K.L.Caley’s #WRITEPHOTO – Chess.

Welcome to the weekly #writephoto prompt! This week Morgarna and Gail have to return to sort out a poltogiest they missed while sorting thousands of souls caught in a Chandelier… What can I say shit happens!

Chess

For visually challenged writers, the image shows a red and blue chessboard with gigantic chess peices on it.

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Morgarna and Gail were sitting in the kitchen eating bacon sandwiches and drinking coffee when Merlin crashed in. “Ladies I have problems showing up back at the house we visited last week! I have some really strange readings emanating from there.” As Merlin finished speaking he pinched half a bacon sandwich from Morgarna’s plate.
“Oi! Put that back I was enjoying it” Morgarna shouted lashing out at him.
Looking her straight in the eye Merlin replied, “just looking out for your waistline babes you don’t want to spoil your figure do you?”
Gail’s eyes grew like saucers as she watched Morgan’s face …….”Oh! My ” she thought, ” that did not go down well!”
Morgarna took a sideswipe at Merlin as he ducked out of the kitchen.

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“Okay” Morgarna said as she entered the lab “what’s the problem with the house then?”
“Well it’s the painting”
Morgarna cut in there, wagging her finger. “We told you there was something odd about it ..did you listen, did you hell! Hang on didn’t you notice any problems on the E.R. I thought you checked the dining room out thoroughly? “
“I did Morgs but obviously whatever this is hid itself well.”
“Well it’s no good fussing about the whys and wherefores Merlin what’s the problem? “
Merlin bit his lip as Morgarna lit a cigarette and took a drag, then he carried on ” I think you should take Gail with you this time, it’s another spirit that we need to cross over and this time it’s a poltergeist so it could be tricky! “
Merlin called through to the kitchen and asked Gail to join them both.

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Later after they had discussed the matter and formed a plan Gail and Morgarna jumped back to the 1930s.
They arrived in the garden at about 6pm just as the light was fading. “Excellent timing the guests will be getting dressed for dinner and all the staff will be busy either preparing clothes or food”
They went into the house via one of the side doors and headed down to the cellar.
As they went further down the stairs the temperature dropped dramatically and they could hear a strange humming sound.
“What’s that noise? ” Asked Gail
“The electric metres ….poltogiests love electricity and feed off of it” Morgarna replied “they love water and lay lines too and I bet your bottom dollar there are all three hereabouts!” Morgarna replied lighting a cigarette.

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The cellar was absolutely freezing actually it was -4c so Morgarna reached into her bag and pulled out two heavy fur lined cloaks and handed one to Gail, who gratefully put it on . “How does that bag actually work?” asked Gail wide eyed.
Morgarna laughed, “Not unlike any hand bag really, stuff goes in, stuff comes out the only difference being…”
“Magic” interrupted Gail.
“No science” Laughed Morgarna. ” “Time and space displacement, not unlike the TARDIS in your beloved Dr Who”
“Wicked ” giggled Gail, “your bags a tardis can I have one? “
“No” replied Morgarna then she raised her hand to silence Gail, who was about to argue.

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As they entered the cellar Morgarna felt along the wall and found the light switch. She could hear the electric buzzing away so she gingerly flicked it on . They were greeted by the sight of a red and blue chessboard set on a wooden floor with gigantic matching chess pieces on it. The walls where of hewn stone and the small barred windows made the place look like a castle dungeon…. Which made Morgarna shudder.

“Morgarna, are you okay?” Gail was shaking her and looking very concerned. “Morgarna”
“Yes Gail , sorry I’m okay I was back in that dungeon where that alien entity tried to steal my powers….sorry I am okay now.” She lit another cigarette and leant against the wall. That’s when they noticed the painting turned in to face the wall showing only the back.
“There it is” said Gail … ” I can feel it’s pain, it’s seeping out and leeking into these chess pieces… Look they are moving around to face us… Morgarna we are surrounded! “

Chess.

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Morgarna and Gail stood back to back surrounded by the red chess pieces… The blue were just standing in their places murmuring Morgarna could just about make out what they were saying ” help us we are so tired , please let us go!”
Morgarna felt cold and hot all at once and then the chess board began to spin.
Gail and Morgarna linked fingers and began to chant Morgarna stubbed out her cigarette this was time to concentrate this spirit meant business!

