The Ritual

Entry in the Goatswood, every picture tells a story competition.

 

Taken at Goatswood Your Rail Ticket

 

Mood

 

Garden of Earthly Delights - Opeth

 

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The Ritual

 

Angelica

 

Henbane

 

Belladonna

 

Bladderwrack

 

 

I spoke the words in my mind as I dropped the foul smelling bundle of herbs into the fire pot set before me on the stone slab. Taking a breath, I spoke out loud the words my great uncle had writen in his journal.

 

Aperi portam

 

Arcesse Servum

 

Latronem in limine arcesso

 

 

The smouldering fire burst into life and the strong smell of sulphur filled the air. Trees creaked and cracked in the wind. I heard what sounded like thunder away in the distance

 

 

Excerpt from the diary of Agatha Crawley October 18th 1874

 

I write this on my way to inspect my unexpected inheritance. I am advised that as the last living relative of Sir Edward Crawley, I have inherited his house and its contents, as well as his considerable estate located around the small village of Goatswood. My great Uncle it seems died recently in mysterious circumstances or from what I understand has been declared dead, no one has seen his body. I took the train from St Pancreas and changed at Mortchester for the branch line to Goatswood. I have a room booked at the strangely named ‘Wild Man’ Public House and am due to meet the housekeeper at 10 in the morning tomorrow.

 

Blood

 

A sharp knife pierced my outstretched hand and drops of crimson blood splattered and fizzled in the flames

 

Bone of the Hanged Man

 

The severed digit, obtained according to my Uncle's Journal from a recent execution, dropped into the bowl

 

The smell of brimstone and sulphur grew stronger, and the sound of the trees in the wind behind me reached a new crescendo. The boughs creaking like some monstrous beast. In the distance behind, what sounded like thunder and maybe the crackle of lightening.

 

 

Excerpt from the diary of Agatha Crawley October 19th 1874

 

Met the housekeeper today and toured my uncle's house, which remains much as it was the day he disappeared. Rooms strewn with arcane writings, a library devoted almost exclusively to the dark arts. The Housekeeper Mrs Sims has made up a room for me and I intend to move to the house tomorrow

 

The air about me seems to crackle, and a grey mist floods the hollow in which the stone circle stands. My eyes focus on the copy of the journal and the smouldering fire pot. Concentrating on the Ritual and ignoring the sounds as the winds increase and the trees crack and moan in response.

 

Excerpt from the diary of Agatha Crawley October 25th 1874

 

The contents of my uncle's journals and diaries are fascinating and intriguing. He appears to have found away to open a portal between realms of existence. I am minded to try and repeat the Experiment. The various herbs and other requirements it seems are all ready obtained, and all that's needed is a quiet place and the correct day.

 

Final excerpt from the diary of Agatha Crawley October 31st, 1874

 

Today is the day. My preparations are complete, and I have the ingredients listed in my great uncle's journal. His papers mention a stone circle in a secluded spot away from the town, and I intend to perform the ritual there. I will write more tomorrow on what occurs.

 

The surrounding air warms and I feel a building sense of unease but remain focused on the words I must say. The sounds behind me seem more distinct now, almost like heavy footsteps. I start to turn and at this moment an obsidian claw curls around my neck. My head turns, and I gaze into the eyes of the horror behind me, the horror I in my foolishness have drawn here. Gently, almost lovingly, it draws me into its embrace and back into the glowing portal whence it came.

 

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Done