Old Habits Die Hard (January 3rd around 2am)

[Adam James MacGregor]

The Royal Library was located in the Upper Ward, on the first floor.

The joy of a Baroque Library is in its white plaster decorations and delicate carvings in corners, grand trompe l'oeuil designs, as well as the books that fill shelves right up to the ceiling. The newly decorated library had been expanded from its Elizabethan design, incorporating part of the old hall. It looked out over the Horn Court on one side, accessible from the same hallways as the Kings apartment.

Even at night this was a busy place. The many spirits, ghosts and apparitions that an ancient place like Windsor Castle contained by virtue of all that had passed, took particular pleasure in this dome of spiritual wellness, called perhaps by happier memories. The form of the old queen Elisabeth, dressed in black, her stomacher stiff, her collar wide, and her white face wrinkled, was often seen moving about, in particular from the hearth to the old dark wooden table that nobody dared move. It was said many a meeting of the Privy Council had taken place here, rather than in the Queens closet. Another more recent visitation was seen behind the windows of the library, looking out with worry and a great sadness. It was Charles I whose grave was down in the Lower Ward, resting next to Henry VIII and Jane Seymour in st. George's Chapel. Before his untimely demise he had spend some time as prisoner in Windsor Castle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finding himself too energetic after the card game, the giant Scotsman had escorted his wife back to their rooms and after joining her in bed, tossed and turned before slipping away. He donned the first few items he laid his hands upon and armed with a few candles, a pair of daggers and the tools of his old trade stole his way through the Castle hallways. He did not skulk in the dark, though guards and courtiers were evaded whenever he had been able to do so, and at last he found himself in the library once more. Something the King told during the tea after the wolf-hunt kept nagging at the back of Adam's mind. I wonder if somebody is playing a prank you, milord. You are aware there are at least two lesser known entrances into the library? he paused at the entrance, hidden in a dark niche and strained his ears to see if the library was abandoned, intent on discovering those two entrances and uncovering the identify of the silent lady who gave unto him the silver dagger.

[Fluff]

The sounds of his feet were muffled by the large velvet drapes of the darkest black that signalled the coming of Royal Mourning. There were Life Guards about but they did not stop the earl, simply nodding as he passed. After all there was nothing illegal about an inability to sleep.

As could be expected the library appeared to be abandoned, not even a candle remaining, pitch dark.

[Adam James MacGregor]

The Scotsman did not pause in the door-way instead slipping to the side as soon as he came to the end of the hallway, moving along the wall and book-shelves, his body low to the ground. Near the corner he stopped and waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, head turning slowly, ears pricked and trying to pick and all sounds that may drift his way. It had been a while, but Adam soon found himself breathing slowly, timing his breaths so as not to make his heart beat hard and deafen him and yet not to let the sound of his own breath make him miss a clue. After a while his eyes fixed on the spot to where the mysterious and silent lady went after she gave him the dagger and he slid that way, trying to be as soundless as possible.

[Fluff]

As Adam's eyes adjusted to the lack of light, just the moonbeams through the window, his inate skills at subterfuge and skulking about in the dark made him slide through the library unheard, avoiding such obstacles as chairs, cabinets and what not. Unhindered he reached the wall, near the fireplace. The walls were covered with wooden panels that were painted, the patterns of which were difficult to ascertain in the dark.

OOC: I could have sworn there was another post here, but going forwards now.

[James Winchester]

ooc: Sorry Fluff, it was me. I thought it might not be appropriate for James to be here, but since you've advised otherwise, I'll re-post.

It was his first night in a new place, and luxurious though his room in the Octagonal Tower was, James was having trouble sleeping. He'd been restless throughout the night, but then something had woken him and he'd been unable to get back to sleep.'

Finally conceding insomnia's victory, he had risen and dressed quite plainly, feeling that his dark grey woollen breeches and pale grey linen frock coat would be fine since no one with any sense would be up at this hour and would see him.

He had intended to save investigating the library for the morrow, but since he was wide awake why not now? He arrived at the doors of the library, his satchel containing a blank book and quills and ink over his shoulder, and a single lit candle in his hand. It didn't surprise James that no other candles were lit, and given that he was not expecting anyone else to be up save for the guard he had greeted cordially as he had passed, he gave the room as a whole only a cursory glance, completely failing to notice the rather darker shadow in the corner.