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This is part of K.L.Caley’s #writephoto Chess.

K.L.Caley’s #writephoto: Chandelier.

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Entering the dining room Gail and Morgarna caused quite a stir ! Both in their flapper dresses and their bobbed hair, Morgarna was delighted she could smoke and squealed with delight when Merlin handed her a beautiful black and silver cigarette holder… “Here babes complete the part!” He smiled. They were greeted by the head waiter, a very tall and handsome man who lead them to a beautiful table over by the far wall. Above the table there was large crystal laden chandelier with a rather creepy portrait below it.

Chandelier

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Gail was delighted by the whole affair, the high tea with champagne was a whole new world to her ! As were the beautifully dressed people on the dance floor.
“What is this” she asked wide-eyed ” Everyone, even the orchestra look so posh”
“It’s a tea dance Gail” replied Morgarna, sitting back and enjoying a smoke.
A young man made his way up to the table and asked Gail to dance , she was so excited and readily agreed.
Once the young couple were on the dance floor Morgarna lent across to Merlin and asked “Okay Merlin why are we here and it’s not by chance, so what’s the story?”

“Really babes I just wanted to treat you to a little luxury and I couldn’t have left Gail out could I?” Merlin ended with a smile and a shrug of the shoulders.
Morgarna nearly choked on her scone… “Last time we had a cream tea you lumbered me royally why would I trust you now….Babes? “
Merlin smiled, “Another glass of bubbly, and I will come clean when Gail gets back .”

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“So is it the painting?” Asked Gail looking at it…. “It’s rather dark isn’t it?”
“It is indeed dark but no it’s not the painting the problem is the chandelier.”

Morgarna lit a cigarette and pushed back her chair “yes she said I can feel it ….there is something really not quite right about it Merlin and you sir know exactly what the problem is! “
Gail stopped pouring herself another cup of tea and shivered. ” I feel it too every one of those crystals is a trapped soul, I can hear them screaming for help.”
Merlin said “Yes ladies we really have got a job on here.”
“Well” said Morgarna “I guess we just need to set them free, some of these have been trapped for hundreds of years! “
Merlin smiled and nodded as he added, “And I knew this is just the job you’ve always longed for mil-lady” he finished with a grin and a bow, offering Morgarna his hand.
Morgarna stubbed out her cigarette, gave a squeal of delight, lifted her skirt and pushing Merlin’s hand aside she climbed up on to the chair!

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The entire dinning room was suddenly stunned into a shocked silence as Morgarna champagne bottle in one hand and chandelier in the other swung around from the chandelier her skirts revealing silk stockings and suspenders and thankfully for all present a pair of satin knickers… luckily not one of Morgarna’s commando days!

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After a few minutes as Gail jumped up and down excitedly there was a creaking from the ceiling, as the rose cracked and the chandelier fell to the floor and smashed into a thousand pieces. Morgarna had leaped clear! Then Merlin waived his hand and a white light filled the room, all the tea dance guest were frozen in time as thousands of souls and spirits escaped from the crystal shards on floor. They all looked so grateful to finally be free. Morgarna chanted a spell and a door in the far corner of the room opened and Gail ushered all the souls towards the door.

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After an hour all the souls had gone through the door and Merlin had swept the room with the E.R. to make sure no soul or spirit had been overlooked. The dinning room was completely restored to its glory! Merlin had magically repaired the chandelier and it was back in situe, Morgarna had wiped all the guests memories, some would say gratefully, of her antics.
The anomaly arrived and Merlin, Morgarna and Gail jumped!
As they left Morgarna clicked her fingers and everyone woke up and carried on where they had left off. All where left wondering why the tea was so cold?

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Later that evening when all the guests were either in their rooms or gone home, there was a quiet thud as the painting beneath the chandelier slide down the wall and hit the floor.
In the morning the maids were confounded by the dark black goo running down the wall onto the carpet. ……

This is part of K.L.Caley’s #writephoto: Chandelier.

K.L.Caley’s : #WRITEPHOTO – Restoration.

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Restoration – Image by KL Caley

For visually challenged writers, the image shows a large home with pay windows and pillared doorways but it’s all fallen into a dilapidated state.

