By Sir Kyle - August 5th, 2001
This tale began a few months ago. I was sitting in the Great Hall reading while ~lava~ was doing her normal chores, dusting all the old armour around Castle MacLaaran.
I had almost dozed off, when I heard a crash and she came dashing out of the armoury screaming, "There's something in there, Kyle."
"Aye, a lot of weapons and old armour, " I laughed.
"Nooooo, it's a ghost….. I'm afraid!!" she replied.
"Hon, ye just bumped something in there. I heard the crash. I certainly hope ye dinnae break or dent anything of importance."
Those of Thee that know ~lava~ can picture the angry stare on her face. It damn near froze what was left of the ale in M' tankard. I got up and said, "Okay, kitten, let's have a look."
I kinda laughed as she cowered along behind me, mumbling something about why I should get out M' boot dagger. I entered the armoury and looked around. There are four suits of armour in there, one in each corner of the room. Sure enough, one of the helms was lying on the floor.
"There's yer ghost lass. That, no doubt was what caused the noise. A simple bump could have knocked that down." I picked it up, examined it and replaced it in it's proper spot.
"Kyle? I dinnae bump that. It was a ghost."
"Did you dust it?" I asked.
"Aye, a bit earlier and the strangest feeling enveloped me as I dusted the head. I swear it was like someone inside was watching me."
"Did he sneeze?" I laughed.
"Ye're mocking me, Kyle," and her eyes flashed in anger again.
"Well, where is this ghost now?" I replied, trying to refrain from chuckling.
"I don't know, but he's watching U/us, I can feel it."
I took both of her shoulders in M' hands, gave her a nice hug and advised her t' finish up and get dinner, reassuring her it was just an accident that the helm fell and scared her.
She said she was NOT doing anymore dusting today and hurried out of the room. I did take another look around and I guess those four suits of amour did look a tad eerie, possibly enough t' scare a lass.
The next occurrence happened a few days later. W/we had forgotten all about it, or at least I had. W/we were playing hide and seek wi' several others, when ~lava~ came screaming out of the armoury again. "IT's BACK!!!" she hollered and hid behind Me as if the devil himself was after her.
"What's after ye, kitten, " I asked.
"That armoury ghost, Kyle. I was looking behind the second suit of armour when that head came bouncing across the floor after me and he took a swipe at me wi' a sword." She was trembling, shaking like a leaf in the wind.
I hurried back there, this time wondering if the Prankster from Windstorm might have returned and thought it would be quite a joke t' scare the lassie half t' death.
There, laying on the floor at the doorway was one of the swords that normally hung above the door, and that same helm had rolled all the way across the room this time. I stood there and carefully surveyed the room. Nothing moved, a deathly calm seemed to fill the room, and it was cold, very cold.
"See? I told you something was after me," as she stood tight behind me.
For some reason, the chill disappeared. I replaced the helm on the suit of armour, and used a ladder to replace the sword over the door. What troubled Me the most was that none of the hooks that held the sword up seemed loose. Why had it fallen?
The next day I was there alone and decided to examine the armoury again. I entered the room, finding all of the armour suits properly in place and the swords nicely crossed over the door.
I was intently studying an old cutlass that Lord Marc brought back from the Crusades when I felt the chill. I shivered at the sudden cold air and looked around. It was then that the helm fell off with a crash and rolled across the floor.
So this was what had frightened my pet so much. I turned to look up at the crossed swords. I could not believe what I saw. The sword lifted from the wall and floated in space. Impossible!
I rubbed my eyes, hoping I was imagining this, but the sword continued to float. When I didn't leave, the sword approached, obviously menacing Me.
"You …. You're a ghost!!! ………. M' lassie was correct!!"
To M' utter amazement, he answered, but nae wi' a voice. The sword was set aside and words appeared on the old stone walls…..
More words replaced the first……
"What do Ye want? Why are Ye suddenly haunting MacLaaran?"
I stared at the stone wall as the words disappeared. No answer.
"How long will Ye be staying? We do need the use of Our armoury."
This time the room grew colder and the words screamed out!!!! ………
I knew that W/we couldn't allow this creature t' remain in the castle, but how should W/we deal with him …. or IT???
I informed M' kitten t' stay oot of the armoury until I could figure oot a way t' deal wi' this ghost… this monster.
There must be a way to actually see it. Then possibly two or three heavily armed men could deal wi' this creature.
