23 May 1870, Monday
Yesterday the under sea boat was finally floated and hoisted about the ship. Edward was quite beside himself with excitement at the success. Sir Cosmo seemed nearly as giddy. The ship steamed away from the island late last night, and we are on our way to the port of Praia to take on more coal.
This morning Miss Chigwidgeon asked me for additional lessons in fighting. She also asked if I would teach her how to properly worship Kali. I said I would do my best. After the daily fight lesson, we began with the morning prayer. I thought it best to start there, since it involves the least formula, and consists mostly of thinking of every person one loves and asking the goddess to keep them safe.
There was a slightly awkward moment when I recited my usual morning prayer, since Miss Chigwidgeon herself is customarily the first name I mention. I hope, perhaps, that any suspicions this might otherwise have aroused were somewhat alleviated by the fact that Edward is usually the second, Mr. Graves third, and Owen about fourth or fifth.
For the last several evenings, Miss Chigwidgeon and Sir Cosmo have taken a walk around the perimeter of the ship several times, with Miss Whitnell as a chaperone. Tonight's walk was confined to the lower after deck, since, with the ship under full steam, the breeze on the foredeck is a bit too brisk for comfort.
Her face lights up when they are together, as does his. I do not know how it is that they don't each see how much affection the other holds for them. I sense a profound paradox in my question. I will meditate on it to see what truth the goddess may reveal to me within.
24 May 1870, Tuesday
The port city of Praia is an interesting blend of cultures. Sir Cosmo led an expedition of most of the League into the marketplace. I was able to purchase a few objects with which to show Miss Chigwidgeon how to make a personal shrine. I have spent part of this evening stinging flower petals and beads.
25 May 1870, Wednesday
Lt. Lochsley has found a new way to astound me. He appears to be genuinely smitten with Mrs. Cuthbert. I had not thought the man capable of such discerning taste. I had expected him to continue to indescriminately throw himself at every woman of the league, like a child who is presented with many choices and wishes to sample all, but not take the responsibility of any.
After the daily exercises today, Miss Chigwidgeon practised the morning prayer while stringing a flower necklace. Some of the other ladies were interested in the activity, and had almost as many questions about personal shrines as Miss Chigwidgeon.
26 May 1870, Thursday
Miss Chigwidgeon seems intent on exploring all aspects of her spiritual natures. She has asked Mr. Ramsay, Mrs. Cuthbert, and Miss Whitnell to teach her the ways of Magicks.
Her lessons progress very well. I showed her today a simple Removal of Obstacles ritual. I think she thought I was going to teach her how to focus her strength the way I did when I broke Edward's pry bar. But when she learned it was a ritual of self-purification to proceed prayers and meditation, she seemed eager to learn more.
27 May 1870, Friday
This morning we sighted land off the "starboard" side of the ship. Lt. Pellew informs that it is one of the Channel Islands and a bit of the shore of France, though the region's name escapes me. Not long after those faded from sight on one side of the ship, the shore of Britain itself became visible on the other side.
During their evening walk, Sir Cosmo pointed on some lights on the shore, explaining which towns they were. He was soon telling Miss Chigwidgeon about the shore further north, near the home of his grandfather.
28 May 1870, Saturday
We pulled into port in the early morning, just before breakfast time. This is the first time I have seen Harwich in the daylight. There was much unloading to be done. Sir Cosmo and some of the others went ashore with the captain to make a report to a naval officer. Telegrams were sent to London about our return.
They returned the the ship, by which time I and some of the sailors had loaded all of the luggage upon several carts. Lt. Wooster received orders to return to London, where the Ordinance Office requires him. Captain Rodgers seemed genuinely saddened to lose Wooster. Mr. Kirati tells me that the captain is a wise man. I must admit that Wooster behaved bravely at every turn or our outlandish adventure.
Mrs. Cuthbert and Lt. Lochsley had a rather drawn out farewell. He has orders to remain with the Griffin.
Coaches awaited to carry us to the train station, and so we moved the length of the docks. A strange thing happened as we left the dock. When Dr. Wilson stepped upon the soil of the shore I felt something. A subtle vibration in the earth itself. Some of the others sensed it as well. At that same moment, a raven leapt into the air from some spot on the ground not far from us. I had not noticed the creature before, and as Owen had already run ahead to the coaches, I find it difficult to believe such a large bird had not attracted his attention.
The bird flew straight up, without cawing or calling out in anyway. Miss Whitnell pointed the bird out to Mrs. Cuthbert, who immediately pronounced it "an angry spirit." Mr. Ramsay was saying something about a spell to Dr. Wilson when Dr. Wilson pulled one of his guns and shot the raven.
The rocket flew straight and true, exploding when it hit the bird. As the smoke clear we saw, not the charred feathers fluttered to earth which I had expected, but an entire flock of ravens, continuing to fly in the direction the single raven had been flying -- south west. Toward London.
Miss Whitnell and Mr. Ramsay told the others they had seen the aura of the ground ripple when Dr. Wilson stepped upon it. They suspected a spell have been cast to alert someone when Dr. Wilson returned to Britain. This was clearly not a good omen.
As we were loading the luggage upon the coaches, Miss Whitnell questioned Dr. Wilson about his past acquaintances, particularly any sorcerers or shaman he might have angered earlier in his career. Meanwhile, the prisoners, Yeardsley, Vanderlay, and Dawkins, were being led off the ship in leg irons. Miss Chigwidgeon saw them and glared, then smiled as if thinking that it was fitting punishment.
Mr. Kirati spoke to her then, of the importance of not holding grudges. He said grudges were like young chickens which always come home to roost. She thanked him for the advice, and said that she had learned that particular lesson long ago.
The train trip to London was mostly uneventful. Miss Sinclair had purchased a newspaper before boarding the train, and while reading it discovered a report of a series of murders in London, specifically in Stepney. Since Stepney includes Wapping and Limehouse, the stronghold of my former employer, I was quite interested. The murders did not sound like His work, however. They might have been bloody enough, but He seldom left bodies for anyone to discover.
At the train station we were met by Mr. Graves. I was so pleased to see him again, and he was clearly happy that we had all returned safely. He had with him two new Footmen, David and Stuart, who were ready to load our belongings into the barouche and dogcart. Mr Graves had also rounded up Mr. Cuthbert's coachman and carriage.
We were also met at the platform by Sir Phillip Bond. He had been sent by Sir Anthony to take Sir Cosmo's report. Apparently Sir Anthony is in an important meeting at the Foreign Office, and could not leave to meet us himself. Sir Cosmo waved the ladies toward the other carriages while he rode with Sir Phillip.
When we reached the house there were several more new staff members to meet. There is a cook and two maids, in addition to Patsy and Tattvik. There were refreshments waiting for everyone. I and the other footman were busy unloading luggage for some minutes while Mr. Graves made introductions, distributed the mail, and caught everyone up on the news.
Sir Cosmo arrived as we were carrying the last trunks up to the ladies' rooms and was greeted with an enormous pile of mail which dwarfed everyone else's, put together.
Proceed to an Excerpt from Mr. Graves' Diary, All Come Home
Contents this page copyright 2002 by Gene Breshears. All Rights Reserved.