pointed back to the well, "I did nae find anythin' o'er in tha' well, cept blood on tha' ground. An' there was tha' damned mad woman again. Tha' one wi' tha witchy eyes." He shook his head, "Said tha' some woman - 'she' - 'ad fallen there an' died. Apparently, whoe'er feel there t'was then buried." He paused, before bellowing back in the direction of the retreating mad woman. "I 'ave brought a shovel, ye mad bitty!"

Lucius: His eyes met Siobhan's for a moment, and his hand gave hers a squeeze before turning his gaze turned to the Duchess and Jack, glancing between them. What in the world? This place was full of hallucinations and strange visions.

Siobhan: Siobhan still held Lucius' and hermaiden's hand, staying in the middle of them both. ``Shyt...literally. And a yellow ribbon..nothing more.``

Brennah: As she stood silently and looked about, she continued to listen to the others while clutching her finding in her gloved hand. This was indeed all very interesting and mysterious. She couldn't wait to see what the end results of everyones search would produce in the end.

Bess: "Wait now lass, a yellow ribbon...ye know, have ye found bits o' tha' love story here....wot if it be her ribbon," " She showed Sibohan the locket again with C marked on it, and hair inside. Who knows? But did the love story have anything to do with the greater puzzle she'd found? Holy hell in a marked lock box, she was going to have to drink much of Aislin's remedy at home. Her head would ache for a fortnight. "Blood on the ground...a woman fell there n' died....wait wait.." That could be important!

Siobhan: ``Which one? The lady? The maid?`` She had yet to see one of them, but so far, everyone else was. Turning to Beathag, she had her maiden pass the ribbon, clean and without any blood or such on it. Jack had seen blood on the ground?

[Lady Rosalind Avalle]

Part VI
Tea Time With Sorcha

Rosalind: Rosalind shivered. "It is cold! Perhaps we should go back indoors and discuss what we've seen with some refreshment, yes?" She led the way back within, leaving the courtyard's mysteries behind and led the way down to the kitchens. Luckily, there was a large kettle ready with boiled water for tea, and in the larder was a large cask of ale for any who wished something harder. Rosalind set the tea to steep and took a seat on a stool at the large wooden counter. "So," she said quietly to those gathered, looking at each. "We have quite a mystery before us tonight. How about we put our heads together and try to make sense of it."

Bess: "The lady C..we shall call her...but there is much gaein on about. Keep yer eyes peeled, Siobhan. Clan family business 'ere..ne'er know wot family may be about." Now, tea sounded quite good because the beast inside the woman was a bit riled up at the hackles. Adam what a long letter you would be getting from your wife! "Tea...please...a mystery indeed..sae Ah've a locket with hair in it, with a C, a poem about Jerusalem daughters..a french coin, n' papers tha' tell me this castle had a very well hidden Lady n' more tae it...thus far, aside from lovers n' intrigues, mah husband's family is crazy, like most e'ery other highland lot in Scotland." A chair, lord, yes. a seat....and she looked over at cask of ale why not indulge? This was the sort of stuff that drove you to drink (d)

Siobhan: Refreshments? Did she really want to drink anything? No, not after Siobhan had been getting all the gross stuff. She was fine without drinking or eating for a few days. Giving a nod to Beathag, she would do just that. Once inside, her maiden placed the ribbon on the counter, Siobhan placed the sowing kit there as well, and opened it to show the coin. The maiden spoke first. ``I-I saw two people..making love. And..when they saw me..the woman screamed and the man called me.."Payne" `` Siobhan released both sets of hands and leaned against a counter.

Jack: Like Bess Aberdeen, the Irishman would head into the larder and its cherished cask of ale. As he went to get it, "When we first began gaein' this dead woman's quest, we were greeted by tha' red 'eaded specter tha' greeted us atop tha stairs," he called back to the others. "I dae nae know how far tha invaders made it intae tha keep, but tha' landin' was reeked o' pitch an' fire." There was a shrug, "I also found, in mah room, a bag o' much like ye might be fittin' o'er a condemned man's 'ead. An' there was also tha' dark 'aired mad woman in tha' room." He waited a moment, before sayin, "An' in tha Lady's room, I found a 'and drawn map o' Scotland by one Monsieur F. Lamont." There was a shrug of his shoulders, "An' out in tha courtyard just now, I discovered spilled blood by tha' old fountin. Tha' one close ta tha wall. An' saw tha' damned mad woman again! Said tha' someone - Lady C as it t'were - 'ad fallen an' died there. I suppose tha' she can be in tha cemetery.... but she could be just as easily be at tha' bottom o' tha well. Iffen someone be willin' ta 'old tha rope, I'd as easily gae down it."

Brennah: Brennah moved with the o thers, following them all into the kitchen, and though tea sounded good, she wondered if it was safe. With a nod, she finally gave in and agreed to enjoy a bit of tea. As other gathered about the counter and took to standing or to a seat, Brennah stood and leaned against the counter. `` Well, I can say that a few of my own findings were interesting. That such as the banners...I noticed majority of them were untouched, all save the MacKinnon. And then in my room, was this woman, dark hair, green eyes, something fierce... was not happy at all that I was in her room. I did get a name though, said her name was Sorcha. And just now out in the courtyard, I found a coin, looks to be French. It was among the small tools.`` shared the young woman with the others. `` It is all very interesting to say the least, but.. I'm afraid I'm just as lost as I was when we began.`` she admitted.

Lucius: chyt? Lucius arched a brow and smirked a bit. What a prize to find indeed. His gaze turned to Rosalind as she mentioned moving into another room inside, and Lucus nodded, his hand still holding Siobhan's warm hand. Moving into the room, Lucius glanced about at the beverages, but he did not feel the need to have a drink at this moment. Lucius stood behind Siobhan and Gotchua, waiting for both women to be seated before he pulled a stool up himself and sat down. Clues and findings were revealed, and Lucius was silent, listening to the adventures that some had come up. Lucius placed his hands on the counter and clasped them together casually. ``..Obviously the maiden that lived here was well off...she had so many things that were precious and of great antiquity it seemed..when I went to the window and looked into the courtyard...I saw John and the Lady C..in the woods. Though, he grabbed her shoulders and whatever he said made her pull away. When I went through the door, I heard him ask for her hand, and Lady C ask about someone by the name of Sorcha. I suppose it was someone he had been with before the Lady...from what others have said...I wonder if the death had to do with such...strange affairs and conflicts of love...I don't know..I do not know much about courtly affairs save what has been said in stories...`` Lucius said, shrugging his shoulders a bit.

Sorcha: The door to the kitchen rattled. There was a soft knock, and finally, the young woman with dark hair and brilliant green eyes entered. She was wearing the same dress as earlier -- a dark green gown of simple cut and design, without any sort of ornamentation. She didn't wear any jewelry, either, save a large bangle on her left wrist that looked to be made of gold. But then her sleeve fell again and the bangle disappeared beneath the fabric. Her eyes swept across the room to each individual in the kitchen, moving from tea cup to ale mug as if demanding answers for why so many had invaded MacRuari Keep. She then planted her hands on her hips. "I asked ye before, did I no? Why are ye here, then? Come to poke fun at the deid? Wot cin I de for ye t'leave us alone?"

