Sian Anderson, a mystery writer, leaves her lover John for three weeks in the lonely Greek town of Monemvassia, where she will be writing nonstop. The rotund eccentric landlord Elias Appleby greets her upon her arrival in the ancient and deserted fortress, where she is guided through unknown underground corridors to the mansion where she would be working. After dark, he warns her to stay inside because of the deadly winds that would approach after dark. She obeys his advice.