He set his satchel down on an old dark wooden table that was convenient, then carried the candle to the shelves to investigate the books. He hoped that the books were at least loosely categorised, and not just placed whilly-nilly as some people might do.

He was looking for any texts from the previous century, or even something by Thomas Sydenham if he could find it. If he was lucky there might even be something on herbs or surgery from the 1300s, one never knew in the old libraries. He was looking for particular references to certain old methods no longer practiced; though for the life of him he could never fathom why. He had been investigating the ancient practice of dulling the senses with various herbs - notably opium - and the use of the 'soporific sponge' before he'd left Oxford, but had yet to get very far with his investigations. He hoped that here he might change that.

He was unaware that a certain shadowy figure in the corner was probably cursing his very existence.

[Fluff]

A figure outlined in the dark. The glow of a candle. Soon, a face that belonged to what to Adam likely was an unfamiliar face. Then the clear clunks of books as the man settled himself down to some late night study. The Scot remained hidden in the shadows.


OOC: we are waiting for the return of Adam, who has had computer problems.

[James Winchester]

Selecting a tome, James settled himself into a comfortable chair next to the dark wooden table where he had placed his satchel, and set the candlestick on the table.

Opening the book, he was soon engrossed in the account written there.

OOC: Not a problem. May I assume that James found some tome of medical interest on the shelves?

[Adam James MacGregor]

OOC: Not just computer problems. Forgive my crappy posts in advance, but I need to get Adam rolling at all costs or I will just give up

It was fortunate that Adam did not get caught in a fully lit room, as an image of a giant Scotsman with an index-finger in his mouth would have been humorous, but also hard to explain. He knew not to panic and thus before James entered the library fully, he was already crouched down and peeking under the table to see who interrupted the plans for the evening.

The man did not seem intent on leaving any time soon and thus Adam was left with a task of explaining his presence in the darkened library. Using James' movements to mask his own motions he inched a chair from under the table, pulling it back so he could slip in and sit. Next came the candle in his pocket, his dagger cutting the tip off and putting the rest back into the pocket. Reaching behind he fished a book at last and then took a peek in the flickering light of James' candle to actually see which tome he got.

It was to be a disguise, as Adam took the candle-top and pressed it against the table to make it look like it burned down some time ago, at least to a casual inspection. Next he slipped into the seat with somewhat less care and laid upon the opened book, trying to make it seem as if he fell asleep whilst reading, and the book was to give him a chance to move along the shelves at a later time in pretense on putting the book away and try to feel the draft from the secret passage. But, before that happened he needed James to notice him and thus he shifted upon the table accidentally kicking the table leg with the tip of his foot.

[Fluff]

With practised ease Adam slipped into his chair, making all the preperations. All that the good doctor noticed was ...

Bang


... a noise from deeper into the library, where darkness reigned.

OOC: assume away James. The library is well stocked.

[James Winchester]

OOC: Don't be giving up Adam. My appologies for interupting your nefarious forey, but I'm sure this will be interesing.

James was deep in an old herbal from the 1300s, James nearly jumped out of his skin when the loud noise sounded from further into the gloom of the library. He dropped the book which snapped shut in his lap, and turned to peer into the darkness. He grabbed the candlestick from the table and raised it to shed light further. "Hello? Is someone there?" He asked, grabbing the book and rising from his seat, concerned that something odd might be afoot. He had heard rumours...

[Adam James MacGregor]

OOC: Too late to apologize now. I'll see you at dawn tomorrow.

In keeping with his role of a library reader fallen asleep over a book, Adam did not reply right away, but shifted and stretched over the table, before stretching his entire body, pushing until the joints started cracking and then let out a yawn. "What time is it?" Came a mumble from the darkness, the book before Adam luckily a treatise on deer hunting in ages past and on techniques used to catch the swift creatures, which was in keeping with the image he hoped his past actions made upon society." He fumbled for a few seconds before pulling another candle out of his pocket and tried to light it, blinking at the brightness, his shoulders stooped to make him look like he was still sleepy.

[James Winchester]

OOC: Books at ten paces?