Bess: Bess was going to settle in with her drink when the woman came and gave a tirade about poking fun at the dead. "They be m'family," she all but hissed, before minding the tone of her voice, "Ah'd like to know why they are dead tae begin with. Tell me, lady, Why was the Lady o' yer keep elusive n' lettin us know she lived? I suspect tha' some love run afoul may have fowled up a great many plans. Clan MacKinnon got in somewhere they shouldn't have, n' F. Lamont wrote with the lady o' the house, wot was tae be exchanged?" The brow arched up.

Sorcha: "Oh, I donnae ken nane about F. Lamont nor th' Lady of the Hise," Sorcha responded in her broad burr, brows knitting. She truly gave the question due consideration, but had no answers. "I jes' mak' th' beds, like."

Siobhan: Siobhan turned her head sharply as her Maiden jumped by her side at the rattling of the door, before it opened and the woman came in. Neither had seen her before, but she looked to Bess as she spoke. After which, Siobhan asked her a question. ``Who are you and what is your title here in this house?``

Sorcha: "I be a servant, madam," Sorcha responded with a bob of her head. "Chambermaid extraordinaire. M'name? Sure, I am Sorcha. Jus' Sorcha. Dun ha' nay fam'ly name."

Lucius: Eyes turned to the woman and he blinked, arching a brow. Questions were asked, and for a while, Lucius simply listened. That is, until Siobhan asked that question. His eyes widened. ``...You...what was your standing with a man with red hair?``

Sorcha: "Och, Eoghan mac Pilip? He werena nane special to me. He were a groundskeeper, 'til he died in th' siege."

Brennah: Based on her findings alone, Brennah would continued to have been lost. Though, as she herself along with the others shared what they all found, it was clear that some sort of love affair had occurred and perhaps there was more than one scorned in the process. At the entry of the woman, Brennah's eyes narrowed and ask questions from others were asked, answers were given. `` If you are a servant, then why such a haughty attitude to a stranger, especially one that could prove to be above you.`` She asked, though, honestly, Brennah could care less as flaunting positions. But she knew most servants had a mind not to be so disrespectful to their Lords and Ladies or guests.

Sorcha: "Hmph, madam, and who d'ye suppose would care if I'm rude or pleasant? Castle's deid, save ye treasure huntin' vultures." *

Jack: The Irishman poked his head out of where the booze was, having been back to raid the ale cask again. Then he was quiet, his wheels turning. When he came out of the larder, the Irishman studied the woman Sorcha for a while. To Bess he murmured, "Sae the dead dae nae rest easy 'ere....." Then he met the woman's eyes - her witch eyes - and asked quietly, "Who t'was it tha' died o'er by the well?" He was quiet for a longer time, before asking, "An' why did ye kill 'er?"

Sorcha: "Ah did NO SUCH THING! 'Twas m'heart's sister, Caitriona, an' she FELL, ye mean auld lout!"

Brennah: Brennah eyed the woman. `` If the castle is dead to you then, why is it you stay? and for whom?``

Lucius: Lucius frowned a bit. ``Did you care for him, Sorcha? This man Eoghan mac Pilip..?`` Lucius asked, wondering if Sorcha had been scorned.

Sorcha: She rolled those bright green eyes at all of them. They were all beneath her, even if she gave a subservient bob of her head now and then when she spoke. "I stay because I'm bein' paid te. An' no. I didna care for Eoghan mac Pilip. He were a MacKinnon, and I've ne'er liked me a MacKinnon. Frasiers are stubborn an' MacKinnons breathe fire, it's fact."

Siobhan: ``Was the Lady Caitriona married or Widowed?``

Brennah: `` Paid to stay? By whom?`` Brennah asked.

Sorcha: "She was neither." Sorcha smiled mirthlessly. "Weel, I canna say 'tis been a pleasure, but my work is calling me elsewhere. There are some nice graves out yonder tha' ye can plunder, I'm certain." She twirled on one foot and marched back through the kitchen door. But as she did so, an odd metallic rattling sound could be heard over the sound of the slammed door. It seems Miss Sorcha had a hole in one of her pockets, and a little gold coin with the image of a French king now spun lazily to a stop.

If any chose to follow, their steps would be in vain. Sorcha moved as swiftly as a ghost. She had been working at MacRuari Keep long enough to know each of the servants' passages and all the secret hiding places, like any good servant, and had almost immediately vanished. What she was not counting on, of course, was the appearance of a mousy young girl of no more than twelve years, left a bit breathless by the sudden passing of the passionate Scots woman. She opened and closed her mouth, searching for words, until she spotted a kind face and finally found her voice.

"She went tha' way. Doon th' stairs. There's nane doon there, ye ken, bu' spiders and their cobwebs." The girl hurried into the kitchens and then disappeared in the larder. Rosalind, a very interesting shade of white even for the typically pale Norman, nodded her agreement with the others. The only way ahead was forward, and so it was, they would find their way down the twisting stairs to MacRuari's deep, hidden interior corridors.

Bess: "Caitrona..." she held up a locket in her hand for the servant to see, dangling it to catch what light was there, "Was a vera busy lass..N' seems she had someone's heart in the palm o' her hand. Was tha' a MacKinnon in love with yer heart sister or was she skirtin' tae get her way up..hey!" Paid to stay? Who in creation would pay her to stay unless they were paying her to be specifically attached to something, like those damned French coins? Sorcha knew more than she let on..Stepping up, the poor girl she knelt down to figure out where to go next. "Thank ye sweetin, why dun ye..hey wait!" Servants were ambivalent..then she..holy shyte. "Paid m'arse....Ah'm gaein tae take this place by deed n' have it transferred back tae the sane members o' the family....either be part o' Davina's dowry or burned tae the damned ground.." Paid to stay. HA at this rate that woman's payers would be made to swing. But onward! Down twisting stairs would anything be on? "Tha's wot Ah'll dae, soon as I get 'ome.....fookin' finaglin' intrigues n' shyte......n'..dead.." She grasped those medallions inside of her shirt tighter now! You can't get at the dead with dirks in your boots and sharp points in your hair. "Rosalind...ye alright?" The staunch Norman was white as a sheet, that was a first! She cleared her own throat.

Brennah: Brennah brows arched with how rude the woman was as a servant. Of course Brennah didn't believe her story, knew that no servant would have a mind to act and speak as she had and not have learned her place before now. She looked to the others as the woman took her leave and a glance was made to see the little girl. Brennah didn't move to follow the woman, but she did move to pick up that coin. It was another clue, was it not?

Lucius: It just didn't make sense. Lucius rubbed the back of his neck and stared at the woman, slightly confused. Sorcha. But the woman turned and left, disappearing into the kitchen again. Lucius sighed and shook his head.

Jack: "I shall be comin' wit' ye, Bess," Was all Jack needed to say in regards to heading for the deep, hidden interior of the MacRuari's keep. He took another torch from the wall and passed it to Bess. "Dae ya wish me ta lead us on?"

