Secret Of The Crest (2 page)

   ‘This inn is very old, I can assure you my dear that it out ages even your great great grandmother!’ Marina said. ‘It was built before the ottoman invasion and the battle of Preveza, that was about 1538 I believe. Almost two decades before that around 1518 would be approximately accurate.’

   They had reached the top of the stairs and were led to their rooms.

   ‘Here we are,’ said the woman once more, ‘this is the couple’s room. It is quite dark because back in the day, the windows that were put in were very small as to be safe at times of war. Still you will find the room very comfortable; there are more oil lamps on the nightstands and in the bathroom.’ She paused. ‘If you should need, anything there is a rope over your bed, just pull on it the bell will sound the desk and we will soon be up to accommodate you. You see, we do not have electricity most of the time that rope is attached to a bell downstairs.’

  Sarah and Sam both spoke at once,

   ‘Thank you, we’ll be fine!’

   ‘As for you my dear girl,’ the woman continued looking at Rebecca, ‘you will be in joining rooms with Cassandra because the others are being renovated at the moment. The only thing separating the two of you, are the doors to the one boudoir you will be sharing. I hope that is all right with you.’

   Rebecca stared at Cassie intensely; her eyes were telling her she did not want to be alone. After all, they had reserved a room with two beds, over the phone but were now, being separated. Cassie smiled her wide smile and replied.

   ‘We will just fine and if one of us gets lonely we will bunk! Right, Becca?’

   ‘Right love’ a soft voice answered. 

   ‘Well then, I suppose you should retire from your long trip’ said Marina as she approached the door. ‘Breakfast is served at eight and if you should want to take a warm bath, you must notify me an hour ahead so that the hot water is prepared and brought up to you. The inn is very old and the pipes were not made to warm the water back then.  Now, I’ll leave you be have a pleasant night!’

   ‘Cassie, this is a nice secluded place you chose, with a great natural view all around, but I don’t think I’m willing to sleep alone across from you because, lets admit it, it’s an eerie place here’ Rebecca noted. ‘All these dark colored walls, no electricity, small windows which the sun can’t really shine through, because they are also tinted and to top all that off, that woman Marina… well, she just gives me the creeps, love.’ Rebecca finished with an expression of wonder.

   ‘Come on Becca, you’re exaggerating. Let’s go see the other room, give it a chance. You can choose whichever you like and if you still feel the same then you know I meant what I said about sharing the room.’

  The girls opened the door that led to the small old-fashioned bathroom, which had a mirror that looked older than the inn itself. They could barely see their reflection in it. Upon opening the second door of the bathroom, they came into the larger room of the two. It had a dark wooden ceiling but the walls were done in a lovely floral print wallpaper that at some parts of it, it was so worn out the pattern could not be seen. This room was no doubt, more comfortable than Becca had expected.

   ‘I call this room!’ she exclaimed.

   ‘Ok then, it’s settled,’ Cassie replied. ‘I told you, you might like it.’

   ‘Are you sure you don’t mind? We can stay here together, the bed’s big enough.’ Rebecca said showing off the bed.

   ‘I’ll be fine next door, besides you know me Becca, I’ll be up till all hours of the night analyzing my photos. I wouldn’t feel comfortable if I kept you up too!’ said Cassandra. ‘Let’s go get your bags from the other room, get you settled in.’

   The girls made themselves comfortable, Rebecca began reading a book after saying goodnight and Cassandra unpacked her bags checking all her camera equipment so that it was in perfect condition for the next day’s excursion. Sarah and Sam had already fallen asleep; the trip had been a long and exhausting one for all of them. Cassandra finished her camera maintenance and prepared herself for a good night’s sleep. While brushing her teeth she thought about what a wonderful place it was that her parents had visited and sent her to photograph, she was sure she would be back later not for work but just to relax. She felt different than Becca did about the old woman Marina. She had a feeling of warmth, comfort and everything one feels at home. Something about this place was alluring to her.

