ForumsArt, Music, and Writing~Berry Pomeroy Castle~

2 2026
nichodemus
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nichodemus
14,981 posts
Grand Duke

The freezing wind swept up the dry fallen leaves, rustling them along the path as the young doctor stepped off the carriage. Tipping his top hat to the driver, he pulled his overcoat around him and walked towards the ancient looking castle. The moon was bright in the night sky.

Watching the man disappear down the stone path, the wizened old driver sighed. âMay the heavens protect you in that accursed placeâ he muttered, urging the horse forward.

Doctor Feraz gripped the rusty iron ring on the door. Pulling it, he heard the sound of a cracked bell ringing a solemn note deep inside castle. The great wooden door creaked as the castle steward opened it. Bowing slightly, the doctor entered into the darkness, taking off his coat and hat. His eyes adjusted to the gloomy candle lit corridor quickly.

âThanks for coming at this time of night Doctor Feraz.â the castle steward uttered anxiously. He led the way down the damp corridor. Doctor Feraz was amazed at the place, even more so at the numerous massive portraits hanging on the wall that seemed to glance coldly at him.

âYou must have an army of people just to keep Berry Pomeroy Castle clean for His Lordship Mr Harris!â Feraz exclaimed, surprised. âI suppose the damp keeps most of them away at this time of year! No wonder his Lordship likes to spend the winter in France.â

âAye. But none will stay the night and itâs not the damp that keeps them away.â The castle steward answered through a mouth of rotten teeth, hastily shuffling along.

Just then, the doctor stopped abruptly. At one point, the line of portraits broke off, leaving just a damp imprint of one. As he opened his mouth to inquire about the missing picture, the castle steward tugged him along quickly.

In the castle stewardâs room, his wife lay on her sickbed, pale and shivering. Doctor Feraz opened his black leather bag and started to examine herâ¦

âSheâll be fine, itâs just a severe case of influenza, and sheâs recovering already. I gave her a sleeping draught to pass the nightâ Feraz said, stepping out into the chilly night. The castle door shut behind himâ¦


The next day, Feraz again arrived at the castle. This time a country girl answered the door.

âMr Harris is out; youâll have to wait Sir.â she squeaked timidly.

âNot a problem, Iâll just stay in Lord Ruthvenâs library. If anythingâs wrong call me.â

The library was dusty; no one had entered for quite awhile. Rows and rows of shelves with books untouched for ages stood there. Weak rays of light shone in through the windows. Feraz picked up an old medical journal and lowered himself onto a dusty plum colored armchair.

As the afternoon went by, dark clouds swarmed the skies; a storm brewed, showering the castleâs towers and battlements with torrents of icy rain. Thunder rocked the sky like cannon on a battlefield; lightning seemed to cross bright swords with each other. Feraz remained engrossedâ¦

The ancient grandfather clock struck a somber note. Startled Feraz arose from his reading and sat up. As he did so, he saw a woman gliding across the shelves. A pure white gown trailed behind her, ancient design on her dress. From her dress, he guessed it was in fashion 400 years ago.

âExcuse me madam.â He stood up. âNice toâ¦â The lady ignored him, silently continuing to move towards a flight of steps at a corner. As she past one of the windows, a flash of lightning lighted up her face. Feraz gasped. Her beautiful pale face was wracked in anguish, anger, sadness. But her eyes frightened him the most. They were steel grey, no soul behind them. A dead personâs eyes. A tortured being. There was a dark stain forming on the dress. Blood dripped from her mouthâs corners.

She continued noiselessly, at one point passing within a few feet of the shocked doctor. Still she gave no sign of seeing him. The only sound in the room was the swishing of her dress. He felt a cold breath play across his face. A bead of sweat dripped to the floor, Ferazâs mouth twitched. As the woman reached the top of the stairs, she turned around a corner and disappeared.

Feraz straightened his tie, exited the library hurriedly and went to the castle steward. He found him in one of the billiard rooms, dusting the poolsticks.

âA party. Yes, has His Lordship been hosting a fancy dress party?â Feraz mumbled weakly, licking his dry lips.

âNo sir, itâs been some years since His Lordship held a party at Berry Pomeroy Castle⦠Are you alright doctor?â

âThen who was that lady in the old dress in the library? She looked so miserableâ¦â

The steward turned ashen-faced, teeth chattering. He collapsed into an armchair, hands turning bone white. âOh my poor Isabel!â he wailed.

âYour wife? No that wasnât your wife I saw!â

The old manâs eyes were washed with tears. âI mean my wife will die. The thing you saw is the phantom of the castle. She led a sinful life in this castle 400 years ago. During the English Civil War, His Lordshipâs ancestor had supported the King. As the Parliamentâs attacked this castle, the woman led the enemy in. Years later, when the King returned, she was executed by His Lordshipâs ancestor. Her tongue was cut out for the crime of betrayal and she was burned at stake. She was doomed to wander the castle forever. Herâs was the portrait that was removed and destroyed.â

âBut what has this got to do with your wife?â

Old Harris brushed his tears away, looking at the young man. âShe only appears when there is a death in the castle.â

Feraz jumped to his feet, opening the door. âBut your wife is fine! Sheâs in no danger!â he called as he rushed up the stairs, three at a time.

When he reached the bedroom door, he cleared it clumsily, stumbling to the womanâs bed. He touched her icy hand. The woman lay peacefully beneath the sheets. Nothing moved in the room. But forever, Doctor Feraz swore he heard the soft rustling of a silk dressâ¦

  • 2 Replies
nichodemus
offline
nichodemus
14,981 posts
Grand Duke

ok the funny symbols are punctuation. Dont noe why it got deleted.

nichodemus
offline
nichodemus
14,981 posts
Grand Duke

Ok the story is based on one that was mentioned in a "Horrible History" Book

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