The Magic Ring of Brodgar. Кейтлин Эмилия Новак

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СКАЧАТЬ more powerful in life than love. When it comes – everything changes: the values, the meaning of being.” Megan was amazed at how quickly and unconditionally one can fall in love with someone, how in one moment everything changes, and there's no turning back.

      It was difficult to fall asleep. Thoughts overwhelmed her, emotions ran high, but she needed to rest at least a little before the trip to the islands tomorrow.

* * *

      She managed to sleep only a couple of hours before the alarm went off and it was time to get ready. Megan thought about the unfortunate day they chose for this trip. But somehow, the usual predictability of life didn't apply here. Nobody could have known in advance that on this sleepless night she would find the love of her life.

      She quickly washed up, combed her gorgeous hair, dressed warmly, and went down to the kitchen to drink a double shot of strong coffee. Warren and Glenn were just finishing breakfast.

      “Good morning, Megan,” the couple said in unison.

      “Good morning,” she said with a smile and reached for the coffee.

      “Aren't you going to have breakfast?” Glenn asked in surprise.

      “No, I don't want to. I'll just have some cookies,” murmured the sleep-deprived girl.

      “Are you feeling okay?” Glenn asked worriedly.

      “Yes, I'm fine. Just didn't sleep much. Insomnia. It happens sometimes.”

      “If you want, we can stop by a pharmacy today and get you some calming drops; they'll help with the insomnia.”

      “Thanks, Glenn, I think that's a good idea. We can stop by on the way back.”

      “Well, are you ready? If so, let's go,” Warren said cheerfully, getting up from the table.

      “Yes, we can head out,” Megan replied.

      Sitting in Warren's cozy car, she again immersed herself in thoughts about Derek.

      Arriving at the port, they saw Duncan and Craig there.

      “Hi, Megan,” Craig greeted her joyously.

      “Craig, Duncan, it’s nice to see you both!” she said.

      “The weather is wonderful today, so the trip should be fantastic,” Craig observed.

      Leaving their cars in the parking lot, the group chatted and headed towards the dock, where a boat was prepared. Fifteen minutes later, everyone was aboard the vessel heading to Kirkwall, located on the Orkney Islands.

      “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard!” Craig announced playfully, mimicking a sea captain, wanting to catch Megan's attention. Spreading a blanket in his hands, he continued, “If you get cold during the journey, you can always cover yourselves with the blankets under your seats,” with these words, he carefully covered the girl's shoulders.

      “Thank you, captain, you're very kind!” she thanked him with a smile.

      The day was clear and sunny. The sky was cloudless. But Megan knew that despite the good weather, it would definitely be cold on the way due to the headwind.

      “How long will it take us to get there?” she asked.

      “About an hour,” Duncan replied.

      The company was made up of interesting conversationalists, and time flew by unnoticed.

      From Kirkwall, they began their exploration of the island. Megan couldn't get enough of the beauty that unfolded before her eyes. Magnificent cliffs of various shapes and heights extended deep into the sea. The delightful sandy beaches invited peace and solitude. She couldn't have imagined such a variety of landscapes in this area. Moving from one place to another, they eventually arrived at the famous Ring of Brodgar. This ring consisted of 27 megalithic stones and had been here for several thousand years. It was unknown who built it and for what purpose – whether it was the Celts or those before them, there were no answers to these questions.

      “Originally, the ring had about 60 stones, the rest hadn’t survived to our time,” Warren began. “Legends say that for many centuries, sacrifices were made on an altar situated in the center of the megalithic circle to appease various gods. Locals say that at first, virgins and children were offered as sacrifices, and in later times – animals. Nowadays, this place is just a tourist attraction, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.”

      “Such gigantic stones,” Megan exclaimed in admiration.

      “And how many terrifying stories they hold in their memory,” Duncan said. “I really like this place; it's definitely filled with mystique.”

      Craig also contributed, “The local legend says, once every four years, according to the Celtic calendar, on the night of November 11th to 12th, a unique astronomical event occurs. Stars and planets align in a special order, creating a connection with the altar within the ancient stone circle. It's said that if you lie on the altar at midnight, you can momentarily connect with cosmic forces and receive answers to the most important questions about the past and the future. However, the altar must first be sprinkled with the blood of those seeking knowledge.”

      “This is the first time I'm hearing such a legend, Craig. Did you just make it up to scare Megan?” Warren asked, laughing.

      But Duncan supported the storyteller, “I've heard about this from some locals as well.”

      “And does the belief actually work?” Megan asked Craig, surprised.

      “I have no idea, nor the desire to test it. Many tell the legend, but no one has ever named a single person who received any information from the cosmos while lying on this altar. I think it's just as much of a fairy tale as the blooming fern. Our region loves mysterious stories. Point out any mysterious place, and immediately a new tale is invented, giving it the utmost mysticism,” he replied.

      “I completely agree with you, Craig,” Duncan said. “If we were to go to the sea now and set up another stone circle, even if it’s smaller than this one, by tomorrow a story would be born about some sea monster that built its altar on land to communicate with the Universe. And by next year, this myth would be known across the north of Scotland.”

      Warren also eagerly joined the conversation, “Megan, Scots are special people, remember, it's only in our country that the Loch Ness Monster lives. Just think about it, nowhere else in the world, in none of the tens of thousands of lakes on Earth, does any creature like this exist, but in Scotland, it does, and what a creature it is! Do you know how many tales are associated with it? All you have to do is visit any bookshop and you'll find dozens of books with countless myths about this being. During the boat ride on the lake, they'll tell you at least ten different stories related to the Nessie monster within an hour.”

      Megan was impressed. People had invented so many stories about a single lake inhabitant! For a moment, she wondered what she actually knew about the most popular, albeit possibly fictional, Scottish creature.

      “Could you tell me more about this monster?” she said, addressing Warren. “I saw something about it on TV, but I can't remember what it was.”

      “I'd be happy to share all I know. In the lake itself, Loch Ness was formed at the end of the Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago. Its water is murky and black due to the abundance of peat, but it is very deep and surrounded by steep cliffs. Until recently, before tourist paths were laid, it was СКАЧАТЬ