And proud, he was.
When the meal was finished, Tenner kissed his wife and thanked her for the meal. By this time, the heavy fog had rolled in from the sea, creating a thick soup outside, so Tenner gathered his men and they headed into the fog, moving for their posts. Fifty men were left inside the hall, guarding both entrances, but Annalyla and Maude remained by the fire, eating what was left after Tenner and Arlo had eaten their fill. When the food was finished off, the women bedded down by the fire. It was warm and cozy, even though they were sleeping on the hard-packed earth.
But for Annalyla, it didn’t matter. She was home now, in that dark and crumbling castle by the sea. The meal and the warm fire had soothed any eeriness she had about the place, and she was looking forward to the morning and seeing the entire building for herself. Things, for the moment, were pleasant, and she was quite weary from the journey. Just as she began to close her eyes and settle down for sleep, a mournful wail could be heard over the castle grounds, something that seemed to sweep from one side to the other. They could hear it moving from the north to the south, only to fade away into the fog as if drifting off to sea.
For a moment, no one moved. Perhaps it was fear that kept them still, or perhaps it was shock. In any case, no one dared more for a moment until Annalyla’s head slowly lifted.
“What… what was that?” she whispered.
Maude sat up beside her, looking to the main entry where the soldiers seemed to be on edge. “I do not know,” she said, feeling some of that fear that Annalyla had been feeling about the place since nearly the beginning. “But do not worry, Annie. We are well protected. The soldiers will not allow us to be harmed. Go to sleep now.”
Annalyla wasn’t sure she could, but she lay back down again, with Maude’s hand on her shoulder. Together, they lay there, each of them pretending to sleep but unable to do so. The cry they’d all heard had been unsettling at best.
Perhaps it had been the ghost of Baiadepaura they’d all heard tale of.
Perhaps the rumors had, in fact, been true.
It was a terrifying thought. When Annalyla finally drifted off, it was with dreams of wicked lords and crumbling castles.
CHAPTER NINE
10 miles north of Widemouth Bay
The Bleeding Saint Inn, the village of St. Morwenna
“By all the Gods, the mist is thick this night.”
It was a decidedly Scottish accent that filled the stale air of the stale inn, a tavern packed with bodies, with people who had come in out of the foul weather seeking shelter and a bit of warmth against the fog that had descended on this night.
But there was no warmth to be found.
As crowded as it was, more men were coming in, looking for any corner to hide in as if fleeing from the mist that had cloaked the land, clinging to everything in the wake of a rainstorm that had blown off to the east.
Following the dregs and street urchins, men clad in leather and woolens, with weapons and the smell of the sea about them, entered the inn and commandeered a table near the door, isolating themselves from the rest of the population of the inn.
These men had come with a purpose.
The first purpose was to drink and, perhaps, find a warm meal. Their vessel, the Beast of the Seas, was part of the greater pirate faction of Scottish pirates. Based on the Isle of Scarba in the Highlands of Scotland, they roamed the western coasts of Scotland, Ireland, and England, and often ventured to the eastern coast of Ireland if they were feeling particularly aggressive. They took what they wanted, claimed without fear, and dared men to challenge them.
Such was their nature.
For the past three years, the Cornwall coast had been their feeding ground. From St. Ives all the way north to Barnstaple, they’d claimed that particular stretch of coast as their own and woe betide the ships that passed through their domain. The Beast of the Seas was a fast ship, a modified cog stolen from the hated French pirates, and it could easily overtake the slower merchant cogs that traveled south and around the tip of Cornwall on their journey eastward.
But for their pirating purposes, they also needed land bases, coves, and beaches that they could secure the ship in while waiting for their prey. They had such a place just north of St. Ives and then another one further up the coast at Holywell, where there was a massive sea cave that, at low tide, they could use to completely shield the ship. They had to be careful near Tintagel Castle because the Earl of Cornwall kept troops there, troops who had a ship of their own to sail out and intercept the pirates if they had a mind to, which they sometimes did.
