A Ghost Story By Sir Kyle and lava
Kyle
lava and I were on Our way North, having only stopped for a reassuring kiss on the path
lava
Kyle had sold the horse to provide enough gold for food and shelter, but we were down to the last of our coins. We had been traveling by foot except when a friendly farmer was kind enough to allow us to ride in his wagon.
Kyle
Then the storm struck. Lightning, thunder and hard rain in the heavy winds drove Us to search for cover
lava
It was soooo frightening, but Kyle kept urging me along at his side. The lightning seemed to be striking everywhere, a tree suddenly landing right across the path we were following.
Kyle
That's when I saw the castle on the ridge, highlighted by the lightning. We climbed over the downed tree and ran the final hundred yards to the dilapidated draw bridge. We avoided the holes in the rotted planks, and made Our way to the huge wooden doors. I was surprised that it opened so easily when I pushed the left door ..
lava
At least we were inside and out of the storm. It was pitch black, except when the lightning flashed. During those moments we could see the dust filled furnishings and cobwebs everywhere.
Kyle
I removed a torch from the wall and used the flint I carried to light it. We began examining what we had found. The castle was obviously vacant, a perfect place for Us to spend a little time to rest and recover from Our difficult journey North. There appeared to be plenty of fire wood near the fireplace, but I doubted that there was any unspoiled food in the scullery.
lava
As Kyle lit the fire, I examined the scullery and storage rooms. Kyle was right. Everything was either empty or decayed. The cool room held no ice and was warm and useless.
Kyle
Using one of the torches, I managed to force the door to the wine cellar open and swept the cobwebs aside as I headed down to see what might be left. Sure enough the wine racks were half full. Whoever had been here had left in a hurry. I selected a few bottles and hurried back upstairs, out of the gloomy and eerie cellar.
lava
When Kyle returned with the wine, I found some glasses and prepared a small supper, using what little we had left in our packs. We removed our wet clothing and sat by the fire warming up and enjoying the sparse meal. There was something both exciting and dangerous about being naked in an eerie place like this.
Kyle
After supper I snuffed off the torches and added another log to the fire. We huddled in the warm furs there and truly enjoyed each other for the first time in weeks. As we drifted off to sleep, I was already making plans for a short stay here. I had heard of the small village nearby and on the next day planned a visit to see if there was any work to be had.
lava
The sound of chains dragging woke me. I tried not to even move. The second time I heard them I nudged Kyle with my elbow *whispering* "Did you hear that?"
Kyle
I woke up with a start, feeling the sharp elbow in my chest. Before I could answer her, I heard the chains too. . "Stay still!" . Sitting up and looking around in the now barely lit room. There was nothing in sight. I tried to orient myself and determine where the sounds were coming from, wishing I had taken the time last night to examine the upper floors.
lava
Shivering . but remaining still as my Master had commanded . Then hearing that terrible dragging sound again.
Kyle
Rising, I slipped into My trousers, planning on getting My sword and going upstairs to look. As I headed for a torch from the wall, I heard lava scream.
lava
"KYLE!!!!" .. and I saw this dark sinister shape appear .
Kyle
I turned and stared . watching this .this THING .. approach lava.
lava
I tried to get up and run, but his hand seemed to grab my arm . It felt icy cold and I screamed again.
Kyle
I charged back, grabbed lava's arm and dragged her away from the creature. He seemed startled. There was a vicious growl, then he backed away .. into the dark away from the fire, and just vanished!
lava
Shivering I clung to Kyle, trying to push him away from this ghost.
Kyle
lava would not set me free, and by the time I had her calmed down, he or "it" was no where to be found . I tried to convince her it was not a ghost a man in a dark cloak that ran when he realized she was not alone.
lava
I knew different . That hand was like ice, not human at all. But, you know our brave, logical, stubborn men .*rolling my eyes*
Kyle
I spent the next hour, searching for secret passages that all these old castles have, but to no avail. lava clung to me as I insisted on searching the second floor. All empty, dusty, cobweb filled rooms. The sun rose as we searched the castle and we headed off for the nearby village.
lava
I kept saying we were not going back there, but Kyle insisted we would not give up that easy. He led us to a tavern in the village and we spent a few of our meager coppers for a meal, ale, and some supplies for the castle.
Kyle
As we ate, I asked the tavern lass what she knew about the castle. She shuddered, said there be ghosts there, Sir.
lava
Hearing the girls frightened response, I again pleaded with Kyle that we just move on.
Kyle
I got up and approached the tavern owner, a short, stocky man with beady eyes. His answers were even worse. Apparently the Lord that owned Gaspard Castle, had gone insane, mumbling about ghosts and attacked one of his servants in the night, thinking she was a ghost. The remaining servants claimed they had to kill him in self defense. He said that he, and other towns people, had returned the next day, found the body of the attacked servant, but never found the body of Lord Gaspard. Ever since, the few that had been brave enough to go there after dark, had all returned panic stricken, claiming to have seen his ghost.
lava
I said that we had seen the ghost, but Kyle again said it was a person just scaring people off. The tavern owner sneered, wishing Kyle good luck.
Kyle
In spite of lava's objections, I insisted that we return. It was still daylight and I began searching the hall in detail, lava clinging to My arm and refusing to even think about dinner.
lava
There was no way I was going to be anywhere alone in this eerie place.
Kyle
Then I found it a spot just to the left of the fireplace. The stones and mortar just did not quite match. I pressed on several stones and suddenly the wall moved, opening to a secret passage way. Using a torch, I led the way into a small room. There on the floor were the remains of a body, only a skeleton wrapped in a black robe. I carted the remains out back to the castle's cemetery and buried what was left of Lord Gaspard.
lava
We stayed that night, in spite of my fears, but there was no more ghost. Kyle still insists it was a man, but he will never convince me. Burying that poor man must have finally put his soul to rest.
Kyle
With fresh supplies We moved on the next day. There was no convincing my pet that Castle Gaspard would ever be safe. What was there, that had driven Lord Gaspard insane? I guess no one will ever know.
Kyle *taking your still shaking hand, I lead you back to My leather chair, turning the floor over to Our next story teller*