The bird-like creature squawked loudly as it dove from the air. It's talons gleamed in the sun as it focused its attack on the man's shoulder. The monster never expected it's target to pivot, partially scale a wall, and leap back at it. Instead of it's talons latching into the man's flesh it was the blade of a hidden weapon that slammed through the monster's skull.
With his counterattack successfully killing the Rablanc Haytham straightened his stance and once more made for the castle. While the locals ran in the opposite direction he wanted to see just what was going on.
It was that adventitious spirit that made him pause and even move closer to the ghostly apparitions when he spotted them. It was a gathering of people, who made no sign of seeing him or even really existing... They could be seen through, much like ghosts really if those things were to be believed.
As he moved to join them he was not acknowledged. He slipped into the crowd easily and the longer he stayed the more he began to understand their strange language. After the second time this figment from the past began to repeat Haytham stepped away.

"It seems the castle has always been the focus of power here. Now... who was it that failed them?"