Therefore, Tintagel was mostly avoided, but further north was the hulking shell of Baiadepaura Castle that had both a secluded beach and a land-based structure in the abandoned castle itself, where the pirates could gather more men or hide their ill-gotten gains. They’d been using Baiadepaura for the past three years and had taken great pride in it. But tonight, that had changed.
The abandoned castle was no longer abandoned.
There had been lights in the windows of the keep, shining out to sea, as the pirates had noticed whilst sailing north. Worse still, there were men all around the place, from what they had seen. It had been difficult to see much considering the storm and the decreased visibility, but with his spyglass, Captain Raleigh “Leigh” MacBeth had seen the lights and the dark figures that represented men. Somehow, someway, the legend of Baiadepaura failed to keep away some brave souls who had foolishly thought to inhabit what the pirates claimed as their own.
But that would be their undoing.
“I wouldna worry about the mist,” Raleigh spoke to the man who had lamented about the fog. “We have bigger issues than that, laddie.”
The heads around the table bobbed to varying degrees as his men agreed with him. There were eight men around the table total, with the rest of the crew remaining on the Beast of the Seas because someone had to man the ship and remain vigilant to anything happening upon the stormy sea this night.
Therefore, the men that had come to the inn were the heart of the command crew, hardened men who could kill as easily as breathe, steal as easily as smile. It was all second nature to them, for life upon the seas was brutal as well as difficult. It could age a man before his time. Raleigh looked around the table at his assorted crew of misfits.
“So the Bay of Fear is no longer empty,” he said after a moment. “I must say that I’m surprised tae see that. I thought no one but a madman would go near that terrible place.”
His men chuckled, just a little. “We have,” one of the men said, an older sea dog with a weathered face. “’Twas a perfect nest for us scavengers.”
More low laughter. “Ye said no one wanted it,” another man said. “Ye said it was a wicked place, too wicked for reasonable men.”
Raleigh lifted his shoulders. “It belongs tae someone,” he said. “The Earl of Cornwall, I last heard, but he keeps no men there. Even he knows of the evil of that place.”
“Then he’s changed his mind,” the same man said. “Now, there are men there, men who have undoubtedly seen evidence that someone else has been living there.”
“But we’ve left nothing behind.” A third man spoke up, the same man who had commented on the mist when they’d first entered the inn. “We moved what booty we kept there a few days ago. There’s nothing left.”
Raleigh turned to the man. Alastair MacMurdoc was a good man and an even better pirate, but he tended to complain like an old woman at times.
“Nay, there’s nothing left,” Raleigh agreed. “But Baiadepaura has been vacant for years. We claimed it three years ago and since that time, it has belonged only tae us. I want it back.”
A serving wench with a red nose and a wet cough brought a pitcher of ale, a pitcher of wine, and cups, setting them on the table as the men swooped in on the alcohol. They were thirsty. She eyed Alastair because she knew the man, and she was hoping for a bit of fun from him, but he shoved her away. He had no time for the runny-nosed wench this night. He w
as far more concerned with Raleigh’s statement.
“We dunna know how many men are there,” he said after the wench left. “We dunna know if ’tis the Earl of Cornwall, and if he’s brought his whole army.”
That wasn’t what Raleigh wanted to hear. He couldn’t stomach the tone of defeat already in Alastair’s voice.
“I’ll not tolerate yer cowardice, Alastair,” he growled. “We need Baiadepaura. The place has been vacant for three long years and do ye know why? Because of the ghost that roams the place. We’ve all seen it.”
Pirates were a superstitious bunch. It seemed odd that they would inhabit a haunted castle. But the truth was that they tolerated it because, for their purposes, the location was perfect. Men would stay away from Baiadepaura because of the legend, allowing them to conduct their illicit business.
Still, at the mention of the ghost, they eyed each other, nodding as if fearful to even admit such a thing. Admitting it was acknowledging that they’d all seen a curse in action, and no one wanted to do that.
Curses could kill.
“Aye, we’ve seen it,” Alastair said. “We’ve seen it and we’ve run from it. I dunna know one man here who hasna run from it. Few of us will stay in the keep after dark, Leigh.”