After several hours of deep thought an idea struck Me. All the previous ghosts I had seen, were there, but invisible unless they chose t' be seen. For some reason this creature was hiding there in O/our armoury, probably in the suit of amour in the far corner o' the room, the one whose helm fell off when the ghost slipped oot.
I obtained the assistance of two very frightened guards and returned to the armoury, swords in hand. The helm had somehow been replaced, although I knew no one had been in there. But, this time the suit of armour had the sword. He was prepared!
The temperature fell rapidly when We entered. I motioned the two guards to spread out, one on either side of the suit of armour. As I had anticipated, the helm popped off and rolled to M' feet.
As planned, I opened the jar and tossed the grape juice that ~lava~ had stomped under her feet. Sure enough, the head appeared……
Per M' instructions, they dumped him off a cliff into the lake, still bound in the iron net. Is he gone forever?? Who knows, but fer now, MacLaaran can sleep in peace.
I wasn't exactly sure it was him the first time I felt his presence. I was in the Great Hall, felt that familiar chill and hushed lava to listen. I swear I heard a soft rough voice, "Ye cannae kill a ghost by drowning, Kyle, cause I'm already dead!"
I tried to brush that off as my imagination, hearing bodiless voices. Then cookie comes screaming out of the scullery looking for me. "Kyle! That ghost of yours just trashed the scullery store room!"
I tried to calm her down as I followed her into the scullery. "He's nae M' ghost. He's lava's," chuckling until I saw the writing on the wall in there. …
I left as quickly as possible, knowing nobody's safe when cookie's in that mood.
I saw seth in the Great Hall and started to warn him, but he dragged me up to the servants tower. Another message adorned the hall ……..
The search that day revealed no more messages or trashed areas. We posted extra guards that night, but I slept fitfully. I kept thinking if I could find the room that turned cold upon entry, possibly I might know where he hides during the day.
At two in the morning I thought I heard noises, like chains being dragged. I leaped up and the noises stopped. Was I dreaming?
I slipped on my trousers, a loose shirt, placed M' dagger in M' boot and began M' own private search. The guard in the hall was shaking in his boots. Yes, he had heard the chains dragging and passed along the alert t' the other guards.
Nobody had seen hide ner hair o' O/our ghost. I stood at the top o' the stairs, wondering where to start. An empty chambers made sense and I was about to head upstairs when I stopped and chuckled.
What room is ALWAYS empty? I walked down the hall and knocked softly on James' door. No answer of course. I was about t' use M' master key, when much t' M' surprise, the door creaked open. Had M' soft knock done that? Was it partially ajar when I knocked?
I wasn't sure of anything these days. I pressed the door open further. All over the floor were James' collection o' magazines. Yes, the ones wi' picture o' semi-clothed females. Was the ghost a rogue, too???
I would have t' ask James if he had left it like that in a drunken stupor the last time He slept here. Assuming He could remember.
That's when the room suddenly grew colder!! I knew, and removed the dagger from M' boot. He was here ----- right in the room wi' Me. I heard the soft chuckle, but saw nothing. I felt a tap on M' shoulder and turned rapidly, dagger on the ready. There on James wall, still wet and dripping was the message ….
I heard the chuckle again behind Me and turned. Again nothing. Then the room seemed t' warm and the door closed wi' a click.
I burst out, hoping he had not gone after lava. The guard was still shaking, but said he saw nothing. Just a sudden chill had swept past. He thought the wind might have blown through a window at the end of the hall.
Racing into O/our chambers, I found lava still sound asleep, one naked foot hanging out of the sheets, her normal pose. There was no chill so I knew he wasn't there.
The next morning W/we held a little meeting, discussing the previous evening. No one else had seen him, but several claimed they had awakened t' find their chambers extremely cold. Little items were missing. A pair o' silk panties in a Lady's room. A scarf in another. Always female attire.
Did he steal these to further harass us? Like the items in the dungeon? Or was there a deeper hidden meaning here. Why those dirty magazines?
I asked lava to carefully look threw her drawers. (Not those drawers, guys, the ones where she keeps her dainties) Sure enough, several items, that would make her blush if I described them in detail, were missing.
Obviously, W/we are dealing wi' a ghost wi' a fetish. Or Sir Tris has been here late at night again.
W/we need a plan. It was lava that suggested a séance. she had learned how to conduct a séance from her old granny. A way to reach this ghost and possibly speak wi' him. Not wi' swords in hand as I had, which obviously angered him, but a way t' communicate ---- find out why he is even here.