Rosalind: "No," Rosalind answered honestly, very, very gray in the face. "But let us finish this." She swallowed her tea and slammed the cup down as if it had held more than flavored water and a bit of caffeine.

[Lady Rosalind Avalle]

Part VII
The Old Keep

Narrator: The corridors here were tighter, older. The walls seemed to be closing in, but Rosalind was doing her best to ignore it. The ceilings were low, but the corridors long, and each movement echoed down the hallways and into the darkness beyond the light of their torches. The stones became darker, covered in damp, some with mold. Creatures skittered away in the darkness as torches lit the musty, old air. Not much save the mice moved down here, though there were a few strange things of note. On the floor was an interesting pattern in the dust, barely illuminated by the torches held at eye-level. If members of the party were bold, the corridors ahead held more interesting marks in the dust, and an old torch that had long since guttered out lay on the floor. A few feet away from the torch was a spot on the floor that looked far darker than the natural stone. Here and there were old suits of armor, so rusted it was clearly why they had been placed down here, where visitors were unlikely to tread. Further down the hall is another set of odd dust-free tracks on the floor. Beside those tracks is a piece of paper that looks as if it's been stepped on a few times. Even further down the hall is a faint glow of light. Could that be Sorcha?

Bess: "Aye, let's. " That impertinent servant was at the end of the hall - that was striking, closing in - She swallowed hard. No tall Norse descendant enjoyed ducking their heads nor feeling an odd sense of claustrophobia! if gravity were going to force her down, then she'd studdy the floor markings that were covered, for the dust here hid infamy, though didn't do well and ran into one of the suits of armor along the way. "Ah'm tae fookin' tall tae be movin' 'bout like a god damned fookin mouse, " She said that in Gaelic, so if you were fortunate enough to fathom it pardon your ears, it was bound to get worse. Pieces of her actually shook.

Siobhan: Standing up straight, Siobhan had more questions, but at least a few more answers. Why would a lady and man hide their relationship if she was not married? Titles perhaps..Siobhan knew about that far too well. Moving by Lucius' side her maiden fell into tow as they headed down the narrow. Once more, she used that cloak to become a make shift mask over her sharp features as they looked to the floor markings, but kept going. Beathag stopped to investigate the armor, but all the clues Siobhan had found, had been more plain in sight. It was not until she kept walking, that she saw the glow and unknowingly, the piece of paper, stuck to her boot.

Jack: As the Irishman lead them on, he was careful to watch his head on the lowering ceiling. When Bess was examining the floor and the armor, Jack would act as her batman and hold his torch lower to the ground so that she'd be able to see the patterns in the dust. For the Irishman? He'd be the one to see the faint glow of a light further on down. Was it stationary? Did it move? He'd pass the torch to another party member, before sneaking up on the light as quietly as he could. He would peer at it, to see what the light revealed.

Brennah: Brennah straightened, and moved in behind the others. Her eyes peered up ahead, head tilting this way and that way for better view of what lay ahead past a couple others. As ground was gained, Brennah glanced down and paused. It was AN OLD TORCH that had the young woman bending at the knees to have a closer look. She wondered it this had something to do with the dark colored stone. Maybe this torch was used to defend someone, or maybe it was used for more ill purposes. Either way, Brennah picked it up and moved to stand straight, looking it over more closely.

Lucius: Lucius shook his head. Young and confused, but curious all the same, he rose from the seat on the stool, adjusting the brown cloak about his shoulder. Was this some web woven of scorned love or a forbidden romance between a Lady and servant? Lucius could understand the reason to hide such a thing..but why would it result in the death of the lady herself? Walking alongside Siobhan down the stairs, he noticed veryone moving this way and that, though his ears heard the sound of something scraping along the ground. Looking down, he saw something stuck to Siobhan's foot, the piece of paper. Taking her hand, Lucius stopped Siobhan. ``You have something on your foot..allow me to get it for you...`` He said, trying not to grin at Siobhan.

Rosalind: "What are these?" Rosalind asked, lowering her torch to inspect the second set of tracks. They were much longer than the first, and stretched around a corner and disappeared under a door. But she wasn't investigating -- no, she was staying with Bess and Jack.

Siobhan: Stopping she looked down, as did her maiden, wondering what the man was talking about. Pushing her leg out a bit more, she lifted it, waiting for Lucius to get the piece of paper from her foot. She accidentally stepped on his fingers, before lifting her foot again. When he rose, she took the bit of paper and looked over it. ``It's...a letter..`` Pausing, she turned around, hearing shouts and such. What was going on? `Lucius...the Admiral!``

Brennah: Upon closer examination, Brennah's blue eyes did widen. ``Oh my..`` She said, seeing the dark smudges. Brennah was glad she was wearing gloves, because if it was what she thought it was...The woman drew the smudged section closer to her nose, and took a couple sniffs. Well, it certainly smelled like it...and the size of the smudges... must have been a large man, or a very big hand woman she thought to herself. `` Lucius, Siobhan... look here.`` She said as held the old torch and then realized something else was going on. Brows arched and she watched is surprise.

Jack: Had the scream carried through the ancient and cavernous tunnels? Aye! Would've turned a lesser man's hair white! But for such a storied warrior as Jack? The sound of him pounding on the door would be heard, as would his booming voice would carry, "OPEN THIS DOOR! OPEN THIS DOOR IN THE NAME OF THE GRIFFIN!" He swore, "BESS! SOMEONE! GIVE AIDE! " He pounded on the door again, "OPEN THIS DOOR IN THE NAME OF THE GRIFFIN!" He'd need another shoulder on the door before he would be able to open it!

Lucius: Luius waited for Siobhan to give him permission before he crouched down and his hand touched her ankle as she lifted her foot and pulled the paper from the bottom of her foot, though his hand could not help itself in sliding up a bit more to touch her shin before she put her foot down and on his fingers. Ow. Lucius hid the wince, and when her foot lifted again he stood up, holding the paper out to her. She took it, and Lucius moved closer to her, that is, until he heard a faint scream and then the Admiral and Lady Beathag both shouting. What in the world? Lucius frowned as his eyes turned to Siobhan for a moment. Too many damn screams! Lucius grabbed Siobhan's wrist and moving toward the Admiral and Bess, he stayed in front until he approached the Admiral. Lucius blinked, and watched the two bang on the door.

Bess: "Jack there's a chest or somewhat been moved. Jack?!" When the Lord Admiral or any seasoned man began to bellow out for anything in the name of the Griffin it was a scene she simply had to pay attention too! The tracks, oddly seemed to be not far off in that direction..."Jack wot is it, wot's happened?...Wot was tha' sound...YE OPEN THIS DOOR IN THE NAME O' THE GRIFFIN OR THE LADY GRIFFIN WILL OPEN IT FER YE!" Not what one would call regal, but there was too much to deny here..and people dying, and ghosts.....either they were crazed or was someone dying in there? She began to brace on the narrow walls and use her lower boot heel to try and wedge the thing open with a profoundly hard kick. Death on their watch could mean Death to any of them. While her blood curdled, she simply kept kicking a that structure "We need help gettin this door open! "

Jack: He swore, "Saw tha' damned mad woman Sorcha." He said, as he saw Bess come to give him aide. "She said tha's he did nae wan't ta talk tae us nae more, an' went through 'ere! Soon as this damned door was closed, I 'eard a scream." Jack took out some of his aggression on the door, banging on it again, "OPEN THIS DOOR IN THE NAME OF THE GRIFFIN!" Then while Bess kicked at the door, the Irishman began ramming it with his shoulder.