Raleigh pointed a finger at him. “Exactly,” he said. “And the men at Baiadepaura now will see that ghost and they will run. But we canna wait for that tae happen.”
“What do ye mean?”
Raleigh downed the warmed, cheap wine in his cup. “Baiadepaura has a ghost,” he said. “We know that. But mayhap, we give the ghost a little help by becoming ghosts ourselves. What man can stay at a place that is full of a company of ghosts?”
Alastair looked at him with doubt. “So we pretend we are phantoms and chase them away?”
Raleigh nodded vigorously. “The sooner the better. Ye know the fat merchant vessel from Plymouth is due in these waters in the next few days, the one that comes this time every year headed for Dublin. We need Baiadepaura if we are tae take the ship and her goods.”
Alastair thought it was a rather ridiculous plan – pretending to be ghosts. He sat forward, his eyes glittering in the weak light of the inn.
“I have a better idea,” he said. “Old Mawgwen lives in Bude. Ye remember the woman. She works at The Sea and The Siren, the tavern near the edge of town.”
“The old wench who tells the fortunes?”
“The same,” Alastair continued. “Ye know her people have lived and worked at Baiadepaura for centuries back. If anyone knows of the place, ’tis her. We could send her tae Baiadepaura with her terrible tales and they couldna ignore a woman whose family is part of the legend of the castle. If she tells them tae leave, then mayhap they’d listen tae her.”
“And if they dunna?”
He shrugged. “Then we know Baiadepaura. We know how tae get in and out of the place. If there is an army at Baiadepaura, then there are commanders. If old Mawgwen canna force them tae leave with her stories, then we kill the commanders. What men are left will surely flee. Blame that on the ghosts, and the truth of Mawgwen’s tales, but I say we take that action instead of pretending tae be phantoms.”
Raleigh had poured himself more wine and was in the process of downing the second cup. “Ye could be right, laddie,” he said, licking his lips. “Let old Mawgwen give it a try. If it doesna work, then a few of us will go in and remove those in command. A headless army will be helpless, especially if they believe the curse of Baiadepaura is responsible for the deaths. ’Twill be the curse in action for all they know.”
“When do ye think tae move on Baiadepaura?”
Raleigh continued smacking his lips of the bitter wine. “Tomorrow night,” he said firmly. “We can sail back down the coast tae Bude and tell Mawgwen we have a task for her. Then, we continue down the coast tae Crackington Cove, south of Baiadepaura, where we can hide the ship. We’ll travel on foot tae the castle and watch. If we see the army leaving by nightfall, then we wait for them tae leave. But if they dunna leave…”
“Then we take matters intae our own hands.”
The more the men around the table drank, the more Raleigh’s plan seemed to make some sense. They were incensed that the ruins of Baiadepaura had been invaded, because the place had been a perfect base for the thievery on the high seas. As they began to mutter amongst themselves, in agreement with Raleigh’s plans, Alastair turned to his captain.
“’Tis the right idea tae bring the curse tae life,” he said, lowering his voice.
Raleigh’s dark eyes glittered. “If the real phantom doesna chase them away first. One can always hope.”
Alastair wasn’t hard pressed to agree. He poured himself more wine. “But one canna summon the Devil of Baiadepaura,” he said. “The Devil appears when he wishes. We canna depend upon it.”
Raleigh nodded. “Which is why we’re going tae give the ghost some help,” he said, lifting his cup to his second in command. “Here’s tae regaining Baiadepaura. I want my castle back.”
Alastair lifted his cup in return. “Here’s tae the curse that all men fear.”
Raleigh cocked a bushy red eyebrow. “If the men that occupy Baiadepaura dunna fear it yet, by tomorrow night, they will. I promise ye.”
Alastair had no doubt. What Raleigh MacBeth wanted, Raleigh MacBeth got.
Tomorrow night, he would have it.
CHAPTER TEN
Baiadepaura Castle
Annalyla awoke to someone gently shaking her.
“Annalyla?” came the soft whisper. “Wake up, sweetheart.”