Sooooo, ----- How many here are willing t' sit wi' lava and I and try? Dinnae E/everybody raise Y/yer hands at once.
I feared it might be the Armoury Ghost again, yet the room wasn't the same icy cold that always accompanied O/our nasty armoury friend. Instead, it was a soft chill.
I hurriedly got up out o' bed and slipped on M' trousers. It was then that She appeared…. Lady Angelica Gaspard, the ghost from Gaspard Castle……
She smiled… "Sorry, I didn't mean t' startle Ye, M'Lord."
"I felt a chill and feared it was a much different ghost. What are Ye doing here in MacLaaran?" I asked.
"I'm here t' return the favor. Ye and Ye're lassie there, helped Me when I needed help." … She was pointing at lava still sound asleep wi' that smile on her face. "Does she always sleep wi' one foot out from under the covers?"
"Aye," I replied wi' a grin, "But what trouble are Ye referring too?"
"The other ghost Ye just mentioned." she grinned.
I know I looked confused. "How did Ye know about O/our Armoury Ghost?"
"Kyle, Kyle, Kyle!!…. Are Ye still unable t' believe in the supernatural?" that little chuckle deep in Her throat woke up M' pet.
lava sat up, rubbing her eyes in disbelief…. "Lady Angelica??"
Angelica smiled and nodded yes… "I came t' help, lassie."
"Relax, kitten." I said and led them both into the front room and stoked up the fire a bit. "Make U/us some tea, babe, please."……
"Not fer Me, Kyle. Thanks, but in this form, I cannae really drink." Angelica smiled.
"Why are Ye back in the ghost form?" lava asked, as she padded around barefoot and naked. she placed the kettle o'er the fire and curled up on the sofa wi' Me t' listen. After over four years, I still love watching lava move about naked like that.
Angelica sat down on the chair, her motions more like floating than a normal human being. "It was the fastest and easiest way t' get here, lava, besides, in this form I can best deal wi' the ghost that's bothering Y/ye both."
I thought a bit and finally asked, "How do Ye think Ye can help?"
"I'll find the ghost and communicate wi' him," She replied simply.
"I've tried that. Trust Me, he isn't interested in communicating,"
Angelica just smiled, "That's because Ye aren't trying on his level. He'll talk t' Me. He shows up around midnight, correct?"
"Yep."… I glanced at the hourglass. "That's one hour away."
lava got up and made U/us both tea as W/we talked. The fire had warmed and brightened the room. W/we talked as W/we waited fer the last grains o' sand t' drop in the lower half o' the hourglass.
Even as a ghost, Angelica tucked Her legs under Her on the chair. "So, how are Lord Gray and O/our Laird o' the Mist doing these days? No doubt they're as concerned as Ye are about this seemingly unfriendly ghost."
"Seemingly?" I scoffed. "Trust Me, the Armoury Ghost is nae friendly. James is missing Lady Payton, Who has been traveling quite a bit. Pate has initiated a new little business and is also caring fer a sick friend in a nearby village."
"James still patrols and guards the MacLaaran forest. Lord Gray has joined the MacLaaran Council and keeps an eye on things in the castle. I've considered offering Gray the post o' Captain o' the Guard."
"I see," Angelica replied. "I noticed that the amount of people here is continuing t' grow. Obviously, T/they are not afraid of the new ghost."
"There are concerns, of course, but most castles have ghosts.." I motioned fer lava t' refill M' tea mug.
lava hopped up and spoke as she scurried aboot, "We have several new servants and that is making life much easier fer me."
"It keeps cookie off M' arse, too," I laughed.
"Aye, Rita MacLean is as valuable as seth here, no doubt. I see Lady Rayven has returned. Does She still come up wi' new ideas fer games?"
"That she does," I laughed, "Rayven is a restless soul. She needs constant activity."
Angelica pointed t' the hourglass where the last grains o' sand fell and the glass turned o'er. "It's time. Please remain here and let Me seek out Yer ghost." She effortlessly floated up into a standing position.
"Ye dinnae want Me t' go wi' Ye?" I asked.
"Ye have already angered the Armoury Ghost. It might be better if I handled this alone first." And she just walked out through the door wi' out opening it.
When she returned before dawn, she described the following events.
Angelica headed straight down t' the castle dungeon, the place the ghost seemed t' favor after the disruptions in the armoury, his initial haunt. There were only four torches lit in the dungeon, two sconces on each side wall.. ……..
Of course the dungeon was empty. Since the ghost was living there, not many ventured there after midnight. Being left overnight in the stocks was a scary situation these days, so people were following the castle rules.
