Realm of the Rogues

Chapter LXXII

We walk downstairs and look out the open front door. Farlan is standing in front of the driver-side door to a big off-roader, not too different from the one we were brought here in. He waves us over, and as soon as we step outside, the door is closed behind us - probably by the maids. Isobel walks around the car to the passenger side door, and I jump in the back. Dom is sitting in the middle of the seat between Alasdair and I. It's a good thing that the car is so big, else we would be smushed by the size of Alasdair.

Farlan turns on the car, and in that moment, the gates in the outer wall to the caste are being pulled open, for us to drive through.

"You all seated?" Farlan asks while looking back at us through the rearview mirror. Dom nods in return, and then the car sets into motion. 

I sit and look excitedly out the window at all the trees and greenery. It truly is a magnificent country.

"Why did you ever leave?" I ask, turning to Dom, who looks a bit surprised and amused at my sudden question.

"I got bored. I wanted to see more of the world," he answers, and I nod contemplatively before returning my gaze to the outside. 

"How long is the drive?" I then ask, not directing my question to anyone in particular.

"It's going to be about two and a half hours," Isobel replies, and I look over at her with raised eyebrows. How come every drive we make is at least an hour? Why can't everything just be a five-minute drive away? I ask myself and then roll my eyes.

"Might as well get comfy then," I remark with a sigh, and then rest my head up against the window, enjoying the small vibrations, that soon lull me off to sleep.

I wake later as Dom gently slaps my thigh twice. 

"We're here," he mumbles into my ear, and I smile as I stretch as much as the seat allows me to. I rub my eyes and look out the window, to see us pulling into a parking lot.

"Alright ladies and gents, let's find Harris," Farlan says in an energized and motivational voice, before hopping out the door. I open my door and follow his lead. The sun sits right behind the ruins of Urquhart Castle, making it stand out in stark shapes and jots. I imagine it must have been grand and beautiful in its time - but maybe not as great as Farlan and Isobel's residence, Braemar Castle. 

"Alright, gather round," Dom says in a loud voice, gathering our attention.

"Here's the plan: Farlan, Athena and I will scout around the ruins for signs of Harris, Slayer or the rest of his gang. Isobel and Alasdair will ask the tourists if they might know anything." We all nod in agreement to this plan, ready to fulfil our roles.

We walk in unison from the parking lot and towards the castle ruins. A few groups of tourists are scattered around the grounds - some walking around while others are taking pictures and selfies. Isobel and Alasdair detach from our group and wordlessly agree on who is going to approach which tourists. 

"You go around from the right, I go from the left, while you, Farlan, approach head-on. Let's meet in the middle," Dom commands, pointing out where to go, and we comply just as naturally as Isobel and Alasdair.

We all seem to understand to not arouse suspicion, so we walk over a long bridge, which lets us cross a stream underneath. I follow the path walking under what must have been the main entrance once. Now it looks crumbled and forgotten. Next, I follow the path leading right, scanning the ground for any signs of anything. I'm not quite sure what to look for, but I guess it will stand out to me if something is worth noting.

I quickly realize that the path has been made after the ruining of the castle, so I decide to focus my attention elsewhere, since I doubt I will gather any information from looking at the pristine walking stones.

I look around to find myself in a large open area with grass around me. I imagine that this might once have been a large dinner hall, or maybe a dance room. I smile to myself, but then quickly get back to the task at hand. Further ahead seems to be another big room, which might be more conserved than the rest of the structures.

I walk up the steps leading into this room, and my suspicions are proven correct. Behind the crumbled walls are the remnants of a large room. I put my hand on the wall and start to trace it all the way around, looking to see if some kind of mark has been made on one of the stones. Maybe that could indicate a meeting place for Slayer's group or something.

After walking all the way around back to the entrance, I must admit that there was nothing worth noting. A bit disappointed, I walk back out from this big room, and follow the path back again. 

I reach a point where the path splits off to the right and leads into a circular structure. I walk closer and follow around the building first on the outside, then go on to the inside. It's dark in here as the setting sun doesn't seem to be able to reach much of the floor. Not that it matters much, since it seems just like everything else so far. 

Just before I walk out again, I decide to look down. On the ground is a huge stone that looks just as old as all the rest of the ruins. I think there might have been some design or other chiselled into the stone, but the years, weather and foot traffic have rubbed it down to no more than a few lines here and there.

I sit down and let my fingers follow the grooves, and then I feel around the edge of the stone. Nothing feels suspicious, however, and I don't see how it could be something of value to our mission, so I move on. 

There seems to be nothing more in my designated area, so I move to the middle of the ruins, where Dom and Farlan stand waiting for me.

"Did ye find anything?" Farlan asks me as I approach and I shake my head in response.

"Yeah, neither did we. They must have moved on, I might never have been here," Farlan then says while glimpsing around the area for one last lookover.

"Let's meet up with the others - hear if they might've learned more than us," Farlan then says, still looking far away. Then he turns around to leave with us in tow.