   Cassandra was lost in her thoughts for a while   but snapped out of it and decided to check on Rebecca before turning in. She quietly opened the door to the joining room and saw Becca sleeping with a book set upon her chest and her oil lamp still shining bright.  Cassie tiptoed into the room, gently lifted the book and set it aside. Then she put out the lamp, drew the covers well over Becca’s shoulder and went back to her room.

   Returning to her room Cassie felt a draft as she looked around for an open window but scanning around the room saw that they were all closed.  Her eyes caught the closet door which was almost half way open and released a cool breeze. Cassie fully opened the closet door but the only thing she found were a set of pillows and a blanket along with many empty clothes hangers and her suitcase. She noticed the draft had stopped so she closed the door tightly and went to bed. All through the night Cassandra tossed and turned, she woke up once or twice with the feeling of dread but remembered nothing the next morning. She woke up to the sound of running water coming from the bathroom; Becca was up and about.

   Becca knocked on her door.

   ‘Are you up sleepy head?’ 

   ‘I am now’ she replied.

   Becca poked her head through the door.

   ‘Come in, Becky.’

   Rebecca went in to the room and jumped onto Cassie’s bed like an eight year old would.

   ‘I had the best rest ever. That Marina lady was right, it’s a really comfortable room, I slept like a log the whole night through and believe me that is a first! It usually takes me a couple of days to get used to my surroundings!’ Becca stated.

   ‘Can’t say the same, just the opposite’ Cassie replied. ‘I usually fall asleep easily wherever I go but tonight was weird, I fell asleep and I can’t recall anything in particular but I am extremely exhausted as if I haven’t slept at all.’

   ‘Well I can’t imagine why, it’s obvious you got the room with the better mattress, this is so soft and comfortable’ Becca said pressing down on the mattress with her palm.

   ‘Yes I know, right?’

  A knock at their door got their attention. The voice was distinctive. Sam called to them.

   ‘What’s it going to be girls, are we going down for breakfast?’

   Cassandra opened the door.

   ‘Good morning to you too!’ she said

   ‘Wow, you look like hell! Were you cleaning lenses all night long?’ Asked Sarah.

   ‘No, I just didn’t sleep very well but I’ll be fine after a good breakfast, go on ahead, we’ll meet you in ten.’

   ‘Alright then, we’re off’ Sam said.

   Cassandra and Rebecca got ready while the others went down the stairs to the dining room, where to their surprise found themselves to be the only ones there.  The buffet table was long and lavishing with a wide variety of breakfast choices. Everything was fresh and savory.

   ‘Hey Sarah,’ Sam began, ‘what do you think they do with all the left over foods? We are the only ones here, I believe.’

   ‘Sammy, honey, I know you are an inquiring mind, but I can’t put myself in a position to answer that question unless I’ve had at least two cups of tea to wake up and a good breakfast’ she replied.

   ‘Ok, then let’s get eating! I am going to try the domestic cuisine too!’ Sam affirmed.

   There was a platter of dumplings that were plain flour dough mix, fried inn olive oil,   smothered in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. These were a traditional dish in all of Greece. Another platter had cube cut pieces of spanakopita (Greek spinach pie), cheese pie puffs, etc.

   Sam put many different foods on his plate, wanting to taste everything he possibly could. He poured a glass of goat’s milk and a cup of mountain tea. Sarah, on the other hand took a regular English breakfast with some toast, jam and some juice. A cup of Greek coffee was what she would be trying for the first time today. The couple chose a table in the corner and sat down to breakfast.

   ‘Sam, did you see how tired Cassandra was, I think we shouldn’t go to far with the scenery shots today, let’s pretend we’re exhausted and come back early, because  she will never come back if we tell her  she looks tired, she will push herself until she drops, we all know that’ she paused. ‘What do you think, do you agree?’ She asked.

