"Oh look Ichabod, the sea!" Katrina said, squeezing her husband's hand.

Ichabod leant forward in his seat to look out the carriage window and onto the beautiful coastline, which stretched the length of the island leading down to deep blue waters. Katrina had never been to the coast before, and Ichabod had only been once, during his childhood, so this trip was a welcomed experience.

"Will you be working the entire time we're here," Katrina asked. "Surely we will get some time to ourselves?"

"There's very serious work to be done, Miss," Masbeth, Ichabod's trusted apprentice, said.

Katrina gave a small nod, her eyes drifting sadly to her lap.

Seeing this, Ichabod leant close to her, placed a loving hand on her shoulder and said; "I'm sure there will be time to spare for a walk on the beach."

Katrina smiled at him.

The carriage climbed the winding cliff path until it came to the Seaview Hotel.

"We're here," Katrina announced, and Ichabod helped her from the carriage, followed by Masbeth with their luggage.

The manager was sitting at the front desk, he was at least seventy years old, and had more hair growing from his ears and nostrils than he had on his head.

He passed a suspicious eye over them and then said; "You'll be expecting a room, no doubt."

"We're booked in," Ichabod replied, "Under the name Crane."

"Hmmm," the man said, leaning his ancient head down to look closely at the guests register, "Mr. I and Mrs. K?"

"Yes."

"And is this your son?" The manager asked.

"No," Masbeth said indignantly, "I'm Masbeth, Ichabod's trusted apprentice!"

The man said; "After you've been shown to your room, if you would like to go through to the dining room, dinner is being served-"

"Actually," Ichabod said, "We only just ate a few hours ago. We were hoping to go on the local tour."

"The tour?" The manager said.

"Yes, you see, the main purpose of this trip is-"

"But the tour is leaving now!" the manager snapped.

"Oh," Ichabod said, turning to Katrina, "We had better be on our way then. Will you be okay, dear?"

Katrina smiled; "Yes, I think I'll wander the garden for a while and then have a read," she patted the pocket of her skirt, which held her novel.

"Garden's that way," the manager, thumbed the direction.

"Thank-you," said Katrina.

She kissed Ichabod on the cheek and then left for her walk.

After she had gone, the manager said; "So you won't be wanting any dinner?"

"We'll probably want something when we get back," said Ichabod.

The manager let out a disgruntle sigh and said, "Oh, very well! We do have set dining times but I wouldn't want that to get in the way of your fun."

Ichabod was taken back by the manager's tone, but he still mustered a polite smile.

"Actually sir, we're not here for fun. We are on a very important business trip. You see—"

"Yes, yes," the manager said dismissively. "If you want to go on the tour, you had better hurry, they're leaving right now!"

"You already mentioned that," Icabod replied with a tight smile, "Come Masbeth."

They were halfway to the door when the sound of the manager's voice brought them to a halt.

"Oh, we'll be taking those upstairs for you then?" he said, pointing to the luggage.

Ichabod's face dropped.

"Only if it's not too much trouble," he said.

"Oh no, no," the manager grumbled, "Don't you worry."

"Thank-you," Ichabod said, swallowing a lump in his throat.

"The horseman is out front," the manager said.

"The horseman?"

Ichabod felt a chill spread through his stomach.

"Yes," the manager said. "He leads our tours."

Ichabod and Masbeth exchanged a look of anxious horror. Ichabod pushed his young apprentice towards the door, and waited as he slowly peered outside.

The young man turned back to them, a relieved smile on his face.

"It's okay," he said. "He's got a head!"

Ichabod let out a thankful sigh and chuckle, but quickly composed himself when he noticed the look of curious confusion on the manager's face.