The Secrets of Grimoire Hall

By M. W. Kent

The Wizard of Grimoire Hall is a fantasy story of mystery, exciting action, danger, a secret magical world and a twelve year old boy. Just days before Jack Milner's thirteenth birthday on All Hallows Eve, a tall stranger appears at his door. The stranger tells Jack, and his Dad and Mum, of the demise of Great Uncle Jacob. But the sad news is tempered when Jack learns he has inherited Grimoire Hall, an ancient mansion worth millions of pounds. Jack discovers that there is more to Grimoire Hall than meets the eye, as the Hall is a portal through to the land of Ellysse, a magical world full of fantastical creatures and evil sorcery.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M. W. Kent
• Release date: Oct 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310115004

M. W. Kent

I live in the ancient Mercian town of Tamworth in England, in the county of Staffordshire. I live with Alison my wife. I have two daugters Helen and Rachel who have both fled the nest to make their own nests!I repair old buildings for work which takes me to all places in the country; lots of travelling.I write as and when i can and am working on the sequel to Grimoire Hall.....thanks for reading.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

PART ONE

CHAPTER ONE : A STRANGER CALLS

CHAPTER TWO : ONE DAY EARLIER

CHAPTER THREE : NAN'S BOX

CHAPTER FOUR : CAPTURED

CHAPTER FIVE : KIMBLEWICK SCHOOL

CHAPTER SIX : PRISONER

CHAPTER SEVEN : GRIMOIRE HALL

CHAPTER EIGHT : SEARCH IN THE DARKNESS

CHAPTER NINE : CHASE

CHAPTER TEN : THE SILVER WAND

CHAPTER ELEVEN : THE DOOR TO ELLYSSE

PART TWO

CHAPTER TWELVE : THE TREE OF EREBUS

CHAPTER THIRTEEN : ESCAPE

CHAPTER FOURTEEN : TRAPPED

CHAPTER FIFTEEN : ALLSOP, WORRALL AND BELL

CHAPTER SIXTEEN : GIBBS MEW

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN : INTERROGATION

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN : NERAK

CHAPTER NINETEEN : RATS

CHAPTER TWENTY : JACK'S CHANCE

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE : GISELLA AND GRISELDA

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO : ANTHINA'S CHOICE

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE : BANEWOOD

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR : BIG RAT

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE : THE GENERAL CALLS

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX : MORSTAG

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN : NIGHTMARE

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT : RATS NO MORE

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE : CATS

CHAPTER THIRTY : REUNION

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE : MISERY

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO : FLIGHT

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE : INTO ELLYSSE

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR : REMAGIFICATION

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE : MOONFIRE

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX : EVELLA MALEVOLA

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN : LONDON

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT : SAVIOUR

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE : AFTERMATH

CHAPTER FORTY : MORE MISERY

CHAPTER FORTY ONE : RETURN TO ELLYSSE

CHAPTER FORTY TWO : HENRY VIII

PROLOGUE

The wizard snored loudly. He lay in his warm, cosy bed, in a deep, dreamy sleep.

At the end of the bed, curled up on the soft eiderdown, a black cat glared wide eyed through the gloom at his master. He flattened his furry ears with his paws but the rasping snore squeezed through. The cat usually had a cat nap during the day.

The grand iron bed stood in the high north tower of Grimoire Hall where the wizard lived alone with his cat. The wizard’s bald head reflected the moonlight as a shroud of black clouds was lifted for a moment by a high north wind.

The cat sensed a change in the air. He raised his head and sniffed; a storm approached.

Suddenly, lightning cut the night sky and struck the roof. Slates cracked and fell to the ground as slow thunder boomed over the Hall.

The wizard jerked awake. He kicked the cat into the air and he landed with bristled fur and puffed up tail. He dug his claws through the eiderdown into the wizard’s legs.

Merlin’s blood, Larkin, the wizard shrieked. Those talons need clipping.

Your fault, the cat said. General Larkin arched his back, stretched his long, front legs and yawned.

The wizard sat up and smoothed his trim, white beard. He stroked the cat to soothe his frayed nerves. Driving rain battered the windows, and lightning seared the night sky once more.

The wizard counted the seconds between the slash of lightning and the heavy crack of thunder.

One – two – three.

A deep growl, sensed more than heard, beat down on the Hall as the thunder rumbled on. Doors and windows rattled in their frames, and shattered glass burst on the floor. Rain fell in a torrent.

General Larkin miaowed, loudly.

Something’s up, Jacob, the cat said, nervously.

Hush, Larkin. It’s only rain, the wizard said, but he knew this was no ordinary storm.

You need a younger cat to fool. General Larkin licked his black fur with his long, spiked tongue.