Bess: "'Ello in there, ello?! Shyte.." She transferred from her foot back to her own body weight..then wondered if she could undo the lock with her hair pin!

[Lady Rosalind Avalle]

Part VIII
The Corpse Room

Rosalind: Rosalind watched as the others put their shoulders to the door and finally forced the wood to buckle and give. The door swung open, and hopefully, no one went tumbling. Inside, Sorcha sat on the floor looking at an extremely foul-smelling corpse with dark brown hair. The body was well-decayed, but Sorcha seemed to know who it was. She crossed herself, though she made no effort to stand again.

"Always wondered wot 'appened to him," Sorcha said in a tiny voice.

Bess: "It's givin..it's given Jack....Woah now EH!" As the thing gave way so in went the court, at least the Lady of it sorta catapulted in because of her nearness to the lock. The foul stench of the room drew the color clean out of her face and the shade of her eyes almost transfered to her cheeks. Sorcha was alive, but whatever she was looking at..."Who is tha', now.." She asked in a gentler voice, swallowing her own gagging revulsion as she came closer, "N' wot are ye hidin' Sorcha, yer sister was in love with a MacKinnon, in the lady o' this castle in dealins tha' rightly could have gotten her killed...."

Sorcha: "John Payne," Sorcha offered. "The Englishman. He came to, oh, I dunnae, I'm no' anna fancy lady'd ken. I'm no' hidin' annathin'."

Bess: "Then ye'd better stay with us then, whomever's payin ye lass dun pay ye enough."

Brennah: Brennah was with Siobhan and moved with her when Lucius pulled her along by the wrist. Brennah reached out to grab Siobhans other and held on. Once the door gave, she of course move closer to see what was found and made a face at the findings. Listened as the High Lady asked Sorsha her questions and Sorsha gave her answers. Brennah had released Siobhan's hand and made a cross over her chest , saying a silent prayer for the man even if he had long since died. Brennah looked to Sorsha. `` Why are you in here? Why would we be finding you as we have?``

Sorcha: "It was the nearest door," she responded, merely stating the obvious. "Ye all ran after me an' isna tha' a powerful frightenin' thing?"

Brennah: Brennah gave her a glare. `` Sorcha... thats bull shyte.... if you are who you say you are, and know the things a servant should, you would know what this door was too. And if you've been here as long as you say you have, well.. it doesn't make sense on you just now discovering him and locking the door.``

Jack: How long had it taken Lucuis, Jack, and Bess to get the door open? Each had taken time to slam their shoulders against the door. Of course, it seemed as though Bess' spill in the room would cause a miniature chain reaction, with Jack nearly spilling over Bess. "Shyte!" Fortunately, they didn't literally fall over one another. As the Irishman regained himself, he saw the aged and mighty foul smelling corpse. What would the others do, when the Irishman went to it? He was no healer, but he was well versed in the ways which one man might take another's life. How'd this man seemed to have shuffled off the mortal coil? The Irishman would look to the Irishman would look to Sorcha.

Narrator: The man had been brained with one good blow to the side of the head. He had died instantly with whatever blunt object had made contact with him, which was likely a good thing. The wound wasn't pretty.

Lucius: Lucius stood back with Siobhan and Brennah until the door was opened and everyone poured in. Still holding onto Siobhan's hand and keeping her close to him, he walked into the room to see the dead and decaying body. Lucius frowned deeply and wrinkled. John...his eyes widened. ``John..did..the Lady of the house write and speak with..the departed John often...`` The letters..what Siobhan's maid had seen. Lucius did not let go of Siobhan's hand, not wanting to lose sight of her in this weird place. ``Sorcha...my Lady..how close were you to the Lady of the house...is this her...John?``

Jack: But he was cold again, "Ye speak tha' truth now." He said, "Tell us o' what yer 'eart sister's relationship wit' this man?" He pointed at the body, "Where ye rivals fer ' is 'and? Er t'was there some rival fer yer 'eart sister's 'and?"

Sorcha: "The Lady dinna ha' no John, but Lady Caitriona did, aye." She glowered. But it was hard to tell whether she was glowering at the mention of John and Caitriona or Brennah's statement.

Brennah: Brennah passed the High Lsdy the old torch she held. `` Look here... this was what I found. Look at the smudges there... `` she pointed out.

Sorcha: "I dinna lock the door," she said firmly, clenching her fists. "I wanted ta get awa' from ye and yer damned questions!"

Bess: "I dun believe Caitrona was just yer heart sister, n' Ah think ye were her sister....If ye are really Sorcha at all? Ye know a great awful lot n' pretend tae know nothin when it comes to important..but if Lady Caitriona were yer heart sister....than ye'd know o' her lovers, or her losses. Dun ye want tae know wot became o' her, why wouldn't ye. If this man is John Payne n' Caitriona knew him, were they lovers..a dead Englishman, a ruined MacKinnon banner."

Sorcha: "FINE!" she shouted, going from glower to glare in three seconds flat. "Shush and I'll tell ye!"

Lucius: Lucius arched a brow. Sorcha was so angry, but why? Well, aside from the fact that people were not accusing her of murdering someone. Brown eyes drifted to Jack for a moment, before turning back to Sorcha and watching her expression closely. When the woman shouted, he blinked, but that stoic expression learned from his father did not move. Instead, he said nothing. Lips pressed themselves together before he turned to Brennah. ``It does no good to concern ourselves with who did or did not lock it, my Lady.`` That was pointless at the moment, but his eyes turned to Sorcha again.

Brennah: `` You had to have locked it! For you to so easily slip in... and then it take two people to knock it down.... `` Brennah pointed out.

Bess: She looked at Brennah's find before turning to see that Sorcha would give. "Good, n' be quick n' be truthful Sorcha. These be m'people yer toyin' with n' there be alot o' family names here..ah will nay see sullied further."

Sorcha: "I didna lock it." She hadn't. Nor had she known John Payne was in this room. Who wanted to lock themselves in a room with a nice juicy corpse?

Jack: The Irishman crouched down again, looking at the old torch that they were holding above his head. Then he said, "Tis nae mystery wha' killed him." He rose, taking the torch from who ever held it now. He laid it just so -- and it fit the hole in the man's skull. Jack got up, "Seems as though someone wanted ta see tha insides o' 'is 'ead an' used this tae dae sae."

