Page 65 of Highland Spirit

“He’s been here all the time,” said Ethan. “My guess is that he’s been scarin’ everyone away because he is guardin’ the treasure.”

“Yer guess is right,” said Murdock, taking a step closer. “I’ve been livin’ in secret, Alana, since ye all claimed my castle as yers. There are many hidden passageways at Blackbriar. I’ve seen to it for a fast escape if I ever needed it.”

“But I dinna understand,” said Alana. “My mathair and uncle died to protect a treasure. Surely, it is more than just a few dozen scrolls?”

“The Templar treasure was split up, and hidden in many parts of several countries to keep it safe,” explained the man. “Alana, ye dinna ken me, but yer great-grandfaither and mine were once guid friends, and also of the Knights Templar.”

“What?” she asked in surprise. “But I thought they couldna have families.”

“No’ everythin’ is always as it seems,” he answered, keeping an eye on Ethan, as they both kept their swords raised.

“Ye see, it was up to our families to protect this part of the treasure. It was only supposed to stay here until another guardian came to get it. But as of yet, no one has ever come.”

“I am no’ surprised,” said Ethan looking back at the box of scrolls. “I wouldna come for a few scrolls either. Are ye sure there is no’ a box of silver or gold somewhere?”

“No’ here,” said Murdock. “And those scrolls are more valuable than ye think.”

“What’s on them?” asked Ethan. “The location of the rest of the treasure?”

“Nay,” said Murdock with a chuckle. “It is solely religious and no’ even in a language most of ye can read.”

“Then what guid is this?” asked Ethan. “And why did ye kill yer wife over it?”

“I didna kill her!” shouted the man, making Alana jump.

“What about her ghost?” asked Alana. “Is that even real?”

“It is,” he said with a nod, getting very choked up.

“It’s said she wants vengeance on ye and that she walks the battlements and screams because she wants ye dead,” said Ethan.

“Nay! That’s no’ true. She stays earthbound to protect me instead.”

“I dinna understand,” said Alana. “Why?”

“Because, someone came long ago to steal the treasure. She, just like yer family, Alana, died protectin’ it. Actually, she died protectin’ me. She jumped in front of a blade that was meant for me.”

“Really,” said Ethan. “What happened to the attacker?”

“There were more than one and I killed them all,” said Murdock, getting a crazed look in his eyes.

“I willna let ye harm Alana and her family,” snarled Ethan, once again wanting to take off the man’s head.

“I dinna plan to. That is, unless ye try to take the treasure from me.”

“We dinna want it,” spat Ethan. “Take yer fool treasure and leave us alone.”

“Aye, ye should have it,” said Alana, closing up the box and putting the key on top of it. “Please take it and guard it. We mean no harm. We dinna want the treasure.”

“Well I do,” came a gruff voice from the door.

Alana’s head snapped up to Diarmad standing at the door with a half-dozen of his men right behind them. They were all armed and ready to fight.

“Diarmad,” she cried. “Ye canna have this. It isna yers. It belongs to the Knights Templar.”

“Step away from the box, Alana, or I swear I’ll strike ye down dead,” snarled Diarmad.

“Ye’ll never have this treasure,” shouted Murdock, swinging his sword at Diarmad. But Murdock was very old, and Alana wasn’t even sure he had the strength in him to fight.