MINDFUL MALEVOLENT MADNESS -

DISCOVERING THE WORLD

OF GRIMM HOLLOW AND BEYOND

December 1888: Outskirts of South London, England, Weatherby Estate, Charles Henry Weatherby's guest study room, a meeting of the Inner Circle of the Curious English Gentlemen and their female guests – an occultist's account and chronicled tales of all that follows:

Lord Charles Henry Weatherby

Sir William Wallace McGregor

Sir Jacob Stanley Evesham

Sir Gerard Harold Mosley

Lord Percival Perrewyn Montgomery

Sir Sebastian Titus Churchill

Lord Oliver Carlos Rivera

Duke Romaine Brennan Castellanine

Lady Victoria Belle Weatherby

Lady Jane Margret Montgomery

Lady Bethany Rose Poirot

Lady Ellie May Valencias

Fenris-Caesar: the guardian ancient greater hellhound – Lady Victoria's life long protector

AN OCCULTISTS ACCOUNT OF EVENTS OF THE TWELVE TRAVELERS FROM EARTH: -

THE CHRONICLED ADVENTURES OF THE INNER CIRCLE OF THE CURIOUS ENGLISH GENTLEMEN

PROLOGUE:

THE WORLD PORTAL

"Charles. It is midnight and a cold wintry night. May I ask why you have called the inner circle here to your estate? It is most irregular and somewhat troubling that you would risk our identities becoming known to hostile antagonists."

"William Wallace McGregor. As ever the worrier of our little group. Your protesting manner speaks ill of your commitment to the inner circle, Will. Your protest is duly noted and considered."

"Then for what reason are we all present, Charles?" Jacob Stanley Evesham asked calmly and in somewhat of an amused manner.

"I have opened the world portal. It awaits our perusal and usage. The time has come gentlemen. Do we not seek the answers to that old goal of ours. Where does the portal lead and into what world will we find ourselves once we cross the portal's barrier.

This could be a revelation the likes of which our wider community of privileged gentlemen can only hope in their wildest dreams to uncover. We stand upon the precipice of long forgotten knowledge and forbidden discovery of ancient earth and its connection to other worlds."

"What part do we play in your scheming machinations, Charles? We have discussed this very subject on numerous occasions and all were in agreement that we would discover all we could about our destination before even considering teleporting ourselves into unfathomable danger across time and space." Gerard Harold Mosley questioned.

Lord Percival Perrewyn Montgomery coughed loudly to draw attention to himself and let everyone present know how uncomfortable he felt in the company of the full contingent of The Inner Circle of the Curious English Gentlemen without actually troubling himself to speak.

He turned a greater shade of red as all eyes turned to him. H was met with universally amused looks at the bumbling buffoon as he fought for the right words in this rare show of interest as he dragged himself away from the oft visited Far Orient Opium Den run by his dear friend Lang Lo Po. He could be found in the seedier underbelly of London's slums where he was a well known and respected visitor. What else would bring him joy from the proceeds of his twenty five plantations in the Far East.

"Yes, Percy. You have something you wish to say?" Charles queried trying not to laugh at just how difficult on some occasions Percy found himself unable to simply string together a coherent sentence.

Sensing the poor man's unease. Lady Jane spoke for him and he nodded to the young lady to speak on his behalf. A most disturbing spectacle the other gentlemen thought to themselves.

"When do we leave, Charles?" She asked with a million or more other curious questions on her mind.

Sir Sebastian looked at her as though she had proposed they visit the realms of infernal hell.

"You can't possibly mean these young ladies are going with us, Charles. It could be dangerous. What if their honour is compromised in some way. It simply will not do, Charles. They should be married by now to suitable well to do gentlemen."

"Your concern is noted, Sebastian."

Murderous looks of incredulity were cast by the four female companions. All looked like they wanted to argue their point. But the look on Charles's face was not one that looked like he wanted to have to nursemaid hurt feelings, his or theirs.

"Enough with the idle banter. This is the most serious task and endeavour we have considered undertaking. At the very least we must consider the possibility we can not return. I have taken it upon myself to use the circle's funding to prepare for our adventurous trek into the unknown. Our equipment, supplies, provisions await us in barn. Our transport is all prepared and saddled as are the pack mules. The hunting hounds will accompany us as another level of security. Our chosen weapons are ready for use and packed alongside the equipment.

Everything else I would consider necessary for this journey has been packed and readied. Anything you wish to add you must consider the practicality of overburdening the horses and pack mules. Each of us will have two strong and well chosen steeds and four pack mules each. There will be an extra twelve pack mules to carry the foodstuff and fresh water for the mules and horses.

We have six wagons, drawn by four draft horses each. These will be our main source of transport and shelter from the environment. We have three twelve man tents for setting up base camp in whatever place we find ourselves in and twelve two man tents for forays into the wilderness where moving base camp often is not needed or advisable.

I propose that four gentlemen use one tent, four in another tent and as you now know the four ladies will be accompanying us and will share the third tent. We have blankets and the necessary equipment for the mounts and pack mules as well as the twelve hunting hounds.

