Washed Ashore; Or, The Tower of Stormount Bay

A weather‑worn stone tower crowns a jagged promontory on England’s storm‑tossed southern coast, its bleak silhouette lit by a solitary lantern that pierces the night‑shrouded sea. The tower, a relic of an ancient castle, stands as a steadfast beacon amid crashing waves and winds that have battered the cliffs for centuries. Its grim exterior masks a warm, welcoming interior, offering shelter to any traveler caught in the gale.

Below, a small fishing community clings to the rugged shoreline, where old Lieutenant Cumming greets a familiar, crippled sea‑captain returning from distant wars. Their reunion over a modest supper reveals a bond forged in battle, a promise made to a dying comrade, and the quiet resolve of men who live by duty and faith. As the two men recount their past exploits, the looming tower hints at deeper secrets—smugglers, hidden passages, and the restless tide that may yet draw them into new, uncertain waters.