James peered into the dark as the rustling noise resolved into the sounds of someone stretching, following by the crackle of joints, then the sleepy voice. He smiled faintly and relaxed. "About two in the morning, my Lord." The doctor replied. "I fear you should have chosen more interesting reading material."

Hearing the sounds of the man trying to light the candle in the darkness, James picked up his own and carried it over, touching the flame to Adam's unlit candle. "My pardon for disturbing you. I wish I slept as easily as you, my Lord. I would not be here, but snug in my bed." The short, blonde man said with a faint smile. Adam was probably wishing that James slept better too.

[Adam James MacGregor]

The Scotsman smiled as the man helped him light the candle, thanking him silently and then glanced towards the chair opposite him, in an offer for the man to sit down. "Oh, it has been interesting, but I have been reading a lot lately. My new estate is supposed to be a bit underpopulated and ever since the wolf-hunt I find the woods and hunt to be matters of interest. So, I have been trying to prepare for the end of the season." Then in sync with his less than rich attire, Adam offered his hand to the man. "Adam MacGregor, Earl of Alyth."

[James Winchester]

Responding to Adam's silent invitation, James placed his candle on the table next to Adam's and settled into the offered seat. "James Winchester, Physician." Was the shorter man's reply, clasping Adam's hand firmly. "A pleasure to meet you." The man was being quite cordial, given that James had just woken him up.

"I was looking for records of an old medical practice that seems to have fallen by the way-side, though for the life of me I cannot fathom why." The doctor confessed.

"Am I correct in assuming that your estate is in Scotland, Lord Alyth?" He asked politely. "I have heard that the hunting in the northern kingdom is very good, so many untamed areas." Not that he had ever been there. "But may I ask about this wolf hunt you mentioned?" He said, not being familiar with the even to which Adam referred.

[Adam James MacGregor]

At the mention of the subject he was perusing, Adam glanced at the cover of the book James held and nodded. "I am by no means a physician, but I know a bit about treatment of injuries. I was amazed at some of the methods the man who taught me used, and how successful they were, even though he lacked any formal education. Some were even ghastly, but none could say anything when they saw the results. Did you know that fly maggots, as disgusting as they are, clean the infected wound perfectly. They eat away the rotten flesh and never even touch the healthy one. He used to keep the flies in a gauze net and feed them from a blood filled sack." Here even the Highlander had to shudder as he recalled the scene in his teacher's basement.

"And you are quite correct about Alyth, though it is a bit more south than my birthplace. I am not sure I will be able to adjust to Lowlands." He grinned and then added almost off-handedly. "A few days ago Lord Mountjoy and I killed a pack of wolves in the Windsor Park. Five of them led by a great white she-wolf and her equally large grey mate." He pulled the collar away to reveal the bandage he still kept there. "It has been a close call, but quite exciting."

[James Winchester]

James raised his eyebrows slightly when Adam asked him if he knew that maggots could be used to clean wounds. "Yes, I do, but it's not a common practice." the doctor admitted, and listened with interest as James described the method his teacher had used to keep the foul creatures. "Fascinating." He said. "I have also heard of placing meat in a large jar and leaving it outside for several days, such that it corrupts and becomes infested. The jar is then lidded, and the population will survive for several weeks or even months, but eventually must be renewed."

"Who was your teacher, if you don't mind me asking?" James was genuinely interested. "One should never discount a method just because the practitioner is uneducated. Ambrose Pare himself was an army surgeon, not a physician." Yet the man had single-handedly changed the nature of surgery for the better. Physicians were university educated, surgery was generally taught as a craft, though in modern times there was more cross-over than there had been.

"A pack of wolves in Windsor Park?" James echoed. "Then the winter has been fierce indeed. I have no doubt that all those in Windsor are grateful. Surely it was dangerous." And this was confirmed when Adam revealed his bandage. "I trust that has been treated?" Jamed enquired. It was far too easy for wounds to corrupt and fester, particularly if inflicted by an animal.

"I confess hunting is not something I have done over-much of; I doubt I would have the strength to face such a beast as your great white she-wolf." James confessed. He was on the shorter side of average and tended to scholarly persuits, though he could ride well enough. "I have heard that there are deer aplenty in the Scottish wilds as well." He mentioned.