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Well after a few days sorting out some naughty monks and hapless nuns, Morgana arrived back in the present and was met by a contrite Merlin who had rather dumped the last job on her! This week finds them back in the here and now and after a fun weekend at Glastonbury they are contemplating buying an old house ….. But why?

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Monday afternoon Merlin and Morgarna arrived back after having had a ball at Glastonbury… Morgarna was admittedly a tad more worse for wear than Merlin but he always held back a tad!
They were just approaching the building where their lab and flat is when Merlin took a slight detour and parked outside a large house with bay windows and pillared doorways but sadly in a dilapidated state..
Morgarna who had been snoozing looked up and said…”Why are we here Merls this place always looks so depressing”

Restoration – Image by KL Caley.

“Yes Hun it does ” Merlin replied “but it’s go so much potential, it’s so large and the rooms are so unusual there is loads of land with it and at the moment it’s going for a song” shifting in his seat he smiled at Morgarna and then continued ” the lab and flat are fine but a tad cramped and this ‘Pile’ could be just perfect. We’d do the inside up and make everything safe and sound I think it could be an absolute boon”

Morgarna was awake now and taking an interest, lighting a cigarette she opened the car door and stepped out. “Can we have a look round” she asked… “Yup I have got the keys as it goes” Merlin smiled. ” Who needs keys?” called Morgarna as she walked through the nearest window . Merlin tutted as he fiddled with the keys opening the front door, before he entered he scanned the street to make sure no one had seen Morgarna’s vanishing trick.

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Morgarna was immediately taken with the space, the number of rooms, the cellar, the attic , looking at the boarded windows she could see it would be a beautifully light place
“So much potential” she shouted to Merlin , who immediately agreed . “It will be perfect for Morgause when she is well enough to visit ” Morgarna continued. Hearing footsteps behind her she turned to great Merlin but it was not Merlin.
It was a woman, definitely Edwardian, Morgarna thought. The woman was deathly pale but she still had a light in her eyes. She smiled at Morgarna and introduced herself, “Hello Morgarna I have heard all about you from Merlin, I am Lady Esther Cavenah”
“Well hello Esther, can I call you Esther? “, Esther nodded. Morgarna continued, “How long have you been trapped here and are you alone?” Esther drew in breath and said ” there are four of us and we have been here for two hundred years. We have been fine while the house was occupied and even empty but now it’s up for sale and we fear whoever might buy our home, especially if they intend to demolish it.”
“Well we have no intentions of demolishing this place” said Merlin as he joined the ladies in the hall. Morgarna and Esther turned to look at him, “Will you and your housemates be staying or would you like to leave, I mean either way it’s fine with us” Merlin ended on a smile which annoyed Morgarna. “Will you stop saying we , you’ve not consulted me on anything at all as per bloody usual” Morgarna lit another cigarette and then turned to Esther and added “As it stands even though I had no idea about this “project” of Merlin’s I am in full agreement to you and the others doing your own thing.”
Esther smiled at them both and said, “Well as it stands none of us seem able to leave we were hoping you’d let us stay until we can sort out what ever it is that is holding us here. We’d be very grateful”
Morgarna asked Esther if they could leave the house at all, “I can’t but Gail can go in the garden and Tom and James can go anywhere they like in the area. But none of us seem to be able cross. Often we see the door and it’s open but however hard we try we cannot cross.”
“Ah! That’s very odd isn’t it but I am sure we can help, has Merlin told you we are time travelling immortals” Morgarna asked, Esther nodded.
Just then a young woman came up the stairs. “Hi I’m Gail, you must be Morgarna and Merlin, it’s really fab to meet Immortals” she said winking a heavily black lined eye looking more like *Twiggy than Twiggy, in her green mini dress and white knee length P.V.C. boots and heavy make up.
“You’ve just missed Tom and James they have gone out , I don’t know why they bother they can’t do much while they are out there” Gail said pouting.
“Well” said Morgarna “can you guys eat and drink? ” Esther and Gail nodded, and Esther added while we are in here we can”
“Right” said Morgarna “fetch us a couple of bottles of wine Merls I spotted some nice ones in the cellar. Do either of you smoke ladies? “
Merlin fetched the wine and broke his no magic rule and conjured up some glasses and Morgarna ordered in a Chinese using her mobile. The four of them sat in the old kitchen discussed their next moves.

