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      Over dinner, they discussed production matters, and Warren explained his management duties. Megan replied that his responsibilities would now increase and so would his earnings accordingly.

      Towards the end of the meal, Glenn turned to the cousin of her husband, “Warren mentioned you're interested in the traditions and legends of our area. We'd be delighted to share everything we know about it with you.”

      “And I'll be delighted to hear it!”

      “Then we can move to the living room, and over a glass of whisky, begin our stories, which you've been anticipating like little girls. Oh, ladies, how you love fairy tales!” Warren said with a playful smile.

      Megan took a seat on the sofa. The couple settled into armchairs by the fireplace, where logs softly crackled, adding warmth to the large room.

      “There are no ghosts in the castle, right?” Megan asked cautiously.

      Warren laughed and replied, “I've never encountered any, and Malcolm never mentioned any to me. So, I can assure you, there have been no ghosts here for at least the last seventy years. And you, I see, are quite the scaredy-cat. Afraid of everything.”

      “Well, not everything, just inexplicable things: the darkness, and the dead.”

      “You should be afraid of the living, not the dead! Inexplicable things are always explainable, depending on how you look at it. The dead, they’re sleeping peacefully and not making any trouble. Why do you have this fear? Did something happen in the past?”

      “No, thank God! And hopefully, it never will. Perhaps, as a child, my friends and I told each other too many horror stories, and I was impressionable. Or, for example, that one movie about Freddy Krueger was enough. Left me scarred for life,” Megan said, laughing.

      “So, maybe we shouldn't talk about legends today? They're all related to something, as you say, inexplicable.”

      “No, no, Warren, it's different! This is about the history and traditions of your land. I really want to learn about them to understand what the local people believe in and how they live.”

      Glenn spoke enthusiastically, “Scots, like many people closely connected with nature, are superstitious. They place great importance on omens, legends, and myths. We celebrate the start and end of the harvest, as well as honoring various saints. Many of the festivals and traditions in northern Scotland are inherited from the Celts. The nearest local one, as Warren already told you, is in four days. On Fern Night, witches' powers are enhanced so, – the most potent magic is performed, and it's the only night it can be undone. It's the most magical and mystical festival we have. And the next one after that is on the first of August. People wear masquerade costumes for it.”

      “So, on that day, Scots are willing to forsake their beloved traditional attire? By the way, I’ve noticed that in daily life everyone wears it around here; even the men working at the distillery today were all wearing kilts.”

      “Our traditions have been in our blood for a very long time,” began Warren. “Back in the early medieval era, the highlanders wrapped themselves in dense woolen cloth that protected them from the winds and cold of this region. They would wrap a large plaid around their waist and throw the remaining part over the shoulder and secure it. It was not only convenient and warm for walking but also for sleeping. This was especially appreciated by warriors who had to spend nights under the open sky. During battles, if the costume got in the way, they could easily throw it off with one hand and rush into battle in their birthday suits.”

      “Are you joking?” laughed Megan.

      “I'm not joking, it's true! Often in those times, highlanders fought naked because it was inconvenient to fight in clothes,” Warren said enthusiastically.

      “What a sight! I can just imagine.”

      “Over time, the costume evolved, and the kilt became a separate piece. It's still wrapped around the waist, fastened with buckles on the side, and a kilt pin at the bottom,” continued the cousin.

      Glenn spoke again, “I'm really glad that Scots have preserved their love for the traditional costume and wear it in everyday life. It's truly beautiful. Don't you think so, Megan?”

      “I completely agree. I really like it. By the way, I've already seen a man in a kilt playing the bagpipes near the castle in the evening, twice. Is he one of the neighbors?”

      Warren raised an eyebrow, “Hmm, possibly. I also heard the melody yesterday. The bagpipe is the main Scottish musical instrument. You can often hear it, but mainly during celebrations or in local pubs. Playing it on the streets, just like that, without any special occasion, is rare.”

      “At the festival, there will be plenty of bagpipes, and you can fully enjoy the magical music. By the way, legends say that the bagpipes were gifted to the Scots by forest fairies,” Glenn replied.

      At that moment, Megan was thinking about whether the stranger from the hill would be there. But aloud, she said, “Forest fairies… What other magical creatures are found in these parts?”

      “Many people with special abilities have always lived here. For example, old lady Innes, who knows a lot and can see into the future. People from all over the area come to her when traditional medicine doesn't help. Her house stands right next to the forest, like a witch's dwelling. She gathers various herbs for her potions and heals many with infusions and spells. Now, there are almost no people like Innes left, but in the past, the north was full of them. Legends say that the highlanders won many battles thanks to the power of charms and spells.”

      “They say that in our family, at the end of the nineteenth century, we had a gifted great-great-grandmother, or perhaps some other ancestor. Her name was Margaret McKenzie. She could talk to animals and read their thoughts. She gathered herbs and healed an entire area of diseases. She helped people but only communicated with those in need. She always preferred the company of animals, explaining that they were kinder and more sincere than humans. She was engaged to a lord from a neighboring castle. However, he went missing, and she died of grief, unable to overcome his disappearance. Such a sad story,” said Warren.

      “Indeed, very sad,” Megan replied.

      “The castle passed into our possession after the disappearance of Lord Drummond, as he left no heirs and had no relatives. That's Castle Raven, where my grandfather and brother now live. By the way, you remember that we are going there for dinner tomorrow?”

      “Yes, I remember. I’m really looking forward to seeing that castle!”

      “It's truly extraordinary and looks completely different inside compared to Castle Mal. I think it will make a big impression on you,” said Glenn enthusiastically.

      “I have no doubt about that. Tell me, Warren, where did Margaret get such a gift? Maybe she picked a fern flower?”

      “According to legend, the founder of the clan was Aidan McKenzie. He married a local witch who bewitched him with some kind of love potion. They married despite her having no family or name. From her, along the maternal line, Margaret and a few other females in our clan inherited the gift. However, unlike others who had the ability of clairvoyance, Margaret could only communicate with animals and heal.”

      “I definitely don't have any gift, which I'm quite happy about,” Megan said, laughing.

      “Well, that's good. It's probably hard to live with such a thing. СКАЧАТЬ