The storm broiled in the skies. Inside Grimoire Hall, time held its breath. The iron bed quaked and an echo of a distant crash rose from the bowels of the Hall deep in the earth.

She is here, the wizard said, more to himself than to the cat.

He sprang from the bed, snatched up his wand from beneath the pillow and headed for the door. General Larkin followed at his heels. Beyond the bedroom, he paused on the candlelit landing of a great staircase. The wizard peered over the balustrade, his wand held firmly, ready to strike. From the darkness came the sound of running footsteps. A figure raced up the staircase toward the wizard, fear in her eyes.

PART ONE

CHAPTER ONE

A STRANGER CALLS

Jack flicked on the bedroom light. He spotted his school books lying open on the desk and his heart sank. Homework can wait, he decided, do it later. Then his eyes lit upon his drum kit in the corner of the room and a sudden urge to play lifted his mood. He knew he shouldn’t, and Mum would tell him off, but… He scooped up the drumsticks and sat at the kit. The floor shook with every thud of his foot on the kick drum.

Suddenly the window flew open with a bang, and a gust of wind blew the sheet music onto his face. He stopped abruptly and slapped the music back onto the stand but it blew off again as the wind defied him to play on. He cast the sticks to the floor and jumped to close the window.

Jack looked out the window toward London. Twilight had descended over the city in the far distance. The moon hung low in the eastern sky; a cloudless night. The wind eased to a gentle, autumn breeze and the curtains fluttered lightly. Jack’s mop of dark hair flapped into his eyes and he blew it away with the corner of his mouth. There was movement at the edge of his sight. A black cat appeared on the garden path. Where’s he come from? Jack wondered. He thought no more of it and closed the window to shut out the night. He sat back at his drum kit, sticks in hands, but before he could strike the snare drum, the front door bell rang loudly.

Nosey as ever, Jack was on the stairs in no time, and listened as his dad opened the door.

A low, deep voice wafted up the staircase.

Good evening, Sir. Would Master Milner be at home? said the man at the door.

Jack heard Dad reply, sounding unnaturally polite. My name is Milner. How may I help you?

Jack eased down the stairs, intrigued to see the owner of the voice.

A spindly, lanky man stood in the doorway, his hat nearly brushing the top of the door frame. He wore a pin-striped business suit, a bowler hat perched on his long, thin head. The stranger’s lined face showed an age of weariness, yet his dark eyes, sharp and hypnotic, had a piercing gaze that demanded attention. The stranger spoke again.

You misunderstand me, sir. I refer to Master Milner, Master Jack William Milner. Might that be he at your side?

Dad spun round and clasped Jack by the shoulder. You wish to speak to my son? Is he in trouble?

Good heavens, no. He is in no trouble I assure you. The stranger paused as if he expected Dad to respond.

Err. Oh, said Dad. Err. Would you care to come in?

May I? The stranger entered the hallway without further invitation. He removed his bowler hat and held it out expectantly. Dad took the hint. He grabbed the rim of the hat and passed it to Jack who wasn't quite sure what to do with it. Mum appeared, her busy face beamed at the stranger. She took the hat from Jack. Do come in, she said. She ushered the man into the sitting room, and then tossed the bowler hat onto the post at the end of the stairs.

Please, do sit. She gestured toward the settee, as the stranger towered over her. Mum’s green eyes flashed and sparkled as much as her white teeth. She tidied her blonde hair. May I offer you some refreshment?

She fussed around the stranger while Dad and Jack settled on the settee opposite the man’s knees. Jack had trouble taking his eyes off the stranger’s comb-over. No amount of straggly hair could hide his bald patch.

Dad looked quizzically at Jack from the corner of his eye. What have you been up to? he mouthed.

Jack shrugged and shook his head. Nothing, he said, trying to sound convincing.

No. Thank you, madam, the stranger said. His thin nose twitched as if it had a life of its own. Do sit, madam. His voice was pleasant enough but it commanded obedience.

Mum squeezed between Jack and Dad on the settee and the three Milners waited, silent and attentive, for the stranger to speak.

He cleared his throat and fixed his wide, blue eyes upon Jack. My name is Rodney Baumgarden of Bethel, Baumgarden, Torteltorb and Bickersdyke, Solicitors at Law. He paused and looked at each of them in turn as if expecting an expression of recognition, but none came. He continued, turning his full attention upon Jack. So you are Master Jack. What are you going to be when you grow up, Jack?

Not sure yet, Jack replied. Dad wants me to help him in his shop, be a shop manager like him. Mum wants me to be a teacher like her.

And what would you like to be? Mr. Baumgarden asked.

I think I’d like to be a doctor, or a drummer. Mum and Dad raised their eyes to the ceiling and shook their heads.

