CROZIER GURNARD

 CROZIER GURNARD

Sweat dripped from his temples as the effort to move the obstruction drained the strength from Crozier Gurnards emaciated limbs.

 His grinding teeth screeched in his clenched mouth and his whole visage grimaced in pain, as he used the last ounce of his strength attempting to move the barrier. He glanced at his wrist watch to ensure he was not early and confirmed that the time was one minute past twelve noon. 

Why wouldn't the pub door budge ?

His beverage awaited him and he needed to be on pole position to prevent unnecessary delays in obtaining the copious refills that would be required over the next few hours. 

One last push and surely the door will open ! 

Finally the door opened and the surprised looking landlord beckoned Crozier to enter. After shuffling through the door and seating himself at what he proudly considered pole position, he ordered his first drink of the day. Swiftly a pint of lager was foaming in front of him and a look of satisfaction enveloped Crozier Gurnards face. 

As he took his first sip of the amber nectar before him he slowly placed his hands in his duffle coat pockets, eventually retrieving a small red note book, held together by a thick rubber band and sweat. Fingering the pages he settle on a page notated "Things to Do" and appraised the list. The first entry was "purchase tickets to Stellenbosch, followed by a second entry "purchase two quarts of Formaldehyde.

Taking a large gulp of lager from his glass he scanned the page for additional actions to be take. His eyes soon became affixed on the last entry that detailed "Contact Dr Theopolis Doyle". A shudder crept down his spine at the realisation that he would soon be in the presence of the nefarious evil Doctor and his band of misfit acolytes.

Crozier Gurnard had met Dr Doyle on a number of occasions and had also been involved with supporting one of the numerous dangerous missions into continental Europe. Although loathing the corpulent Doctor, Crozier admired his guile and forethought when it came to covert enterprises overseas. 

To be continued...... 

THE CRIMSON CATAFALQUE

 THE CRIMSON CATAFALQUE

All was quite as the faithful silently and slowly filled past the catafalque. 

The human centipede snaked  through the cathedral and out of the main door , continuing around the paternoster square and stretched in to the dim distance beyond. The cathedral bells tolled on the mark and trumpeters serenaded the procession at equal intervals. The solemn scene was observed from on high by Cardinal Cheval, whilst sat at his throne like seat atop the tower of tears.

The Cardinal had wasted no time in ensuring that his favourite would be enthroned as the next Margrave, but was unwilling to let proceeding take there natural course. He was impatient for power and lusted over its ability to provide him with his darkest desires.

 His communion with Belial had been at an early age. When encountering a commune of lepers that had taken over a disused flint mine, he succeeded in raping and butchering countless unfortunates as he tortured their brethren. He had felt the presence of evil as he approached the abandoned mine, and gathered his thoughts in a small hovel close to its entrance. Out of the dim corners of the hovel, a huge ethereal angelic edifice materialised in front of him.    

To be continued.....

.

THE RIPPLE JACQUERIE

 THE RIPPLE JACQUERIE

The calix was alleged to be buried in the lower field. However, its exact location was lost in the mists of time.

The Lower field had been farmed by Old Joe Crudd for as long as people could remember, and he was loathed to let any one accompany him on any of his strips. Rotating barley, hops and peas, with oats corn and pasture, enabled him to cultivate his field without loss of nutriments or substance. 

However, it had long been rumoured that the middle section of the field, consisting of a three or four strips, was the home to an unknown buried treasure. The substance behind the rumour was contained in an ancient document that had mysteriously appeared pinned to the local church notice board. It stated that the previous owners of the field were linked to the Knights Templers, and that a hoard of treasure had been hidden during their persecution, and never recovered. 

St Herbert's church rector, Father Benedict denied all knowledge of the manuscript and swore an oath before the local Bishop and magistrate to that effect.  This angered the villagers who believed that the church was stirring up trouble in an attempt to obtain the treasured lost chalice of St Finglesham.  The chalice, also known in ancient documents as a Calix, was associated with the barbarian invasion of Britain after the retreat of the Romans, and was believed to have been transported to Kent by the Jutes.

The Jutes had settled in Kent and Kingdom of Kent had become their stronghold within the British Isles. Joe Crudd was indeed a descendent of these invaders, and carried the same DNA as the marauding seafaring Jutes, originating from Jutland,  Flanders and the adjacent Dutch coast. 

Father Benedict was familiar with the legends of the buried treasure as he had had access to the Latin manuscripts interned within the churches crypt. These scrips were also translated in to a variety of early Germanic languages including those spoken by the Jutes. Although he had denied this knowledge to his inquisitors, it was memorised so thoroughly within his brain that no further study would be required. However, Joe Crudd was aware of this denied knowledge and awaited the rectors next move.    

To be continued...