She was only in the dungeon for a few minutes when the Armoury Ghost appeared…..
"Guid evening," Angelica said wi' a soft smile."
"Guid evening, pretty Lady," he replied. "I don't believe I've seen Ye here before." His eyes feasted on Her body, surveying Her faded image from head t' toe.
"I'm just visiting," She answered, "I'm Angelica Gaspard. Who are Thee?"
"Hmmmm?" He seemed worried about identifying himself, his eyes questioningly fixed now on Hers.
She pretended not to notice, walking o'er and leaning on the leather horse. He followed Her, thoughts racing through his mind of Her on that horse, wondering if a Lady like Her had even a clue of what the device was for, what joys it could produce under the proper direction.
Angelica feigned complete innocence, returning his little smile. When he moved closer…. so close she could feel his hot breath, She placed a hand on his bony chest. "I think not, sir. At least not while ye hide in that nasty form."
He stood there measuring Her ghostly form. "And if I show myself? Would that reduce Ye're resistance?"
"It might, though there are ne'er any guarantees in life. Ye might be just as ugly in true form." There was a twinkle in Her eye.
He hesitated, but the hunger inside overcame his resistance. It had been so long since he had been able to touch a woman. He made the decision quickly and the skeleton form faded away and was replaced by his true being…….
In spite of his unkempt appearance, Angelica could see a handsome man and She felt the heat in Her loins that She thought had been gone forever.
She touched him, felt the rope burns about his neck. "They hung ye, didn't They."
"It's a long, sad tale, M'Lady, one that I choose not t' repeat." and he pressed Her against the horse as his lips found Hers…. She offered little resistance… and soon found Herself straddling the horse as he had his way wi' Her.
She spent the rest of that night wi' him in one of the empty chambers high in the castle. He taught Her things She had missed in Her short life. The life that had been destroyed by Lord Gaspard, the husband Her father had foisted upon Her years ago.
Angelica slipped away before dawn, and returned t' O/our chambers t' find Me asleep in M' chair wi' lava cuddled in M' lap. She woke U/us both gently and while lava prepared more tea, She gave Me a short synopsis o' the nights happenings. I didn't know a ghost could blush, but Her cheeks took on a rosy glow when she admitted what had happened in only limited detail.
"An outlaw then? Someone that W/we hung here in MacLaaran?" I queried Her.
"Aye, I believe so, although he refused t' discuss the cause," She said.
"So how do W/we rid O/ourselves o' this pain in the arse?"
"I have only one suggestion." Her face taking on another blush. "Send him to Me."
I couldn't help from chuckling at how much she must have enjoyed Her evening. "Why didn't Ye just take him wi' Ye?"
"It's not that simple, Kyle. Ye must find a way t' reach him, speak wi' him, get him t' reveal himself and hopefully beg Ye're forgiveness fer his crimes. Only then will he be free t' travel. If Ye can do that, I will return and take him away."
It was lava that spoke next, "a séance, Angelica? W/we discussed that option before but ne'er tried it"
"Aye, a séance might work, if ye know how t' do that." She replied.
"my granny once allowed me t' attend a séance. a frightening experience, t' say the least. she gave me a locket t' wear, should I ever incur the need." lava muttered.
"It's worth a try….. IF, Y/ye can find a small group willing t' attend a séance. I wish ye good luck there, lassie, yer man there is not a believer and has already angered this ghost."
I was annoyed, t' say the least at the inference that I had irritated this monster, this ghost, but I held M' tongue.
Angelica thought fer a bit, then asked, "Was it Thee that the ghost first appeared to, Kyle?"
lava answered the question, "Nooooo, it was me… I was dusting in the armoury when he first appeared."
"Then it was thee he was reaching out for. Whoever he was, he must have had a reason t' let ye feel his presence first. Do ye have a clue who that might be, lassie?" Angelica questioned.
Angelica caught a glimpse o' the rising sun and said She had t' leave immediately, and just disappeared.
I could tell lava had no clue. There were many men that had feasted their eyes on lava, desiring her, both Lairds and common folk. The only hope was t' draw him out. A thought struck terror in M' mind, when I suddenly had a clue. An idea that would also explain why this ghost hated Me.
Stifling the thought, I agreed that W/we should proceed, conduct the séance, and find out once and fer all, who this monster might really be. W/we will be conducting the séance next Thursday evening, if possible. Will those willing t' join U/us please raise Y/yer hand?