Liberi Sursum Coeli

By Mika Paananen

Vicar Godwinson of Dainsdale has lived a long life with his herd. Old clergyman and his flock remember too well the former and corrupt master of Scyllaclough Grange, the dominating manor in the edge of county. Now the new master is about and proves to be as complicated as his predecessor but in a seemingly good way. An able astronomer, Mr Tollerson and his frolic and industrious wife Anna arrive, planning to change the face of the lands and ultimately the face of the universe. Vicar's and later the whole community's fears change to great expectations. However, good intentions hide ambitions and ultimately an obsession in the unfortunate process, raising the old fears from the grave in front of vicar Godwinson.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mika Paananen
• Release date: Aug 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476364315

Mika Paananen

Mika Paananen lives in Finland Proper with wife and a furry ball loaded with razor blades called 'Ace'. Born 1965 and having been engineering in computer and telecommunications industry as well as in mediawork, writer has an extremely dim view of current world, which makes the research and writing of the past much easier and, what's best, funnier. Besides, nothing beats reading of Sir Walter Scott, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, M.R.James, Roald Dahl and others, in convenient weather and chair in sunny backyard. And why not inside during the thunderstorms. For balancing those mentioned, the works of Sir Terry Pratchett come handy.This writer has declared that he refuses to grow up.

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LIBERI SURSUM COELI

by

Mika Paananen

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Copyright 2012 Mika Paananen

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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*****

This small literary piece is pure fiction and for the benefit of traditional gothic horror friends, following the original style of the era. Accordingly some events in this short story are not suitable for little children. Some expressions may look odd to the casual reader but author could not be happier if that leads into some research. Baroque style music is strongly recommended to accompany and perfect the reading experience.

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LIBERI SURSUM COELI

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During the summer of 1790, it occurred in most convenient of times to vicar Godwinson of Dainsdale--a thin man of five feet and eight, age four-and-sixty with an inadvertent semblance to a raven with his nose and clothing by office--that his parish would be merited by a new proprietor to Scyllaclough Grange; which was under perils of dereliction due former landlord's corrupt ways of life and his passing away as a result. For vicar, the divine intervention was a matter of conjecture. Wealth and peerage of the corrupt baron did little to accomplish anything amidst the dilapidating structures of Grange, its lush forests and moors and least among his peasants; instead he was under inclination to favor his peers and nobles with higher rank in such ways that they completely overlooked his misconduct of duties within his possessions.

Under these circumstances it was highly digestible that we could find our vicar measuring the landscape, which surrounded the manor mouldering with exuberant growth; and in particular the Jacobean main building itself where recesses between broken bay windows were gradually covered by ivies. Half a score years separated this sepulchral scene from the time vicar Godwinson refused to enter the property; in fear of testifying heathenish rites along the gardens; compared to which the barbaric picts and superstitious druids would seem Fellows of Royal Society; such was the deliberate degradation of position and possession that vicar required an oath from his congregation not to enter Grange property unless exclusively ordered to do so; and in this latter case, minding just their own business. Vicar shuddered upon recollecting of involuntary visitations in Grange; but raising his eyes to the bright sun he turned joyous in expectation of new landlord, about whom he had been in exchange of letters with the bishop of the