Page 267 of The Protective Gryphen

“Two pints of whatever you recommend.”

The man went to go put in their order.

Not far from Ian was an older man, and he was definitely curious.

“Americans?” he asked.

“Yes,” Ian said. “I’m Ian, and this is Gryphen. We’re staying at Ravensmire Castle. I’m working on the history of the place, and Minister McCullum said to come here for some lore on the castle.”

Well, the man now had their full attention. They heard lore, and that was all they needed.

The minister had been right.

“Laddies, you’ve come to the right place. Both of you come to a table, and we’ll talk your ear off about Ravensmire,” another man said. “What is it that you need to know?”

Ian looked over to make sure Gryphen was okay with that since he was the protective one.

Without a worry, Gryphen leaned in to reassure him.

“I think I can take them. The one with the cane might get away though. He’s yours if he makes a break for it.”

It made Ian grin, and it was clear what had gone on outside was forgotten.

Thank God.

Ian really didn’t want the man angry with him. He was planning on sticking close from here on out.

He was grateful Gryphen was calm once more. Later though, he hoped he was stirred back up. He liked a wild man who was out of control.

When the bartender handed them the beer, Gryphen pointed.

“A round for our new friends.”

The man warned him what can of worms he was opening with the likes of them.

“Oh, well, they can drink. Are you sure you want to go there with them, Laddie. They are pros at putting back a pint. It’ll cost you a fortune with them. They drink like fishes.”

Gryphen didn’t care.

Ian was smiling and happy again. That was all he cared about.

“I can pay. Run the tab,” he said, and the man did just that, pouring fresh pints.

As they sat down, the three men introduced themselves. Each one had brilliant blue eyes, and looked to have lived quite the life.

“So, have you seen the ghost?” the one man asked. “She haunts that place since the day she was thrown over by her man.”

Ian didn’t go there because he wanted to see if what they saw matched up with the journals so that he could believe they were real.

“No, but we are working on reconstructing the journal that was destroyed.”

The one man laughed.

“Likely destroyed by her. Rumor has it that she was so angry, she tore the place apart, and destroyed all of Duncan Granndach’s things. Her haunting is legend. I remember hearing about it as a kid.”

That was exactly what they wanted.

Lore.

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