Sorcha: "Caitriona 'n I nearly grew up together. We were sisters in all but blood, ken? An' she was always in love with Eoghan mac Pilip, e'en if he was a MacKinnon an' meant for great things, ye ken? He was supposed ta' go ta' University 'n.... oh, I dunno what University men de, but it's great, right?" She sighed softly, and shot daggers at whoever sought to interrupt her. She'd been interrupted all her damned life, and just wanted the opportunity to be heard. No wonder she was so angry -- they were all accusing her of knowing what she did not, and locking herself in rooms with corpses! "Annaway. Caitriona an' I had an' opportunity ta serve at MacRuari Keep an' we both took it. Eoghan was heartbroken, of course. He wanted ta marry Cait, an' here she goes off gallivantin' to a castle, but I couldna let her go on her own. So I followed. We both worked in th' scullery for months, but one day, the Lady she takes it in her head as Caitriona's so beautiful, why no' make her a proper lady's maid? Around tha' time, doesna bonnie yon Eoghan come ta MacRuari Keep? But he burns through all his money, like, an canna afford ta de annathin' but hire himself as a groundskeep. I tol' him he should forget Caitriona. She's goin' ta be a great lady, an' she coulda been, I guess." Sorcha frowned, glancing down at her clenched hands in her lap. "But then John Payne comes to the Keep an' Caitriona is happy havin' two suitors for her hand, no' understandin' wha' Eoghan gave up for her. Weel. It tore at m'heart, and me workin' in the scullery until th' siege an' now I'm changin' bed linens for beds ain' been slept in. I'm glad they're all deid," she declared at last. "Payne was a prick and Cait a ravin' bytch, 'n I'm done wi' all of them." She stood up, dusted off her skirts, and somehow wiggled her way out of the room in the stunned silence. "That answer ye damned questions!" she barked behind her as she strode through those tiny corridors.

Brennah: The more Brennah heard the more she began to wonder if maybe Sorcha was really Caitriona and Caitriona was really Sorcha. She had heard where people took up the identities of others after ones death. And there could always be the swapping of stories also to be more fitting for whoever was behind all of this. Secrets on top of secrets, lies on lies... it was all crazy.

Bess: "Sae ye heart sister becomes a lady's maid n' this locket..was it given tae her by one of her suitors! Wait now!" Beathag was ready to outright slap the woman. All of this ducking, dodging, for that? Poor souls, the man had to be a groundskeeper? A MacKinnon reduced to that? "Tha' man's ghost was at the top o' the stairs......" What of the poetry...was that for Caitrona, written by her suitors? Did the lady of the house encourage the matches and had poor Eoghan caught wind of darker dealings in his pursuit of Caitrona, the lady's maid? "When we leave this house, any man wot has my authority is gaein tae take tha' woman in on charges o' evasion. I dun trust her one wit. N' when we leave...when everythin' tha' can be drawn from this cursed place is.....it's gaein tae get burned." She went to follow Rosalind then, her heart racing behind a calm face. It was terrible. Just terrible. No, and she wasn't going to let this damned place stand for long either

Lucius: What in the world had they gotten themselves into. Lucius listened the woman speak and watched her--along with Beathag--leave the room with the corpse. Lucius moved outside quickly, not wanting to be in the room with a dead man longer than needed. He saw enough at war, he didn't need to see one decaying and positively gruesome.

Rosalind: Rosalind hurried into the room. Had she ever not been with the group. She rapped lightly on the door to alert them to her presence. "She's gone. I could not follow her. But you'll never guess what I found. There are tracks that go under a door. I thought I would ... tell everyone. Rather than go in alone." Coward.

Siobhan: How..tragic. Siobhan simply watched in silence as the woman moved off, glad now that her sister was dead? One of the suitors was dead? Siobhan did not hide her frown as the woman walked by and she held on to Lucius' hand. Eyes drifted towards Brennah and the clue she had found, before Rosalind came forward to say she found doors. Beathag still seemed to be talking after the girl. ``We will go with you Rosalind. Show us where.``

[Lady Rosalind Avalle]

Part IX
The Walls Run Red

Narrator: The door was not locked, so whoever pointed out the tracks leading under the door was either very kind or very stupid for not taking the initiative and exploring the room for him or herself first. Doing so would have yielded a huge treasure, wealth of the sort few if any had ever before seen in one place, much less in the storybook treasure chest. The room was empty save the chest, which had been shoved as far as its previous owner could manage -- not quite flush against the wall, but neither was it in the center of the room. Aside from a few obvious handfuls of coins that had been removed from the top, the treasure was all there. Small gold coins with the old French king's face minted on one side, and the Latin inscription beneath, were heavier than they looked, and plentiful.

Rosalind was one of the first in the room, and when she opened the treasure chest, her eyes lit. She was just about to reach into the chest when something very strange happened.

The walls of the room turned darker, darker, until they seemed the deep red-black of arterial blood. She shrieked and backed away from the chest, only to realize she now stood ankle-deep in blood. From opposing walls, emerging from the blood, were two silhouettes of men -- a tall one she recognized with a shudder of her heart, and another beside him that she did not recognize. The taller of the two men stepped forward and gave Rosalind a sweeping glance with dead eyes. The blood vanished slowly, though parts of his person remained stiff with dried blood. His hands had two dark holes, like stigmata, and a heavy, dark stain took up most of the left breast of his jerkin. He bared his teeth, which remained as white as a youthful boy's, and outstretched his hands to wrap around Rosalind's throat, as they had done nearly two months before, in a room just down the hall with a fortunately-placed window. He was a figure straight from her night terrors, and though she opened her mouth to scream, no sound emerged.

Just as Fearghus seemed about to accomplish in death what he had been unable to do in life, though not for a lack of trying, the figure of John Payne stepped forward and rested a hand against Fearghus's shoulder. Fearghus dropped his hands and stilled, not like a child rebuked, but like a dog poised to rip the arm off an intruder. The moment was enough for Rosalind to stagger backward toward safety, crossing herself swiftly and fervently. "THIEF!" Fearghus's voice was a low, vicious snarl that rose in volume despite the single, accusatory syllable.

"I have always taken what isn't mine to take," the man said reasonably, holding his hands up as if that would fend off the mad Lamont. "Caitriona and I might have started a life together with it. I found it. It was mine."

"THIEF!" Fearghus roared, and launched himself at the Englishman's ghost. Rather than any great impact, the two men disappeared almost instantly, as if a switch had been pressed.

Jack: "At yer wish, Bess," The Irishman said with obvious relish. He'd do more than simply burn the place down into ash. He'd do that, an' salt the very earth to! This place was a vile and accursed place, befitting only the souls of the dead.

Bess: "Rosalind, wot e'er is yours here, wot' ere be mine, wot e'ere be MacKinnon..if anythin here is worth it we shall take it...but this place can't stand erect.....Ah can't let it." Bess' face was noticeably blanched. This keep was a keep of the damned! Boxes of treasure were here! The coins matched those in the box! Just as she peered over Rosalind's shoulder, beginning to put this as some sort of money already tainted with blood.the walls..ran. "Bah the Morrigu herself n' the cauldrons n'......this place is as restless as the world o' the dead beneath the seas.!" The woman all but shrieked, nearly run down by Rosalind as the figure of her dead husband went for the dead Englishman

Lucius: Brown eyes drifted to Rosalind, and when she spoke of another door, Lucius inwardly sighed. Another damn door? Was this treasure truly worth the maze it was putting them through? Lucius was not about to let Rosalind, Siobhan, or Brennah go alone. Rosalind was the first there in the room, though by the time he got there, he saw the blood on the walls, floor, and the two...ghosts?! His eyes widened and he stood at the doorway, still holding onto Siobhan's hand. His face paled at the sight of it. Let the ghosts have it and fight forever.