*Twiggy : Dame Lesley Lawson DBE (née Hornby; born 19 September 1949) is an English model, actress, and singer, widely known by the nickname Twiggy. She was a British cultural icon and a prominent teenaged model during the swinging ’60s in London. More information here.

This is part of K.L.Caley’s #writephoto

K. L. Caley #WRITEPHOTO – Den and Door.

Hi everyone Morgarna and Merlin went AWOL last week but to make up for that they have given me a twofaone episode!

This is part of K.L.Caleys #writephoto.

For visually challenged writers, the image shows a sign in the foreground with the words ‘Den Building’ on it. In the background is a den made of leaves and branches.

Den – Image by KL Caley.

Morgarna wrapped her cloak tightly around her body to protect herself against the evening chill. Stopping she lit a cigarette while she collected her thoughts.
Looking through the bushes she could see what looked like a child’s den. Carefully and as quietly she could she approached the den. She was still acutely aware that she was not alone.
Suddenly she felt someone or something touch her cloak. Spinning round she came face to face with a young lad of about fifteen.
“What are you doing creeping around my home” he asked in a refined accent that really belied his attire “
“Well ” Morgarna replied “I actually have business with your parents young man, are they at home ?”
The young man shrugged his shoulders “if you mean are they in the den then yes they are.”
Putting out her cigarette and offering the lad her hand she Introduced herself as Morgarna Le Fey.”
After shaking hands they both entered the den.

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Morgarna was pleasantly surprised by the interior of the den, it was surprisingly cosy. With a couple of chairs a table and some bedding to one side.
There were three other children one a babe in arms held tightly by a nervous looking woman who was obviously not used to living like this! Her husband too was regarding Morgarna with caution.
“Mr and Mrs Devereau how are you l am Morgarna and I am here to help you.” Finishing with a smile that she hoped would put everyone at ease.
“Please madam, come in and take a seat. Though how you can help us I fail to see.” replied Mr Devereau with a frown. Turning to the young lad he said, “William, fetch us some water and let’s have some tea.’
William, turned on his heels and picking up a bucket left the den.

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Morgarna open her bag and got her notes out. ” I see , Mr and Mrs Devereau that you have been thrown out of your home by uncle Percival who has taken command of your money and all your buisness affairs and thrown you both out penniless. This cannot be allowed to happen as one of your children, and I cannot say who, has an important part to play in history. ” Raising a hand to silence Mr and Mrs Devereau, she continued. ” So I need to know as much as I can about your house and your current situation then I can set about righting recent events.

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The next morning Morgarna and William approached Oldstoke House. “Well this is a very impressive house ” Morgarna said as they approached the the rear entrance through the kitchen gardens.
Just as they reached the servants entrance Morgana noticed the ice house just off to the left. It was a round building, large and made of hewn stone, giving the appearance of a castle turret.

Door – Image by KL Caley. For visually challenged writers, the image shows a grey wooden traditional door set amongst some stone walls.

Catching William by the arm she asked him, “Wills, can I call you Wills?” William nodded and smiled. “Is there, by any chance a tunnel from the ice house to the Main House.”
William, smiled and nodded , “Father always said there was apparently it’s been there since the days of the Round Heads and Chaviliers civil war! and it’s connected to a priest hole in the Library. The thing is Morgarna I don’t know where the entrance to the tunnel is in there ” William’s face crumpled with concern.
“Don’t you worry about that Wills I will be able to find it, no worries and as for the house I have the plans of that on my mobile….I mean in my instructions” She said smiling at William then as if she had a sudden thought she added. “Do you know where the key to the ice house is Wills?”
Smiling broadly William nodded , “Yes I do, there is a spare on top of the door lintel , cook is always leaving hers hanging up in the kitchen!”
Excellent thought Morgarna, “Now you get back to your parents Wills, I can manage from here! We will soon have things back how they should be!

As William headed back to the woods and the den, Morgarna lit a cigarette and had a couple of sluggs of Bacardi and coke from her flask. I think I will just have a few minutes in the sun before I begin the task in hand.

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Cigarette finished Morgana reached her arm up to the top of the lintel and found the key. She opened the door replaced the key and went in.