Fiona’s husband was more often away at sea than he was at home. One night during the season of high winds and gales a stranger came to the door. It was a man with the sodden look of someone washed up on a beach after a ship wreck. His great sea coat was tattered and his hair hung down over the collar. He asked if he might take shelter and so, Fiona’s older son, Hamish* showed him to the enclosed shed where a few cows and sheep took refuge at night. Fiona later brought out a wash basin and some clean dry clothes that belonged to her husband. He took them gratefully but did not answer when she asked him how he came to be traveling on such a night.
I see the mist covered hills…. I will soon be welcomed– the Rankin Family -Chi mi na morbheanna
At the house, Fiona reassured herself that her husband’s pistol was within reach in the hutch before sending Hamish to fetch their guest to the kitchen. As they sat down at the table she was surprised to see that he was very handsome in a darkly brooding way. When asked his name, he hesitated a moment, but then replied “Duff,”* and looked up expectantly as if awaiting approval of the appellation. Fiona’s boys, usually so talkative, were quiet during supper. They all seemed spell bound and sensed something both disturbing and strangely fascinating in Duff’s appearance and odd demeanor. His intense eyes fixed everyone in their gaze and his posture was alert to every sound and movement. Afterward he thanked them and took the bed coverings that were offered. Fiona watched him walk toward the outbuilding and locked the doors before retiring to bed. During the night the wind died down and they heard singing coming from the shed. It was a strangely captivating song full of such longing that it sent an echoing shiver into the intimate depths of her.
The next day she saw he had let the sheep out to graze. He later came to the back door with peat for the fire and some shellfish to prepare. In that moment Fiona realized how much she missed her husband.
By nightfall the weather had worsened again. The storm howled through Fiona’s emptiness and somehow it came to be that she found herself delirious and in the arms of the mysterious Duff. His skin tasted like the salt sea and she felt as though she had been caught in a fierce undertow while the surf filled her hollow bones with wild song. The sound of a rushing wind inside her ears drowned out everything but the distant cries of a lone gull, or perhaps it was her own voice that she heard.
In the morning the storm had broken. The sun came up and the stranger was gone. Her husband’s clothes and the bed coverings were all neatly folded in the wardrobe. Everything now seemed hazy and elusive, and Fiona wondered if indeed any of it had happened at all.
She inquired in the village if there had been news of any vessel that might have run aground in the bad weather but none had been reported. Two weeks later the captain returned at last and within the month she knew she was with child. Fiona and the boys never mentioned the visitor who had not been seen again since that time. It was as if they all had dreamed the same dream but Fiona knew that the baby growing inside her was very real.
PS: I am behind again and scrambling to catch up!
Scottish names: Hamish is anglicized for Seamus in Gaelic meaning James and Duff comes from Dubh meaning dark
Chapter Four
chapters one and two
chapter two
chapter one
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
Oh my, Cybele, this is all beautiful, just beautiful a real true nod to this world and an evocation of it. I have bookmarked chap four to come back.
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oh I’m so happy you are reading it. Bear in mind it probably needs some revising. But I kind of do things in fits and starts and often don’t finish!! The ending needs work. I wish I was more like you! but ADHD and/or not enough discipline lol as you can see, 4 years later.
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I love the wild, stormy night and the appearance of this mysterious and handsome stranger. The characters in the scene are nicely portrayed through fascinating detail. I’m now wondering whether Fiona’s secret emerges sometime in the future.
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so pleased you are enjoying it!! Take your time, I know you are busy writing too!
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A wonderful selection of names. I liked the name “Duff” and what it signifies. You are a great storyteller Moon. 🙂 The song was also beautiful and just adds to the whole atmosphere of the story.
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🙂 I love those Gaelic names!
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It has high levels of symbolism, I guess – very toxic, especially for people who love mystery and all… 😉
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Engaging story from the first lines,fantasies that take shape and fascinating characters,Cybele.The weather conditions made everything wilder and more mysterious,You keep your readers in suspence,it’s a story that you want to come back and continue reading.The Scottish song echoed above the Highlands and became one with your powerful words that resonate with mystery and beauty.I’ll come back,my friend,I will … You’ll never disengage me …
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I am so happy you like the story- and of course the music!! Thank you for such a wonderful comment Doda!