Brennah: Brennah left the room with the others, moving at Siobhan's side as much as possible and heard Rosalind speak on a door with tracks. She nodded in agreement with the others, willing to go to so that they all might investigate it together. Though, it seemed that once all gathered in the room beyond the door, all were in for quite a shock. Breannah's eyes grew wide with both disbelief and fear. Her hand clutched to anyone's other near her own while the other came to cross over her chest and began to recite the Lords Prayer to herself more so than for the others. Lord almighty and the stars above... this place was begging to be freed from the binds that held it in such a state.

Bess: So! Lamont and the Englishmen were crossed at odds...the money in this room..involved. Paying for portions of unclaimed lands? Sealing debts? But where did the poor MacKinnon fit in, and Caitriona was the strumpet in many hearts? The walls...her feet..the blood...where was Sorcha? "Sorcha, Sorcha? Ye damnable woman....where did ye get tae.." Was the servant already dead herself...or..."Sorcha! Sorcha where be ye?" She turned her head over her shoulder to see where they had come from...to see....what became of her...."This is no place for the living....nay place! Ah dun know wot hand the MacRauri's had but it is a damned one, damned! They toy with things far beyond their understanding!

Siobhan: Something felt as if it were missing to her or maybe Siobhan had gotten lost in her own personal worries along the way? Hearing Lady Rosalind scream, made her heart start to pound in her chest, before two shadows were seen and what Siobhan was watching, she could not be sure. She froze, simply watching the on goings as her mind tried to turn it over.

Jack: Jack advised those tha' would listen, "Take nae what tis in this chest, learn true what ye 'ave seen! This money shall bring only madness, death, an' yer denied true rest." He paused, "Aye! Where t'was tha' woman?"

Rosalind: "It has already brought that much," Rosalind said in reply to Jack's honest words. Holy Christ, was this what she had accused Fearghus of taking? Whose coin was it? The coin said French, but why would France give Fearghus a king's ransom? "I want out of here. Bess...." Rosalind didn't usually betray what she was thinking or feeling, but right now, it was clear she wasn't thinking much beyond escaping the room, and she was feeling very, very nauseated.

Bess: "C'mon Rosalind, Come...we are leavin n' this place will be burned tae the ground, the earth salted, the graves blessed by any clergy Christian or Pagan wot be brave enough tae dae it sae the dead do nay walk here me, burned! Cast yer torches on it..." She was nearly in tears....they welled up in her eyes. This was a side of the family she didn't want to know. If they were linked with Lamonts, right now, she didn't want to know the secrets of the dead. This was every pagan's tale brought to terrifying life.

[Lady Rosalind Avalle]

Part X
Ghosts on the Roof

Sorcha: Sorcha didn't want to talk anymore. She didn't want to think about Eoghan, or how Cait was lucky enough to have two men who loved her enough that they would come back from the dead for her. That she was standing behind them in the door way at all, observing the horrific scene within, meant she must have hidden in the corridor rather than run entirely away, too frightened to leave the group, but too annoyed to stay with them and deal with their ceaseless questions. She dashed out of sight, swift even in the darkness, for her torch was still on the floor back in the room where John Payne's body was.

She took the fastest route to the rooftop, her pockets heavy with French gold and her heart burdened with the deaths of those she loved. A stiff wind caught her off guard and she took a tumble, falling against the crenellation and sent off-balance by the extra gold in her pockets. Just like Cait....

Bess: "Sorcha, Sorcha! Come with us woman are ye damned crazy ye can nay stay here!" The woman was an insufferable boar when it came to her secrets but what burdened her heart was heavier than most! She broke away from them and Beathag, lord knows what possessed her....took after! The woman had to be going out, no? Smart servant even in delirium? "Sorcha stop..Sorcha!" Onward, onward, and upward.? The air brushed against her face as she turned her torch to the woman's last...literally fatal steps..."SORCHA!" She reached out her hand to her, but found it was too late......fingers barely splayed out to touch an inch of her own before he wind threw her over, and down..down... "AHHHH!!!!" She screamed. Bess screamed with no concern for appearance, and f**k it all to hell! She backed up against the firmest thing on the roof and all but hid her eyes.

Sorcha: Sorcha's screams rent the night air as she dropped down, scraping against the wall until she found another hold, but barely. Her grip was slipping on the stone. Her pockets were making her so heavy, and the gold bangle on her wrist dug into her flesh as it wedged against the immovable rock of MacRuari Keep. "Help! Oh, God, help me! I was wrong, I'm sorry, I was wrong! I shouldn't have taken it! Cait, forgive me!" Just as her fingers began sliding off, an odd shimmer appeared. A certain ghost, now familiar to this party, rested his hands atop Sorcha's. His red hair glowed in the moonlight, and his expression was soft, forgiving.

Jack: The Irishman swore as he raced after her, "BESS! BESS! STOP!" Ha! Good advice, there, Jack. Even as you race after her. He pause, before turning down, "Oy! One o' ye lot go an' take tha' Frenchie coin off Dora! Dun let 'er leave this accursed place wit' it!" It was, after all, cursed treasure. As the Irishman at last gained the top, he paused. "Fer fook's shake....." Jack went to give aide, helping Bess and the ghost get Sorcha back safe to earth.

Bess: "Sorcha, Sorcha!" What were her eyes seeing, the woman wasn't dead..holy....the ghost was....well she couldn't..make sense of it but she helped those ghost with poor Sorcha.."C'mon girl...dun gae tha' way...hold fast aye? Hold on!"

Rosalind: Sorcha screamed again anyway, believing this ghost about to exact vengeance on her for taking the gold from Cait's dead body. But Eoghan only seemed to give her the strength to hold on a moment longer, until one or more of the treasure hunters could grab onto her hands and haul her back onto the rooftop. While Sorcha crumpled against her saviors, Eoghan smiled distantly. He seemed to notice something on the far end of the roof. "Ah, my Caitriona," he murmured, and walked toward the shimmering ghost of the fallen lady-in-waiting. They embraced, and Sorcha opened her eyes just as Catriona smiled. Believing this the forgiveness she sought, Sorcha grabbed the gold bangle on her wrist and held it out to whoever would take it. She also emptied her pockets.

"When she fell, I found all the gold, and I took it. I didna ken there was more, but I probably would have taken it. 'Tis cursed! I made a bracelet out of the gold. I was goin' to tak' it awa' from the castle, but I couldna go. Not like this," she said, occasionally choking back a sob. Sorcha stepped forward, almost touching the two ghosts. "I am sorry," she said sincerely, bowing her head. Her shoulders shook. "I am so sorry. Caitriona, ye were a sister to me, an' I didna believe ye about John. An' wha' I did -- thinkin' I was in love with ye, Eoghan...." The ghosts' smiles did not vanish, even as they did. Sorcha shook her head slowly and turned back to the others.

