Island

They bought an island, it was a bargain, north of Orkney with its own Stone Circle, absolutely beautiful isolation. Pwere was from wave-power and wind turbine and solar panels and there was an orchard and garden, but food and supplies would be boated in when required. They hired a boat to take them to and from the island from Orkney, but apart from the sales brochure there was nothing about the island's history or the ancient stones, buildings and ruins on the island.

It was roughly two miles long and a mile wide with small hills and no roads but the odd track. Everywhere was walkable and the main house had everything that they needed to live in comfort, including satellite communications so they were not totally cut off.

It had been a dream of theirs to have their own island, though not tropical this held an air of mystery and mystique and the scenery was absolutely beautiful. Although it had once had a small village there were no people on the island now, just some birds and wild sheep and rabbits.

This was a place to get away from city life, maybe share with family and friends for a time of quiet to recharge their batteries and enjoy the quiet peace of isolation.

Their first stay was going to be for two weeks, they had never been away from their townhouse in the city for more than a week, but it had always been to tropical and continental holiday resorts, this was a completely different type of holiday.

They got off their chartered boat, with suitcases and walked up to the cottage. They first of all built up a fire, although they had electric heating provided by the many power sources they had on the island, the fire made them feel really at home.

There were no takeaways or restaurants so they had to make dinner from the food they had brought with them and ate as they watched a film from their satellite-connected television.

Before bed, they walked outside and saw the stone circle under the moon and stars, with no light pollution. They had never seen so many stars.

The only sounds were the wind and the waves against the shoreline, no cars or nightlife.

After a long day, it was time for bed and they got under the covers and drifted off to a deep sleep.

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When they woke they were tied to a stake in the center of the stone circle. with straw sheafs piled against them and a crowd of people with wooden masks and flaming torches stood before them. Although they had gone to be at ten o'clock the night was dark lit only by the torches of their captors.

Then one of them spoke:

"Thank you, Lord of the Isle, for this gift of sacrifice that we now give to you in gratitude for keeping this sacred place safe for us"

They then lit the straw with their burning torches ..