"I might observe, Lord Alyth, that it is surely somewhat unusual for you to be born and presumably raised in the highlands, when your estate is in the lowlands." James pointed out. "Not that it is a disadvantage. I fear, having been born and raised on my father's estate near Oxford, and studying in the town itself, that I have done precious little travel elsewhere. No doubt you have been further." James had certainly never been to Scotland.

[Adam James MacGregor]

Nodding, Adam listened to James' description of maggot gathering practices, finding the very subject they were discussing rather odd and ghastly but fascinating nonetheless. "Fresh blood was preferable since it kept the flies clean as Desmond used to say. He was very specific about keeping the wounds and injuries of his patients meticulously clean, and used to wash his hands several times during the treatment. There was this special brew he used to make, but I never learned the recipe. He would cook sugar and water, mixed with a variety of herbs in a large pot and gather the steam. It would become something akin to whiskey, but foul tasting and with a sharp smell. This he would use to scrub his hands and he said it kept the spirit of disease away." Adam smiled remembering the old man fondly. "He was quite odd in some ways, but worked wonders. He spoke of tiny spirits that were all around us, that lived for mischief and how every illness was caused when they found their way inside our body. He touted soap as the greatest invention along with liquor as they both kept the spirits away, when they were used in moderation, as every excess would cause more harm. Too much soap would thin your skin and make it easier for spirits to slip in."

There was a danger that in speaking too much of his mentor Adam might reveal a part of his past he did not wish to be known to a stranger, but James' question demanded an answer. "His name was Desmond Grant and he must have been eighty years old when last I saw him. I doubt he is still alive, but it could very well be the case. He was surprisingly healthy for a man of his age. I met him after some brigands wounded me and with no time to spare I was taken to him instead to a doctor. As you can very well see, three shots and one stab wound were successfully treated as I am still alive." Adam shrugged and added in terms of explanation. "It took me nearly a month to recover and I spent almost six more learning what I could from him and helping him treat the local population. He set broken legs, assisted at heavy childbirth, treated sheep and cows, sewed wounds, made remedies for various ailments. And all that he learned from his grandfather who learned it from his and so on who knows how many years back." Then at the question of his wound he chuckled and nodded. "Aye, it was treated and is healing nicely. My lady wife would skin me alive if I had not seen a doctor to make sure it was cleaned and sewed properly."

It was the last question that had Adam suppressing a frown, the only sign he showed a few shallow creases upon his forehead. "Watten is as much Highland as any part of Scotland could be. A day of slow ride north would bring you to the sea-shore and the end of Scotland. But, one does not question one's King when he is given a title and estate and I am sure his Majesty had his reasons for making me Earl of Alyth ten days ago. It matters little, since I will hold both titles upon my father's death and will always have a place in Highland where I could rest and recover from my time amongst the Lowlanders." Now he was clearly joking, grinning as he did not mind Lowlanders one bit, even though he loved teasing Duncan over it.

[James Winchester]

James listened raptly as Adam recounted the things he had learned from his tutor in the healing arts, however unusual the situation leading to that tuition might have been. He made mental notes of each point Adam made, never discounting any opportunity to learn. "Some of the soldiers at the Chelsea Veteran's Hospital have spoken of having had spirits used on their wounds when other things were not available." James commented thoughtfully. He had never discounted such stories, the Veterans had a lot to tell. "Ambrose Pare spoke of the importance of cleanliness, and of the dirt of the patient's own body often being their worst enemy." He added as Adam spoke about the importance of soap.

When Adam revealed the name of his teacher, James shook his head faintly. "I fear I have not heard of him, and if he is indeed dead then that is a great loss." James, said, quite genuine. "I can see that he treated you well." And when Adam confirmed that the neck wound had been treated James nodded. "Good. Far too many wounds turn sour simply for want of quick attention. I trust you'll forgive me for having asked."

Adam's explanation of his situation regarding his holdings and titles made perfect sense. "I see. You will forgive my confusion. And allow me to offer my congratulations on your gaining the King's favour then." He said, although not without a touch of bitterness that he hid. That one who stood to inherit one estate should be granted another, while there were those who held none at all. Still, perhaps he should see it as an indication that there were opportunities to be had at court.