Bess: "Sorcha...tis alright now....tis alright now.....ye are nay gaein' anywhere girl except away from 'ere....she'll be..at..peace..now.." What did she see, what did she here? Beathag believed ardently in this and to her, this was proof of what happened during ill boding times. These ghosts found peace, happiness. The living found forgiveness. But what else lay here....."C'mon.." She put her arm around the poor servant and the servant would find the six feet of Gaelic-Norman woman visibly shaken...."Rest ye spirits, once n' fer all. Gae ye tae the o'er side n' be embraced by the Gods o' yer people n' yer kin, lay with yer family in body n' laugh with them in spirit. By Gods n' spirits take it away. Take it away n' let nay more haunt the livin..." Burned. Salted, Prayed over. Enchanted, and anything but a memorial would be forbidden from being built here on top of these pained grounds. She just held onto Sorcha and looked to Siobhan, "They will fer they listen now, this place is caught between the livin' n' the dead...tis a prayer, for their peace, n' the ones who wrong them......may they know torment.." The dead heard them all!

Siobhan: Siobhan turned to see the servant stopped. Beathag was taking Rosalind out of here and cursing to burn the place down. Sorcha ran, Beathag followed. Siobhan sighed. Beathag seemed to run head on into trouble, though perhaps to save the girl or pull her away. Siobhan's maiden begged her to go and Siobhan was ready to leave. The paths, were unsure, but Lucius was coming too, for she was not going to get lost alone! They did not get but two steps from the area, as the scene unfolded. It was so hard to hear, with Beathag's words, Sorcha's begs. A warm breeze and she could feel the chills on her skin. It was so hard to think. The whisper, so ahrd to hear with Beathag, rambling on, trying to make the spirits listen to her. ``I don't think they will listen to you, Duchess or not. they do not care, my lady.`` She spoke. Silence..it was hard to gain with so many.

Brennah: Brennah stepped back, her hand to her chest, her heart pounding away and her mind racing with all sorts of thoughts. Brennah had moved with the others, all on the rooftop and as she stood back amazed as at it all, wanting to move but unable to. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, a voice whispered softly into her ear. He told of a story of love, of courage, and of sacrifice... Brennah's eyes welled up, nodding silently when he pointed out if she'd done the same as he had. Understanding it all now, and that the torch she had found, had held, was proof of what he had tried to do.

Jack: "Aye," The Irishman's voice boomed out again. Had the others been able to hear the words of the dead and thirce damned voice for Fearghus Lamont, "Tis yers!" Or had the Irishman seemingly lost his mind, "Yer greed fer gold an' yer unspeakable sins 'ave earned ye this damned fate, Feargus Lamont!" There seemed to be something in Jack's voice, as he said, "'Ear me Feargus Lamont! There be only one an' acceptable fate fer ye! Yer most wretched sins an' tha gold tha' ye bought ta betray the people o' these lands an' the one ye abused shall be e'er twined! Cursed and damend you, Lamont! Ne'er ta know tha green planes o' Mag Mell! Fe'er are ye cursed ta be trapped in this place, ta worn away others from yer damned, cursed, an' illgotten treasure! No peace shall ye have!" And here the Irishman caught his breath, "An' may tha ringin' o' e'ery church bell in 'earin' bring ye nothing but pain! I curse you thus, Feargus Lamont! "

Lucius: Lucius saw the lady Beathag and Jack run after Sorcha who had gone up on the roof, leaving the three of them alone. Lucius sighed, but he was not going to leave the women here alone. Lucius went with Siobhan, turning to Brennah and making sure she was nearby before he stopped on the roof, the wind of the day rustling his hair. Had everyone lost their minds?! To run after someone on the roof...Lucius stopped, skidding to a halt beside Siobhan as his chest was heaving slightly from all the rushing about. With the breeze that tousled his hair, a soft voice, like a whisper, touched his ears, but so many people were shouting and instead of listening, some rambled on. The voice...it was feminine and sounded so soft...revealing the ending of the puzzle. Lucius swallowed hard, having never conversed or heard from ghosts before, it was slightly cryptic. Lucius closed his eyes for a moment. Love and mundane needs...the woman's voice touched him far deeper than anyone would ever know. ``May you rest now...my Lady..and let earthly needs of money and standing haunt you no more..`` He whispered, to the ghost if ever she could hear him. Foolish he might have looked, but he felt a swell of pity for the woman. He frowned and bowed his head, before opening his eyes and glancing to Sorcha. His heart twisted painfully, and reaching out to her, Lucius took her hand and gave it a light squeeze. Let others mutter and ramble..he heard the ghost, and as strange and discomforting as it was, the ghost spoke to him for a reason...one he was not entirely sure, but had an idea of the moral.

Siobhan: The whisper, made Siobhan turn, trying to look at a face, thinking it would be there as the voice spoke. Confusion...but understanding. Cait chose the red haired man...she loved him. ``SSHHHH LADY DUCHES..`` She yelled out, not meaning to be rude, but she was trying to listen, as a side of the story was spoken. Did Lucius not hear the man?

Bess: Then move past her! She muttered, though was intrigued to listen as well. She was quiet only out of further perpetual shock, though one solid blond eyebrow shot upward. Let them keen the dead all they blessedly would want to, she'd seen n' heard quite enough for one evening. You think the Christians would be praying for a holy rain to wash this all clean away! Well she did her bit to pray certainly, and would take up her lot with the fellow noisy pagan who did what tradition taught him. All of this though, for love. She understood that. It made her eyes well up all the more. "The love o' the people in these halls, n' this land transcend death. Tha' is all the good Ah shall take from this place.." She muttered softly, "If ye would like Sorcha, ye may return in m'carriage, rest n' the castle..n'..find yer way come mornin'. Wot place ye seek we shall find it for ye." where the woman had annoyed her, the forgiven servant now left behind to tell the tale of these sad times. Lucius' voice hit the wind, and she agreed with him. A hand went through Sorcha's hair, though at the base of her spine a fear gripped at new mysteries that lay out to be solved. Now the French were involved, and Rosalind too! What had the old families of the land left for their heirs? "Lady MacRauri, wot 'ave ye done.." she said unto the air, "Wot 'ave ye done.."

Brennah: As her eyes welled up, they turned to the ghosts, the lovers that had been destined to be together in their past life, and now is this one. For even in death their love was just as real as anything else in the known world. Brennah understood why things had happened as they had, it was for love. The one thing all men strived to possess, and never knew they had it to begin with.

Rosalind: "That curse was much better than mine," Rosalind offered, though she did wonder what encouraged such shouting from the Admiral. He'd always seemed so ... well balanced.

Siobhan: Tears welled in her eyes, as the puzzle to the body and what happened was spoken from the man who suffered the most it seemed. There would always be a loser in a love triangle, always someone who's heart would be broken. However, Sir Payne would get more then his heart broken. ``I hear you.. I will tell your side..`` She whispered.

