3rd Person Pov
It was a dark and gloomy night and nothing could be seen from the hunting stand which Mr. Masbath was was keeping watch in. Suddenly a strange fog came out of the forest and snuffed out the remaining light on the burning out torches. Masbath shot his gun at the on coming figure but it did nothing. The horseman had come for him. He ran through the forest running for his life as the horse and it's rider came galloping up behind him. The horseman drew his sword and with one swing of his sword Mr.Masbath's head was clean off and claimed by the horseman.
Ichabod's Pov
Another early morning eating breakfast with Y/N but still just as awkward and silent as yesterday. "So, I need to investigate the land which the different bodies where found and I need a way of transportation and maybe even a guide." I said with hesitate at my last request.
"Oh, I can take you to borrow one of the farm horses from the Killian's they have a few I am sure you will be able to borrow one while your here. And I guess I could come along if you need me to."
Y/N said.
Again walking into town Y/N was on foot walking next to me while Sparrow followed on her other side. Y/N walked us up to the front door of a small house and just as she was about to knock the door opened and two women walked out. "Oh my....its you." The one woman said with a small tone of disgust in her voice as she looked at Y/N.
"Please excuse my interruption but I must see
Mr. Killian." She said
"What for do you wish to see my husband?" Mrs. Killian said.
"I need to see him to ask him about a horse for Constable Crane." She answered. With a sour look on her face Mrs.Killian went inside to get her husband.
"So the Constable needs a horse is that right?" Said Mr.Killian as he emerged from the house.
"Yes sir." I said trying to speak up for myself. We followed Killian over to a barn next to his house and he came out with a fully tacked up horse. He was short and stocky with alot of muscle and his body was covered in black and grey hair.
"This is gunpowder." Killian said.
"Yes, he should do just fine." I said patting the horses butt making him jump and having a large cloud of dust come up into my face making me cough slightly. As this happend I heard Y/N laugh quietly at this making me smile.
"Thomas come inside." Mrs.Killian yelled in our direction. And out of no where a little red head boy came running out of the barn. Killian picked him up gave him a kiss on the cheek and sent him off to his mother. As this happend a man on a horse shot his gun in the air and yelled into the town. "MURDER THE HORSEMAN STRIKES AGAIN!" After he said this he ran off on his horse back into the forest. Killian mounted his own horse and ran towards the forest followed by Y/N on Sparrow. As I struggled to get on Gunpowder I caught a glimpse of Y/N coming back. I got on and yet again struggled but this time on controlling Gunpowder. "Shorten your reins to turn him Constable." She instructed to me. I did as she said and I was finally off heading towards the woods. Even under the not so good circumstance riding along side Y/N was enjoyable.
But Why?
The ride ended to soon for my liking but I needed to get my mind back on the investigation. "It's alright I'm here now. " I said to make my presents known. I ungracefully dismounted Gunpowder and made my way over to the body. I looked down and saw a headless man lying with his back on the ground and hands on his chest. It was disgusting to say the least.
Y/N's Pov
I watched as Ichabod dismounted Gunpowder with tremendous struggle but he managed. I got off Sparrow and watched as Ichabod started to examine the body that lied before him.
"The fourth victim Johnathan Masbath." One of the men said.
"Oh, I see and the head?" Ichabod said looking away from the body with a uncomfortable look on his face.
"Taken." Someone answered
"Intresting. Very interesting in headless corps cases such as these the head is removed to prevent identification for the body." Ichabod explained.
"But we know this man." Said Lord Van Tassel.
"Percicly so why was the head removed? Did you move the body?" He asked.
"Yes." Reverend Steenwyck said
"You must never move the body!" Ichabod said in a raised voice.
"Why?"Reverend Steenwyck asked.
"Because." Ichabod answered.
His lack of explanation and the confusion of the others made me laugh alittle causing everyone to look up at me.
"Is something funny Miss.L/N?" Lord Van Tassel said.
"No sir." I said quickly.
"Then have some respect woman." Reverend Steenwyck said harshly.