I see, Mr. Baumgarden said. Well good luck with that. Perhaps I’d better get down to business. He paused to consider his words. I bring tidings of grievous news and tidings of joyous news. The grievous news, he continued, his face becoming serious. It is my sad duty to inform you of the demise of your Great Uncle Jacob. He halted, but again there was no sign or hint of even a dawning awareness in the Milners’ faces. Great Uncle Jacob? he repeated, as if that would wake a memory.

Dad said, Not sure we had a Great Uncle Jacob.

With respect, sir, you did not. Master Jack, on his mother’s side, did.

Mum and Dad turned to face Jack, both with furrowed brows. They shook their heads as they looked at one another quizzically. Mum shrugged; apparently she had never heard of Great Uncle Jacob either. Does that mean he’s dead then? Jack asked, not meaning to be disrespectful. It seemed a sensible question.

Jack. Mum nudged him in the ribs.

Sad to say, he is, Master Jack, Mr. Baumgarden said. He passed away recently and named you in his will.

Dad’s eyes widened but Jack sat attentively.

Mr. Baumgarden moved closer toward Jack.

The joyous news. You, Master Jack William Milner, are a beneficiary in the will of your Great Uncle Jacob. You, young man, have inherited his estate, Grimoire Hall.

Mum and Dad beamed. Wow, Dad exclaimed. What do you think of that, Jack?

Not sure, Jack said, and he shrugged noncommittally, peering from behind his hair as it hung over his right eye. He shook his head to clear his sight.

What is it worth, Mr Baumgarden? Dad asked, eagerly, his voice racing with excitement.

Mr. Baumgarden reached into his inner coat pocket and withdrew a long, white envelope. He peeked hurriedly at a slip of paper within and placed the envelope back in his pocket.

The current estimate is approximately one hundred and fifty, though values are fluctuating at the present time.

Wow. One hundred and fifty thousand. Dad nearly sprang out of his seat. He clapped Jack on the back. How about that, Jack?

With respect, Mr. Milner, Mr. Baumgarden interjected. You misunderstand. The value is one hundred and fifty million. The estate has a fair acreage and incorporates a number of farms not to mention the villages. The house itself is rather modest.

Both Dad’s and Mum’s jaws dropped like stones. They turned and gawped at one another, then gawped at Jack, then at Mr. Baumgarden and then back at Jack. They heard the words, but Mr. Baumgarden was not sure the full meaning had registered.

I beg your pardon, Mum said, apologetically. Did you say million? One hundred and fifty million?

Mr. Baumgarden checked the envelope once more.

Yes, madam. One hundred and fifty million. But do please bear in mind that at this uncertain time values do fluctuate. The solicitor sat back in the armchair, eyeing the family closely. At length he said, Do you have any questions at this stage? This was addressed to Jack but Dad jumped in.

Are you sure? You sure it’s us – I mean Jack? I’ve never heard of Great Uncle Jacob. How did he die? Where is it - the Estate, I mean? Is it a house? Can Jack sell it? What if…

Mr. Baumgarden raised his hand to halt Dad’s rant.

Mr. Milner, he said, as if addressing a naughty pupil. I suggest I leave you some details for Master Milner to read and then he may compile a list of queries. I will return and answer all and any questions you may have to the best of my ability. I will bring the keys with me.

OK, Dad said, a little nonplussed.

Mr. Baumgarden stood and ushered Jack ahead of him into the hall. He leant forward and whispered in Jack’s ear. Master Jack. Do not be afraid. We will help you. He handed Jack an envelope. Details of your new property and the address. He retrieved his bowler hat, and brushed off a speck of dust with his sleeve. He turned and bade them all goodnight. He opened the front door and disappeared into the night. Mr. Baumgarden had departed but he had left an indelible impression. Jack wondered what Mr. Baumgarden had meant by his whispered message. He peered into the envelope. One hundred and fifty million pounds didn’t really mean as much to him as it obviously did to Mum and Dad. But he wasn’t excited at that as much as the prospect of exploring the Hall, Grimoire Hall. He opened the envelope again. ‘The Estate of Grimoire Hall lies to the north of London in the valley of’…I wonder if that’s the old place not far from Nan’s? thought Jack.

Back in his bedroom he grabbed his phone and sent a message. ‘Got news, tell you tomorrow. J.’

‘Cool. C u tomorrow,’ his mate Benje replied a few seconds later. Jack sent the same message to Stanley.

‘Yay,’ came Stanley’s response, followed by, ‘Tell me now."

But before Jack could send another message, the phone rang downstairs.

He heard Dad's voice growing louder with each word.

What? Are you ok? Where are you? We’re on our way. Dad slammed the phone down. Jack!

Jack dashed downstairs. What is it? He almost shouted the words.

It’s Nan. Someone broke into her house. She’s in hospital. Get your coat.