   ‘Actually,’ replied Sam, ‘I agree. I think that is a great idea sweetie, you always come up with great ideas! As soon it’s a little past  three we will start complaining about how tired we are to each other and she will probably give in to our nagging and suggest we get back, herself.’

   At that moment Cassandra and Rebecca showed  up all perky and ready to go. They quickly threw a couple of things onto their plates poured some tea and scurried over to the couple’s table.

   ‘Good morning’ Rebecca said cheerfully.

   ‘Good morning, you look much better today, Cassie’ said Sarah

   ‘Nothing a little make up can’t take care of, love’ Rebecca answered.

    ‘I had her down for three minutes tops and still kept my promise to make her look refreshed, isn’t that right Cassie?’

   ‘You’re damn right it is that, and this cup of coffee will keep me going for the whole day. How’s your breakfast Sam? You seem to be very hungry’ Cassandra said.

   ‘No, I’m not really that hungry but I wanted to try some of the Greek cuisine and ended up not knowing which ones to try first, you’re all welcome to help me out here!’

   Sam kept on eating. The girls started making plans about which parts of the region they would cover first. Cassandra had unfolded a small map and both Sarah and Rebecca paid close attention while she showed them the routes they would be taking to get there. Once they had come to a conclusion Sarah began.

   ‘Cassie, eat up, you need your energy!’

   ‘You know, I probably didn’t sleep that deeply and I’m tired as a result. By the way something really strange happened yesterday when I went into my room it was cold and a draft came through the closet door which at that moment was halfway open. I closed it and this morning I found it wide open again.’ There was a small pause. ‘Were you searching for something Becca?’ she asked.

   ‘No, I haven’t been in your room at all except for this morning when I woke you up’ Becca replied.

   Sam decided to cut in.

   ‘Hey girls, this is a pretty old place. You will all agree with me when I say it’s only natural for the doors to open on their own!’

  The girls laughed.

   ‘Yes, you are probably right so, let’s get a move on and forget about it!’ Cassie exclaimed.

   Just then a very tall handsome man walked into the room and continued towards them. They all stared rudely. As he came to stand right in front of them.

   ‘Good morning and welcome. I am Gregor Dracopoulos. I am the owner of the hostel. I am very sorry I wasn’t here when you arrived yesterday but my appointment could not be postponed. I believe my grandmother Marina made you feel at home, yes?’

   Cassandra was silent, Rebecca too. Sam took the initiative and replied.

   ‘Glad to meet you sir. I am Sam; this is Sarah, my fiancé and her sister Rebecca and over here is our very good friend Cassandra. And yes, we have been shown great hospitality by Mrs. Marina.’

  Cassie was in a trance! She hadn’t taken her eyes off the man for a second. It wasn’t as if she was interested in him and yet she felt an attraction she couldn’t explain.

   ‘I understand you have come all the way from England to take pictures of the region’s nature sites’ Gregor said.

   Sarah spoke out, ‘Yes, Cassie here is a great photographer and she’s competing in a contest that will win her a scholarship. The best wildlife or nature photo of the year contest.’

   ‘Well then Cassandra, I may call you Cassandra?’ He asked.

   Cassandra nodded affirmatively.

   ‘You may all call me Gregor, please. Cassandra, as I was saying, go out today as you have planned and if you would like tomorrow I could escort you to the most  beautiful, hidden from the human eye nature sites that have never been photographed before, absolutely worth the trip. What do you say?’

   Cassandra hesitated to answer but finally spoke out.

   ‘Yes of course, my group and I would love to have you show us the surprises of the region.’

   Inside she was shivering at the thought that he might have meant to only take her to see whatever was out there to see. She knew she couldn’t miss the opportunity but she didn’t want to go out with Gregor alone. She smiled as she was proud of what she had answered.

   ‘I shall meet you all tomorrow then right here, same time. Enjoy your explorations and your stay.’

  Gregor turned and walked away. He was dressed in a pair of jeans, a very tasteful shirt and a blazer with the initial D printed inside a circle embroidered with a gold lining.