But Adam's frown when he'd begun to answer that last question James too as a warning, even though the big Scotsman ended his answer with a joke. "I am certain that the lowlanders will not try you overmuch, my Lord." James said. "But perhaps I do. Forgive me, you were sleeping, and here I am plaguing you with questions when no doubt you wish to seek your bed. I only came here to do some study since I could not sleep myself." James admitted.

"I honestly thought that I would have the library to myself, for two reasons infact. Firstly most are abed at this hour, and second I have heard some claim that the library is haunted. Not that I put any stock in such, but others might and would likely avoid it, don't you think?" the doctor suggested. "One does wonder where that rumour started, and why so many set credence in it." he added.

[Adam James MacGregor]

"You really should have this conversation with Desmond. I am sure he would be able to explain to you how it functioned or at least how he imagined it functioned. He almost made it sound as if human body had a mind of its own." Adam tried to recall an example that would explain what he meant. "For instance he claimed that applied ice or snow to a fresh wound would lessen the bleeding, since the blood disliked the cold and pulled away. Funny thing is that this worked, and I have seen it work. There was also something about it being best to get wounded late in the evening since the nights were cold and that would prevent excessive bleeding." James' sadness was mirrored in Adam's eyes and the Scotsman pondered if it would be possible for him to make a detour and visit old Desmond on his way to Alyth, provided the man was still alive.

Strangely Adam did not seem terribly thrilled over the honor he had been given, and the smile and nod of thanks he gave James were less than enthusiastic. It was replaced by a smile and a shake of the head when the good doctor mentioned keeping Adam from bed. "Think nothing of it. I feel quite refreshed after my nap." Then he leaned closer and whispered. "Speaking of haunted I think that the rumors you heard to hold a grain of truth. In fact I have been given a trinket by what appeared to be the ghost of Queen Bess. However, as a man of logic I did some investigation and it turns out the castle is a maze of secret passages, so it was likely someone playing a prank on me. If you wish we could do some investigation and see if my hunch is right and see if we can discover a secret passage somewhere within this very room."

[James Winchester]

"I should like very much to meet your friend Desmond, if the man still lives. I hope indeed that he does." James said earnestly. It would be a wonderful experience to learn from the man directly, even if he wasn't university trained, for plainly his cures were very effective, and James was enough of a scientist to appreciate evidence-based practice. Adam would likely prefer that James didn't persist in picking his brains as well, although the tidbits of information that he provided were more than enough to keep James interested.

The young doctor didn't miss Adam's less than enthusiastic response to his congratulations over the reciept of the Alyth estate. James wondered if it had been something of a poisoned gift, but it would hardly be polite to ask. Such things happened, he knew. He still thought that any estate would be better than no estate.

When Adam began to speak of being bestowed a gift by the ghost of Queen Bess, James raised an eyebrow, dubious. But Adam's hypothesis as to the truth of the 'visitation' certainly made a lot of sense. Giving the superstitious nature of many, someone with access to secret passages could play upon people's beliefs in the guise of a ghost.

"You are not talking about the servant's passages, I assume." James said. Everyone knew that there was a whole warren of rooms and passages 'below stairs', where the gentry did not go. "And may I assume then that this 'visitation' occured in this room?" He asked, wanting to get his facts straight.

The question of what they might do if they found such passages, and the prospect of getting lost in them should they go exploring, gave James pause. He had a sneaking suspicion that if they did find them, Adam would be down them like a shot. Still, it could hardly hurt to look. "If you do indeed think that there may be secret passages here, we could certainly look for them." James agreed. "Where did you see your 'phantom'?" He asked, getting to his feet. "Out of curiosity, how did you find out about the passages?" James asked, wondering if the information was reliable.

[Adam James MacGregor]

OOC: Should the mods agree, I see no reason why James could not visit Desmond during recess. Whether he is still alive is up to you and them. Since I do not have the exact location figured out, I will make t a general explanation and you can go from there.

Even after so many years Adam knew the location of Desmond's house, though he also knew that giving directions to there would be less easy. "When you leave Glasgow and head north-west about a day's ride down the road you will come to a crossroads. You will recognize the spot as there is a statue of Saint Andrew carved out of rock by the road. Turn right and after half an hour or so you will come to a village called Deep Hollow. People there will know old Desmond and will be able to take you to his home. I am loathe to describe to you the exact path as it is easy to get lost in the woods. Give the old man my regards and be sure to tell him that I still keep getting injured and miss his company and chiding every time." It was obvious from Adam's smile and the tone of his voice, that the Highlander was very fond of the old man, and it was then and there that he decided to pay the man a visit as soon as he was able.