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My pleasure sweet friend Cybele.I wll read all chapters,I think they are 7,but gradually.I want to post something new and I postpone it again and again …
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Any time my friend. Looking forward to your next post too! I always post my chapters fearfully, hoping they will meet the standard of the last one and it’s so wonderful to get comments from people like you!
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🙂 ☀️☀️☀️
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Oooo, I love the way you describe that night of passion. …Now I must dash over to the next chapter to see what happens.
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aha, so glad you like the passion Sarah! thank you!
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I love this! Your word choice paints a beautiful melody
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oh I am thrilled you came by to read the story which of course is not finished yet! lol. Did you manage all the chapters?! Thanks so much and do come by again!!
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Beautiful evocative story, Cybele.
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so glad you are enjoying it Ali! I appreciate your feedback!!
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Such a great sense of place and character in so few words. Love it – and such evocative imagery. Thank you.
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I’m so honoured by your comment! Thank you!
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No. The honour was mine to have read your words 🙂
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🙂 it’s very encouraging!
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Beautiful and haunting Cybele.
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Oh I was hoping you would read it Andrea! Thank you!! – and more coming!
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I am enjoying the story.
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very pleased Sherry!! Thank you!
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Anxiously awaiting more! 😳
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thanks Linda!! More coming!
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I’m looking forward to the next chapter, Hannah! Your story is captivating 😊. And your images fit the story so perfectly.
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thanks so much Pam! Your comment is encouraging and much appreciated!!
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Great chapter! Looking forward to reading more. Will Duff return I wonder? 🙂 The images are wonderful. That ship really does look as if it in a howling storm.
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so glad you are enjoying it!! Duff may return!! Poor Fiona! 😀 Thank you so much for the encouragement Deb!!
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MP!
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“The storm howled through Fiona’s emptiness and somehow it came to be that she found herself delirious and in the arms of the mysterious Duff. His skin tasted like the salt sea and she felt as though she had been caught in a fierce undertow while the surf filled her hollow bones with wild song. The sound of a rushing wind inside her ears drowned out everything but the distant cries of a lone gull, or perhaps it was her own voice that she heard.”
That’s a paragraph to surely memorise! It’s a fine description.
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I’m thrilled by your endorsement. It did resonate for me too. Sometimes I’m not sure how these descriptions materialize! 😀 But if anyone knows, you do! Thanks so much! Good to hear from you Peter and hope all is well!
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I’m so glad I’ve met you and am able to enjoy your incredible art and writings. The photos with this story are absolutely stunning, the words of the story absolutely enthralling. I’ll eagerly await the “more to come!”
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Many many thanks Kerena!! Your enthusiasm makes it all worthwhile!
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The top image here really blows me away, my friend >>> no pun intended!!! A
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😀 nice one! thank you Adrian!!
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What a story Cybele, fantastic photos!
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thank you so much Della!
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Love this mysterious tale, truly captivating, looking forward to the next chapter 😊
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I’m so glad you are liking it! Thanks so much Katie!
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Wonderful Cybele.
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thank you Maverick!!
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Deliciously dark and mysterious.
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and a lovely comment! thank you David!!
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So entertaining with the illustrations Cybele.
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many thanks Maria!
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Enjoyed the story and the images were hauntingly beautiful.
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thanks so much Sharon! More to come! Did you manage the first two chapters too?
PS: and thanks for coming by!
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Oh I just saw this one
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It’s a little series lol! Only a few more chapters to come. The first two chapters will (hopefully!) help make more sense of the tale. Hope you might get a chance to read them! Thanks for the read of this chapter!
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What a story
You had me from beginning to end
Great post
As always Sheldon
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thanks for your lovely comment and support Sheldon! More coming!
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Gorgeous as usual!
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Laura!! where have you been lol!! My email follow thing is always so late with everything as well. That’s my excuse for being so behind myself!! (and still house hunting!) thanks so much for stopping by! How are you!
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Hi there! Well I’ve been here but I don’t look at the reader every day anymore. (I don’t do the email follow thing.) I’ve noticed that some I never see in the reader. I’m doing well thank you! I hope you’re doing well too!
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no worries – we do what we can!! yes I am well too!
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Good to hear. 🙂
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Wow… I like this one
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Many thanks Raj!!
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Ooh, I’m liking this tale, Hannah 😀
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so very pleased Sue!! It’s been a struggle keeping up these days- and writing to boot. Still more to come!
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Yippee! Looking forward to the next instalment 😀
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