CHAPTER TWO

ONE DAY EARLIER

The girl emerged into the dull light, her long, golden hair bounced as she leapt up the wooden staircase two steps at a time.

Princess Anthina. Up here. Hurry! the wizard called.

Jacob. Thank goodness it’s you. They followed me. Her upturned face glowed in the amber light of the candles. The look of fear was softened with a half-smile as Jacob took her hand.

Jacob peered over the balustrade. Is the door secure?

For now, yes. But my spell won’t last long. She gasped for breath as her lungs burned. I am followed. They...

Jacob squeezed her hand, eagerly. Did you get them?

The Princess saw the urgency in his grey eyes. I have the crystal. She pulled her hand away and reached into her green cloak.

But the wand? You have the wand?

She hesitated. I barely escaped with my life. We need them both for the renewal of our powers, Anthina. Remagicification is but two days away.

Then someone else will have to get it. I’m not going back.

No. You must return. We have only seven. All eight Elder wands are needed for the renewal of our powers.

The Princess held out her hand, palm up. A perfect sphere of black crystal lay there, absorbing the candle light.

Jacob took the crystal from the Princess’s outstretched hand and touched her cheek lightly. You must return, he said with quiet determination. He fixed his gaze upon her blue eyes. Help is already there waiting for you.

No, please. I can’t. There is nothing there but despair, she pleaded. There will be no second escape.

The wizard remained firm. There is no one else. You must return for the wand.

She knew there would be no reprieve, no fairy tale ending. Jacob flicked his wand. A lock clicked, bolts slid across and, in the black depths of Grimoire Hall, a large door swung silently open.

The sound Anthina dreaded burst up from below. The enemy had entered Grimoire Hall.

A horde of grimmlies, evil and cruel, driven by a single minded determination, flew into the Hall on their winged steeds; ravens, black as night, large as eagles. A rush of wind exploded into the stairwell.

Fear shook Anthina to her core. No! She pushed past the wizard and leapt up the staircase, racing toward the top of the north tower.

Jacob moved fast. Once inside his bedroom he slammed the door shut, nearly trapping General Larkin’s tail. He cast a spell, and stepped back as the frame shook under the force of his magic.The crystal lay in his palm. He circled his wand around the black glass and cast his spell. A ball of light encircled the crystal and then, in a twinkling of an eye, it was gone.

Anthina reached the very top of the north tower, but she was trapped. On the narrow landing were two doors, both locked.

The shrill squeal of her pursuers filled her with terror. An army of grimmlies rose up from the depths.

The Princess leapt at the door to her right but it had no effect. She blasted it with a bolt from her wand but the enchanted door held firm. She jumped and kicked the second door, and charged at it with all her strength. Her shoulder bone cracked and pain seared through her arm but the door opened. Relief lifted her heart. She leapt through the opening and slammed the door shut against the onrushing wind ahead of her enemy as they swarmed up the tower. But there was no window, no escape, no way out. Capture was inevitable. She backed against the wall, and faced the door, ready to fight.

A deafening roar pounded her ears. The door was blown off its hinges and hit the far wall with a crash. The sound was lost in the screams and cries of the grimmlies as they piled into the room.

The first of them were struck with bolts of power as Anthina’s wand did its work. But she was soon overwhelmed. She stared into the blood red eyes of a large grimmly as it approached. It filled her with dread. The creature’s long snout, full of sharp, yellow teeth, opened wide as he screamed for blood. He raised a blowpipe to his black lips and blew.

She was struck. The dart pierced her broken shoulder and pain raced through her body. A second dart hit her neck, and the poison took effect. She collapsed to the floor. The grimmlies bound her and carried her away. She was unconscious but alive. They flew through the north tower down to the blackness where the door stood open. They were gone in the blink of an eye, taking the Princess back to a land beyond Earth. The door closed and locked shut behind them. It heaved and bellowed as its magic took effect.

It is done, said the wizard. We must go.

Will she be safe? General Larkin said. Will she survive?

I do not know. Jacob stood and walked to the bedroom door, peering out to make sure there were no stray grimmlies. He turned to face the cat. Help is there for her though she does not know it. Come, Larkin, we have to leave this house. It is time for others to guard the doorways.

The wizard and the cat emerged onto the landing in the flickering, weak glow of the candles. Rain clattered on the lantern above and fell through broken glass onto their heads.

Jacob glanced down into the black eye of the staircase. His thoughts were of Anthina and of what he had to do. His tears of guilt were lost in the rain falling down his face.

I believe you have something of mine.

He wheeled around. There stood a figure

Reviews for The Secrets of Grimoire Hall

[Helen Kentcroft · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really loved this book, it was exciting and i can't wait for the sequel!