The reference of woman and the piercing glars from everyone kept me quiet and I suddenly became aware of my hair my clothing and my clear face that should be hidden behind a wall of makeup. My attention was brought back to my surroundings when I saw Ichabod starting to run around like a horse causing odd looks from everyone. "Look at this stride it's huge and look he turned around and came back to claim the head." He abruptly stoped and went through his bag pulling out a bottle of powder and sprinkling it where the head should be. And suddenly it started to steam and smoke a little bit. "A chemical reaction." Ichabod said thinking out loud to himself. He then went back and put on a large headset with large glass circles on his eyes. As he bent down to investigate the body he quickly stood back up and looked away in disgust.
"Very intresting." He said.
"What is it?" Van Tassel asked.
"The wound has been cauterized in the very instant as though the blade it's self had been red hot and yet there's not blistering no scorched flesh" Ichabod explained.
"The Devils fire." Philipse said.
Ichabod took his headset off and quickly packed his things and mounted Gunpowder. I mounted Sparrow and followed him I walked Sparrow just a little bit ahead to lead the way. Once far out of hearing range I felt it was alright for me to say something now. "That was impressive. How you were able to see all that just from looking at the body." I said.
"You think so?" Ichabod said.
"Yes, it is like nothing I have ever seen before." I said. When I said this I could have almost sworn I saw Ichabod smile.
Ichabod's Pov
The funeral for Jonathan Masbath was nearly over. People where paying their respects and I made sure to come and show my respects but not to interfere with the townspeople and his family. As the priest said his final words I turned around getting ready to leave as I was making my way back over to Y/N I herd someone call out to me.
"Constable sir!" Young Masbath yelled.
"Ah, your young Masbath." I said.
"I was young Masbath, but now I am the only Masbath and I am at your survice. In honor bound to avenge my father." The little boy said.
"Well, one and only Masbath I thank you very much. But your mother will need you much more than I do." I said.
"My mother is in heaven sir." Young Masbath said. Suddenly I felt super uncomfortable in this conversation.
"But you have no one to serve you I am your man sir." The little boy persist.
"Yes, and a brave one too but I can not be the one to look after you. I am sorry for your loss young Masbath." I explained patting the boy's shoulder before leaving.
"Constable Crane." Mr. Philipse said.
"Yes, Mr. Philipse" I said.
" Something you should know, Jonathan Masbath was not the fourth victim but the fifth. Four victims in five graves." Mr. Philipse explained.
I thought about this before looking back up at the graves where young Masbath stood. I saw Y/N walking over to him and curiosity got the better of me and I found myself walking over to them. I stood just close enough to hear what they were saying.
"Young Masbath I am so sorry for you loss. I understand you are alone now. Right?" Y/N said.
"Yes miss, this is true." The boy said.
"I have another spare room in my house if you so chose to you are welcome to stay with me." Y/N said.
"That would be wonderful miss. Thank you." He said.
"Please call me Y/N" She said.
"Young Masbath! If you could be awake at dawn I could use your assistance." I said.
"Yes sir." He replied.
As I started to walk back through town Y/N came up and walked beside me. "Why were you so far from the crowd?" I asked.
"I don't know if you've realized this but I'm not well liked in town and most people would prefer not to be associated with me because I'm not what you would consider normal or proper for a woman. So, I would like to show my respects by coming to the funeral but I am not really welcomed so I stay away from the crowd." She explained.
"Is that why everyone calls you crazy?" I asked.
"Yes, they think something is wrong with me like I am a disease just because I chose to look diffrent and not be hidden behind a man or controlled by one." She explained with a mix of anger and sadness in her voice.
"That was very kind what your doing for young Masbath." I said trying to change the uncomfortable subject.
"Thank you but to be honest I am surprised that he agreed to stay with me. I just felt bad seeing such a young boy being left alone on his own like that. It's not fair that things like this happen to good children like him." She said.
"I agree." I said feeling a slight sting of pain thinking of my childhood. "You know I could use all the help I can get with what I need to do." I said.
"Is that your way of asking for my help?" Y/N said with a smirk.
"Well...Um... yes I guess so." I said.
"Sure I can help you. What do you need help with?" She asked.
"If I tell you, you might think I am mad. All I will say is that you will need a strong stomach and I will see you at dawn." I said before leaving her to go inside as we came up to the door. I glanced back and saw Y/N had a confused look on her face and I couldn't help but think how cute she looked.