"King himself told me of such during the tea he shared with Lord Mountjoy and me after the wolf-hunt. As for the visitation I was sitting at this very table, when a lady dressed in black, her face painted white came to me and without uttering a word left a silver dagger on the table before departing. I did some research and the owner of the curio shop in the town told me such daggers were common during Queen Bess' time. There is a legend that says a werewolf with Stuart blood in his veins lives in the woods around Windsor, and people kept daggers close as protection." Adam smiled and chuckled. "I still have the thing, though it is less useful than a real thing. Silver is too fragile."

With James rising, Adam did the same and lifted a candle from the table. "There is something I have been pondering, though it slipped my mind some time ago. A way to discover a passage. Follow me." With the candle in hand Adam moved to the nearest bookcase and stood very still, watching the flame of the candle in his hand, waiting for it to flicker in the draft that was sure to come from a passage, as it would be impossible to seal every crack in the entrance. "Just hold your breath and the flame should reveal the passage. At least in theory, there should be a draft coming from behind the spot where the passage is hidden." With that the Scotsman moved slowly around the room, pausing every step to observe the flame.

[Fluff]

The library by nature was a drafty place, however Adam and James were far removed from the windows. It was just passed the fireplace, at one of the painted panels that Adam's candle suddenly reacted with a far bigger flickering than it had before, bending to one side.

[James Winchester]

Pausing to note down the directions Adam gave in the blank book he had brought, James decided that he would seek out this Desmond, once court closed given the time and resources. It sounded like the lay-healer would be a wealth of knowledge. James hoped that he could be persuaded to share it. "I will seek him out. And if I can find him, I will remember you to him." James promised.

James was interested that the King himself had mentioned the hauntings. Did he not suspect that people inhabited his castle secretly and used it for their own purposes? That seemed a far more likely explanation to James. But Adam's tale of the silver dagger was interesting. "Fear of a werewolf would explain why those daggers were carried, since common myth holds that werewolves can only be killed by it." James shrugged. He set no stock by such myth either. "Why some woman might disguise herself thus to present it to you I do not know. Unless..." a thought occured to him. "Did you receive the dagger before or after you killed the white wolf?" He asked. "Perhaps a white wolf is close enough to a werewolf?" Thought that still did not explain the purpose.

Adam's explanation of how he intended to detect the passage made perfect sense, and James endeavored to refrain from breathing in the direction of the candle or moving suddenly. Sure enough, in front of one of the pained panels, the candle flame guttered. "It looks as though your hypothesis is correct, my Lord." James observed. "But if there is a passage, one wondered how it might be opened." He said, reaching out and gently pushing the painted panel experimentally, not wanting to harm the painting.

"If the key is some irregularity in the surface itself, if you hold the candle near the wall to one side and examine the surface, the light should gleam off the oil paint and the shadows should reveal any irregularities." But if it was indeed the door, the release might be elsewhere than in the wall/door itself. James ran his eye around the edge of the panel, looking for an obvious gap or catch.

[Adam James MacGregor]

It was rather wonderful how James connected the dots, and Adam could not help but chuckle as he shielded the flame with his hand, whispering softly away from it. "Funny thing is, I was given the dagger before I went hunting. And I had the thing with me during it, now that I think of it. Why in the heavens did I bring it along." The Scotsman shook his head and continued the search. "The wolf died all the same, even though Lord Mountjoy used a regular dagger to dispatch it." Then the flame flickered and Adam stood still to make sure they had the right spot, before handing the candle to the doctor and gently tapped the panel with his fingertips, seeking to determine if there was a hollow spot behind them. Once that was done he moved aside and allowed James to perform his investigation, planning to intervene only if it failed. He was not in the mood to be very subtle that day.

[Fluff]

Upon their joint investigation, the panel easily gave away. It was a servants entrance from the look of it, perhaps forgotten in times past. The panel was to ensure that the servants moved in and out unobtrusively. After all this once had been the room where a Privy Council gathered. The path was not beckoning, being dark and filled with spider webs and dust threads.