Matthias had already lost his father once and did not want it to happen again. Though he sort of liked Mary, she was a dangerous person. She wanted everything to happen on her terms. He hoped his father wouldn't be too angry with him for interfering, but he felt he had no choice. Breathing in deep, he entered the inn.
A rather hefty-looking old woman was sweeping the floor. Her gnarled, wrinkled hands gripped the broom precariously as she moved at a snail's pace.
"Pardon me, Ma'am," Matthias said politely, "do you know where I might find an Ichabod Crane?"
She raised her head and peered at him. Her eyesight must not be very good…
"Ichabod Crane is upstairs, third room on the right…or is it left? Oh, dear…I can't remember. But I know it's one of those third rooms…"
While she was still trying to figure it out, Matthias slipped away. She would likely not even realize he was gone for a while.
The other room was empty, which left the room on the right side. He tapped on the door. There was a rustling noise. He found himself looking into Ichabod's dark eyes.
"I don't wish to bother you," Matthias admitted, "but I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time, sir."
Ichabod stepped aside to let him in. Matthias noticed that his two friends were gone. He shrugged to himself and waited for Ichabod to close the door.
"I know who you are," Matthias told him, "and so does my father. The woman knew you were out there watching us."
Ichabod shuddered involuntarily.
"You're his son? I wasn't aware that the H-I mean your father had ever married."
Matthias smiled faintly.
"That's because you never asked."
"I may have jumped to a conclusion or two," Ichabod admitted timidly.
"I just came to warn you," Matthias said, his tone suddenly serious, "my father and I mean no harm to you, but you might want to go back where you came from. Mary doesn't take kindly to the three of you having trespassed on their land. My father told her that he is in your debt, but I happen to know that he is also in love with her. Only time would tell which voice he would listen to. It would be easier and safer if you left Sleepy Hollow."
"How much do you know?" Ichabod couldn't help but ask.
"Frankly sir, I think I only know as much as you do…" Matthias recounted what Jaegar and Mary had told them.
"I see."
It was an awkward conversation at best. Matthias admitted that he was still having difficulties dealing with something this strange.
"I can't believe he's fallen in love with her," Ichabod admitted, "it seems so…strange…after what she did to him."
"You can say that again…I'm not very fond of it to be perfectly honest," Matthias admitted, "she has been good enough to reunite us, but I fear that someone like that cannot change so easily. For my sake and my father's, will you consider leaving?"
"I'll talk it over with them when they return."
Matthias didn't appear angry that he had been lied to and Ichabod didn't bring that up again. It was a shame that they hadn't met under different circumstances…
…...
"You're awfully quiet," Mary commented to Jaegar that night, "is something on your mind?"
Jaegar's intense blue eyes settled on her.
"I have decided that Ichabod Crane is not a threat and it would be pointless to harm him."
He braced himself for the fury she was bound to exhibit.
"He's not a threat? Do you realize what it would mean to us if he got involved again?" Mary demanded.
The spark of fury flared up inside Jaegar before he could suppress it.
"Mary, I would do a lot if asked, but I will not touch him. Even if he told someone, who would really believe him? Besides, I am in his debt."
"The question is where your loyalties really lie," Mary snarled.
It wasn't fair. She knew she'd made a mistake as soon as she'd said it, for she saw him twitch. The power was in his coiled muscles and she'd tempted him. Instead of striking her, he merely pressed her against the wall just enough to cause her discomfort.
"It would be unwise for you to give me such ultimatums," Jaegar hissed in her ear, "you forget your place. Now, either you leave Crane and his friends alone or I will have to teach you your place the hard way. I will make Hell seem like Paradise, understand?"
Her eyes hardened.
"You wouldn't," she said, thinking he was bluffing.
He smiled coldly, displaying his pointed teeth.
"I would."
…
"We can't leave," Masbeth objected, "we don't know what his intentions are. Besides, I don't think we have to fear the Hessian anymore—it's Lady Van Tassel that seems to be the problem."
Ichabod sighed. If it were just him, he wouldn't be concerned. But there were lives at stake…Masbeth, Florence, and Katrina and the baby at home…
"I wonder if I could talk to him," Ichabod commented.
Masbeth suppressed a laugh. Ichabod couldn't even see the Hessian without fainting, probably much less have a conversation with one. He'd heard crazier things, however.
…
"Why does it always have to be the woods?" Ichabod muttered to himself. Florence and Masbeth were hidden in the shadows. He paced back and forth in front of the Tree of the Dead. The Hessian's sword still stuck out of the ground, a permanent memorial of the carnage that had taken place there.
"I got your message," Matthias announced.
"And?"
The Hessian appeared behind Matthias. Ichabod gulped audibly and felt the beads of sweat appear on his forehead. Exactly how did one start a conversation with a murdering ghost? He willed himself not to faint and cautiously stepped forward. The silence seemed deafening.
"I heard that you and Lady Van Tassel were married," Ichabod said awkwardly. He hoped it didn't sound as stupid out loud as it did in his head.
"Yes. What did you want?"
At least he was willing to get to the point quickly. Ichabod shuddered at the sharpness of his voice. His accent probably had something to do with it.
"I don't mean to pry, sir…but I was wondering why you returned to Sleepy Hollow."
Jaegar studied Ichabod carefully.
"I have not killed anyone if that's what you are asking," he said coolly.
That was certainly a relief.
"A mortal cannot survive long stretches in Hell, Mr. Crane," Matthias explained diplomatically, "Mary's health was suffering, so he brought her to live in her old house. He visits her when he can."
Ichabod nodded. The bone-chilling fear had edged off just a little bit.
"I see…so, your intentions are entirely peaceful?"
"As peaceful as they can be," Jaegar returned, "in exchange for returning my head and breaking the spell, I have spared you and your friends. Be warned, though, that my Mary still holds a very large grudge. It would be best for you to leave as soon as possible. If you don't, I will not be responsible for your fate."