Her voice dropped to a whisper. "For nearly 500 years, my family has lived here, and the stories of the castle have always been grim. Even the sturdiest knights who dared enter ended up sickly and weak. People say they hear a woman crying at night, or they see fingers reaching out from the well. That's why most of the villagers left—afraid the curse would seep out into the village."
Michael studied her trembling hands and frightened expression. Her account, however fantastical, didn't seem fabricated.
"If it's such a notorious place, why haven't I heard any rumors about it across the region?" he asked.
Osa's reply was humble. "Well, my lord, it's just gossip among us common folk. We've never had the chance to tell anyone important."
