“Truly, my lady, you should not go in there. It is not safe, and Lord Torin forbids anyone to enter the keep without his permission,” Verena said, worry on her round face and in her gentle voice.
If only Verena had not told her that. How now did she get around not obeying her husband, although she would probably be wise to obey him on occasion. “I know it is believed that the ghost of the giant resides there, and I am curious to see for myself.”
Verena shook her head. “It is not just believed, it is true. The ghost of the giant does reside in the keep, though he never shows himself, but he is heard, and his breath felt.”
That intrigued Flora even more. “Has he harmed anyone?”
“Nay, my lady, he mostly frightens, but one can never tell if he will lose his temper and do harm. That is why it is better to stay away, not annoy or provoke him and cause more problems than already exist.”
It was thoughtful the woman worried over her, but Flora could not let that stop her. “I appreciate your warning, Verena, but once my curiosity takes hold there is no stopping it. We will talk again and thank you for the food and drink.”
With that Flora left a stunned Verena staring after her as she hurried up the steps to the keep and disappeared inside.
Flora stood in a narrow room, unlit torches in brackets on either side of a closed double door. There was a musty odor as if the room had been closed away for some time. Eager to explore, she opened the one side of the double doors, the iron hinges creaking, and entered a large room the only light from a broken wood shutter that hung loose on a window high up on one of the stone walls. A large stone fireplace took up nearly one wall and numerous trestle tables and benches ran on either side of the room in a straight line and up to the long table at the far end, though did not attach to it. A white cloth, covered in dust was draped over it. She realized then she stood in the Great Hall. Tapestries, in need of a good dusting, hung on two walls as well as colored banners. Oil lamps sat atop tall pedestals in various places around the room that would provide sufficient light as well as light from the fire in the large, cold hearth, yet to be cleaned of its ashes.
She spent a few moments listening for any strange sounds, a moan, or the feel of a breath on her, but she heard nothing and felt nothing.
She proceeded to the far-left corner of the hall and through a doorway into a dark, short hallway. She was able to spot another doorway to the left. She tried the handle, but it was locked tight. She returned to the Great Hall and spotted a curving staircase off to the side. The stairs disappeared up into darkness but that did not stop Flora. She braced her hand on the wall and carefully made her way up. She reached a landing where there was a door, or you could continue up the staircase. She chose to open the door.
A gloomy light flooded the room as well as a deep cold. She looked up to see that once again shutters hung broken, and she wondered if the ghost had anything to do with the damage. It was a small bedchamber, thick with dust which meant it had not been used in some time. Metal sconces, their torches dark, were mounted on the walls along with weapons, and chests, some piled three high, were tucked here and there.
She stood a moment and listened but heard nothing. She continued exploring, climbing to the next floor with careful steps since she could barely see in front of her to come upon a bedchamber. It was dark with not an ounce of light, though she did catch a peek of a light on one wall and carefully made her way toward it, bumping her leg only once on a chair from the feel of it. The dim light was trying to force its way through the shutters. Flora reached up to open them, but her fingers just missed the bar that held them closed. She eased her way back from where she had walked and bumped into the chair again. She managed to push it over to the window bumping once into a chest. She climbed up on the chair and yanked the slim iron bar back and pulled the shutters open.
Though the sky was gloomy it was still enough light to reveal the room. It was a large room with a large bed occupying a good portion of it. Dust covered everything and the musty odor she had smelled downstairs was more prevalent up here.
She got down off the chair and pushed it more easily this time to another shuttered window and got that one opened. Light and fresh, cold air flooded the room, and Flora smiled. This was something she could see to, bringing the keep back to life and solving the mystery of the ghost.
“I am here, Giant, I intend to find you so we can talk,” she called out and jumped when what sounded like a moan swept into the room on a chilly wind. “So, you heard me. Talk with me.”
Her words were met with complete silence, and she gave it thought. Her da did not believe in ghosts while her mum was not sure. Her da insisted there was an explanation for everything if one looked hard enough and did not give in to fanciful thoughts. She would weigh both her parents’ opinions on this and see where they brought her.
“Talk with me or not, Giant,” she said and slipped off her cloak and draped it over the chair. “I am here to stay, and I do not frighten easily.” She thought a moment. “Except in battle, battle does frighten me. Now to get to work.” She began by pulling the bedding off the bed.
* * *
Torin’s returnto his wife took longer than he would have liked. People stopped him to wish him well on his marriage and to bless him with many heirs. Some also had issues they brought to him, his fault since he had been gone too long from home. He listened patiently, though was impatient to return to his wife. He should have told her the truth about why they would be staying in the cottage. While he had no intentions of discussing certain clan matters with her, he should have been honest about the keep. He hoped that no one had said a word to her about the ghost and he had time to explain it all.
“Worry not, Philip,” Torin said, to the older man whose strength was not what it once was and gave a nod to Kinnell. “Kinnell will see that your roof is repaired tomorrow.”
“Thank you, my lord. I knew you would take care of it right away. You are a good man. Your grandfather, Lord Hamish, would be proud of you,” Philip said.
“I am glad to hear that. My grandda meant much to me,” Torin said.
“And you to him, my lord,” Philip said.
Torin walked off with Kinnell, thinking about his grandda and wondering how such a good man produced a son that could be cruel at times.
“You are nothing like your da, Lord Evander,” Kinnell said. “You are like your grandfather right down to the good features and handsome smile that steals all the lasses’ hearts.”
Torin laughed. “You know me too well.” And he did. Kinnell and he had been friends since they were young and he also was familiar with what type of man Torin’s da had been, scolding often with his mouth and quick with his hand.
“Aye, which is why I can be truthful with you.”
“And glad I am for it,” Torin said, grateful for his friendship, though it was more a brotherhood they shared. “Now it is time I get back to my wife.”
Torin stopped in front of the keep staring up at it.
“It looks sad,” Kinnell said.