All this preparation and procurement has cost a considerable amount but I can assure you the benefits of our journey will be worth the time, money, effort and commitment to our task. Of all like minded circles in London we will be the first to leave Earth behind and explore another world. The portal is opened and awaits us in the ancient stone circle we had moved to the grounds of the estate from Scotland. All is ready dear friends. I propose a good nights rest and leaving early in the morning after breakfast.

Do not disappoint your fellow explorers, ladies and gentlemen. We must do this. The time is right and a great number of adventures in the beyond await us. Twelve weeks worth of rugged warm traveling attire has been acquired for each of us. I took the liberty of obtaining your measurements from your clothes suppliers.

I have taken the liberty of procuring precious gems, gold and various other valuable trading materials that another society may be willing to barter for. I have had all relevant ancient texts and artefacts placed in the wagons for our use as needed. Various alchemy reagents and natural herbal ingredients and medicinal items and medical texts from various sources for a considerably long journey and long time away from home have been secured on the wagons among the other traveling gear.

We can discuss any further matters in the study with a fine glass of wine. Each wagon has six crates of thirty bottles of the finest wine and spirits I could find. We have four weeks worth of fine delicatessen food in specially prepared frozen containers. We have six months worth of traveling rations consisting of dried and preserved foodstuffs of many sorts. We have barrels of various fruit and vegetables.

We have a generous supply of ammunition for all our weapons should we need them. Melee weapons, firearms, hunting weapons and items as well as a supply of snares and traps for hunting and protecting the base camp. We have tools and equipment for work and repair. And foldable cages for hunting and livestock. Everyone has fishing gear and will take it upon themselves to learn to hunt and fish if they are not already knowledgeable of such pursuits.

We have various items of protection. Such as armour, occult and religious charms and artefacts uncovered around the world from ancient ruins and burial sites as well as tombs and settlements. We have procured many vials of healing and curing of different ailments from the Inner Circle of Preservation, Learning, Healing and Medicine.

Bless those fine tireless hard working ladies and gentlemen for their dedication to the healing arts. A necessary and much needed and admired organization in such times of the occult, demonology, witchcraft and paranormal occurrences and situations. We have scrolls of learning inscribed with various incantations and spells. We have several powerful weapons acquired at great expense from collectors and experts in their field."

"Now, ladies and gentlemen. Are we in agreement?"

All said yes in agreement and the pact of the inner circle was made and chronicled.

The early morning arrived with the drizzle, mist and snow.

All dressed in rugged thick warm clothing as supplied. Full length traveling coats and waterproof fur lined hooded cloaks. Heavy and sturdy walking boots. Same for all of them. Man or woman. Thick woollen gloves. Heavy woollen travel blankets for the journey ahead.

All were fit and healthy between the ages of twenty to forty. The backpacks were extra large and packed into them was roughly one hundred pounds of gear each. Group hikes and camping trips every weekend for years ensured they were all able to carry their heavy burdens for long periods of time.

The mood was an excitable mixture of youthful curiosity and seasoned knowledge at the coming journey.

Several hours later the wagons were ready to move. Two to each wagon. The horses and pack ponies were tied evenly in number to each wagon. The hounds in their waterproof woollen winter coats and each carrying a small casket barrel of whiskey around his neck followed obediently at the side of the wagons.

All was ready and the time for doubts had passed. The twenty foot high, forty foot wide shimmering portal filled the entirety of the space inside the carefully placed ancient stone circle. So carefully transported all the way from the Highlands of Scotland.

With shouts of wonder and joy the first wagon entered the portal. Each of the wagons followed through until all were gone from sight.

Arthur Roberts and Saul Paterson stood looking from the barn at the portal. The two groundsmen seemingly not rattled by the spectacle.

"Well what on Earth was all them shenanigans about, Saul?" Arthur questioned.

"Don't rightly know, Old fella. Do you think they'll be back for dinner. I'll tell missus to cook them up some beef and vegetable stew. And get a warm drink of ale ready. Some strange goings on in London lately."

"Perhaps we've all been bewitched."

"Could be, Friend. No point staying around here until they get back. Off to pub I am. Ya coming with, Pal. I'll buy first pint."

"Just fancy a pint of ale and one of old Millie's shepherds pies."

"That's the spirit. They'll be back before ya know it."

"Come on. Lets get out of here. Too bloody cold to be stood around."

"Missus will bloody kill me if I get home drunk."

"What are ya? Man or mouse. Your house and your rules. Put the old girl in her place."

"Are you mad? She scares the pants off me. Savage she is when you. When we're … Well you know."

"Don't wanna know. Ya putting me off me pint. Bloody hell, that vision in my head now. Thanks a lot."

"Ah, stop moaning. Come on, opening time soon."

"So it is. Where were they going, to market?"

"Market? Sure it wasn't Margate they said."

"Don't know friend. Lets go. Young urns today. Always off gallivanting around."

"Rich folk. Good employers and pay well. Bought some new boots this week. Others were getting a bit tatty. Rich folk. Too much time to spare. Nowt for em to do."

"Well we got work in morning. Lets get to pub and drink a toast to our clueless employers."

"Bless the crazy bastards. Do ya really think them stones lead to Margate."

"Learn something new every day."

"Let's go."

"Don't need to tell me twice. Cant wait for me pie and ale."