Annalyla resisted. She could hear the voice, a soft male voice, but she ignored it. She was so exhausted that she simply couldn’t open her eyes, but then she heard a female voice in her other ear.
“Annie, wake up. The day is new and we have much work to do. Get up!”
Annalyla’s eyes flew open at the sound of Maude’s stern voice. When she saw both Tenner and Maude looking down at her, she sat up so quickly that she nearly hit Tenner in the jaw. He laughed softly as she struggled to catch her balance.
“Easy, lass,” he said, his hands on her shoulders to steady her. “There is nothing to panic over. You were sleeping so peacefully that we did not want to wake you, but it was necessary. I am afraid that it is our first day in our new home and I need your assistance.”
Annalyla stifled a yawn. “I am honored to assist you,” she said. “What can I do?”
Tenner was snorting at her, half-asleep even though she pretended not to be. She was blinking her eyes, pretending to be instantly wide awake. But he could tell she wasn’t. He cupped her face between his big palms and kissed her on the forehead.
“You can help me assess the keep once you have fully awakened,” he said. “Unless you plan to sleep in the great hall forever, then I suggest we find chambers that please you. Maude will see to the morning meal if you will accompany me.”
Annalyla stifled another yawn, but she nodded her head. “I would be happy to,” she said. “May I at least comb my hair first?”
Tenner was smiling at her as he stood up. “Of course, you may,” he said. “Your baggage has been brought in. May I bring you what you need?”
It was a sweet offer and his eyes were twinkling at her as he said it. Annalyla gazed up at him, her heart never fuller than it was at that moment. Every day saw the man grow more attentive and, perhaps, even kinder, if such a thing was possible. But as she looked at him, she realized that he looked rather exhausted. His hair was hanging over the right side of his face as it always did, exposing the left eye, which had a dark circle beneath it.
“Did you sleep at all last night, Tenner?” she asked. “You look weary.”
The smile never left his face. “I took the night watch, along with every man here,” he said. “Our first night in a place with no walls and no gates, I could not sleep. But I am glad you did. That means I did my job; you felt safe enough to sleep.”
Annalyla nodded her head, smiling gratefully at Ma
ude when the woman handed her a cup of warmed, watered wine.
“You have done so much while I slept the morning away,” she said, looking between Maude and Tenner. “I am ashamed I slept through everything.”
As Tenner headed for the baggage that had been stacked against a dry wall, Maude took charge of Annalyla’s hair, which was sticking up like straw.
“You were very tired,” Maude said. “You have been traveling far more than the rest of us, since you came all the way from the north. You have earned a good rest. I am sorry I had to wake you when I did.”
Annalyla reached back to pat at the woman’s hand in a gesture of thanks, of perhaps comfort, as Maude proceeded to unbraid her messy hair. As Annalyla sipped at her warmed wine, Maude dug around in the satchel that Tenner brought over and found a comb. She proceeded to comb out Annalyla’s blonde hair and re-braid it securely.
All the while, Annalyla sipped at her wine, trying to wake up, and watched Tenner as the man moved around the hall, speaking to some of the soldiers, and speaking to Graham and Arlo, who had come in and out of the smaller servant door to the south. They all looked weary, having been up all night, but she couldn’t take her eyes off of Tenner.
Tall, strong, proud…
There wasn’t anything about the man that was imperfect, from the top of his dark head to the bottom of his big feet. He handled men with ease, with a quiet confidence that was both reassuring and respectful. Maude was tugging on her hair, and she was sipping the hot wine, which burned her tongue, but none of that even registered with her. All that mattered was the knight with the shoulder-length hair, hanging down over the right side of his face.
It occurred to Annalyla that she didn’t like the fact that he was covering up that handsome face. He let his hair fall over his dual-colored eye and she was coming to realize that he did it on purpose; he’d been doing it since the moment they’d met. When he finished speaking to Arlo and sent the man on his way, she caught his attention and crooked a finger at him. The smile returned to his lips as he headed in her direction.
Bay of Fear (Battle Lords of de Velt Book 3) Page 11