Narrator: The ghosts, which ones were visible, inclined their heads politely, and then quietly shimmered away. They had nothing more to do with this place, though one wondered about the ghost of Fearghus Lamont. That malicious spirit might still haunt the rooftops and send ladies tumbling over the crenellations yet. In fact, the breeze that stirred now was far too cold for this season, and Rosalind needed no encouragement to begin backing away toward the safety of the level below the roof. She'd had her fill of ghosts tonight.

Jack: There was a smile, somewhat subdued, as he met Rosalind's gaze. He said, "When ye 'ave the blood o' Mananna mac Lir's 'andmaidens in yer veins..... ye find ye see an' 'ear wha' others cannae. He was quiet for a while, before he said, "An' Manannan mac Lir 'ear's yer words all tha more clear. An' gives 'em the weight of th gods."

Rosalind: "It does, I think." She resisted the urge to cross herself against such pagan talk. The Admiral had gained considerable friend-points by cursing at her late husband in such a way.

Bess: "Let's follow Rosalind, Sorcha, aye?" In her pocket were still the ties to Scotland and France...in her head..a night of horrors, and the lingering traces of fear. Picking up the fallen torch, her face looked like dead ashes and all she wanted now was to go home. The people who had come tonight were brave, and now she had a great many things besides love stories to consider. Though the one she had with Adam....that of Maubrey's mad obsession with Murieall, his wife's broken heart, and the generations of those who had been damned in these halls..the tears in her eyes ran for them.

Jack: Before Bess got too far, Jack seized her arm. He hissed, "Bess! The coins ye found in tha' grounds an' in tha Lady's room? Dae nae take 'em with ye! Leave 'em 'ere."

Bess: "Oh, oh aye!" She reached in and tossed the accursed thing back onto the roof..and the papers, well....she looked to Jack, "Yer memory is keen aye?"

Rosalind: "I do not know if they are mine. If they are, I do not want them. Melt them down, sell them to your allies for wealth, madam. Give Skye something to sit upon. Or sink it in the sea, whatever moves you."

Jack: "Keen ''nough," he said.

Bess: "Aye dun think the paper should come with us either. Dun worry, lass, it's burnin', the entire lot o' it..it's all burnin." She pulled the clues she'd kept and tossed them out as well. Her mind had recovered enough.

Siobhan: Coins meant as much to Siobhan at this moment, as it meant to the ghost who spoke to her. It was sad to hear those words from the Duchess, as she held on to Lucius' hand and her maiden's. Brennah was pulled closer, for some how she knew, she shared this with them.

Brennah: Brennah blinked several times, coming back to the current time and place before realizing the others were in motion. Brennah made quick with her steps, moving in after all the others but of course glancing back to a couple spots as Siobahn took her hand and moved off with the rest of the crowd. Brennah's free hand retrived the two coins, dropped them and left them behind.

[Lady Rosalind Avalle]

Epilogue
Stories From Beyond

Eoghan mac Pilip
Brennah's Visitor

His voice was a soft whisper in the ear, though his ghostly body remained beside Caitriona. There was deep pain in his voice, but also a certain amount of peace, now that he was beside his beloved. "I came here to court my childhood sweetheart, ne'er knowin' she'd be made a lady-in-waitin', and me remaining a simple groundskeeper. We couldna be together most days, but I loved her. Och, I loved her so deeply, it hurt, aye? I kent she was stirrin' up dangerous plans wi' th' Englishman. I followed her into tha' dark part of the Keep, and there I find him pinnin' her against a wall, beggin' her to come wi' him. Well, I couldna abide such a thin', and I brought the torch doon on his heid, but wouldna ye ken, just as I did...the whole castle shook and shuddered beneath us, like a great dragon awakening? I beat him agin an' agin, an' made sure my Cait would stay safe in one of those rooms. I had tae gae, t' see for myself what I could de to help. I was shovelin' dirt on the flames and the rocks fell down on me. Och, I was hurtin' so bad, but I remember seein' my Cait when she found me in the great hall, where all the hurt n' dyin' were waitin'. I dinna remember anymore."


Caitriona inghean Donnchaidh
Lucius' Visitor

Her voice was a soft whisper in the ear, though her ghostly body remained beside Eoghan. There was deep pain in her voice, but also a certain amount of peace, now that she was beside her beloved. "I came here to make somethin' o' myself as a young girl, aye? Oh, I loved Eoghan, but th' lure o' betterin' myself was too much for this country lass. I didna ken the Lady would tak' a fancy t' me, but I kent tha' when she did, I couldna be carryin' on wi' the groundskeeper. But then John Payne arrived wi' all his fancy clothes and lovely promises, and while I knew I was in love with Eoghan -- och, I am not so cruel as to lie about tha' -- John was wonderful, too. I wanted to tell John I was leavin' wi' Eoghan. We wanted to start our family together. I found him in tha' old part of the castle, draggin' this big, heavy chest behind him on the ground. He saw me and got so angry! I thought he was goin' to kill me for certain but then .... Eoghan found us. An' my heart about stopped. Eoghan was so kind. He made sure I was safe an' then he left t' help at the wall. So I went to find this treasure, aye? Maybe John couldn't be wealthy, but now Eoghan and I could! I filled my pockets wi' gold and went up to the infirmary to help where I could. It was a while before I saw my Eoghan among the dyin'. His eyes were glassy and starin' at me and I kent he was dead. I ran, so fast I tripped on the roof, and somethin' pushed me ower th' edge, an' I remember fallin'.... And then I dinna remember anna more."


John Payne
Siobhan's Visitor

The ghosts of Eoghan and Caitriona were not the only spirits present on the roof. To the receptive, a warm breeze signified the entrance of the ghost from down below, the Englishman John Payne. He leaned close and whispered, "I found the gold and I took it with me. We were going to start a life together, she and I. But when I asked her to come with me, she said instead it was over, and she was going to go away with her true love, this Scot with a lazy eye and no wealth to speak of. I knew they were in love, and it angered me -- I believe I ran a sword through a tapestry at one point, for I could not do the same to my rival without jeopardizing my position here. I hurt her, I think, when she found me with the treasure -- imagine, it was sitting in a room, and the door was not even locked! She would not listen, so I shook her. Then I saw Eoghan, holding a torch. It came down on my head and I do not remember anything more. Just darkness. So much darkness."


Fearghus Lamont
Jack's Visitor

The ghosts of Eoghan and Caitriona were not the only spirits present on the roof. To the receptive, a bitterly cold wind as if sent from the depths of winter raced along the roof and threatened to spill the unwary over the edge. Perhaps it was the rage of the Lamont chieftain that took Caitriona over the roof the first time. But perhaps Caitriona's death had been a suicide, or an unfortunate accident. But with such malice and hatred in the voice that spoke into the unwary's ear, it was quite possible it had been Fearghus Lamont. "The gold is mine. I gave some to Lady Mary to tell me when Rosalind would leave Aberdeen and I gave quite a bit more to the Pope to ignore the details of our marriage. I gave and I gave and I gave, and still, the money never diminished. The money! Dear God, to think it is all hers! I told that wench, Lady MacRuari, that if she kept the money safe, I would give her lands in Scotland. The bytch believed me, and did not touch a cent of it -- even gave me a room to take Rosalind to when I had her drugged. Ah, the plans I had.... what I might only have done."