Chapter 2

The next morning Ichabod Korra Mako Bolin and Asami went to the livery stables by the covered bridge and house home to The Killians who's wife is a midwife the reason they went to the stables is to borrow horses so Mr. Killian brought four horses one is white with brown mane and one is dark brown with black mane and one is gray with light brown mane and last is light brown with dark brown mane so he first gave Korra the white horse

this is Mayflower said Killian

then gave Mako the dark brown horse

flint said Killian

gave Bolin the gray horse

victor said Killian

and lastly gave Asami the light brown horse

and Delilah oh and I'm not forgetting you sir said Killian realizing they are five of them and he gave four horses he went to the stable Ichabod sigh in relief until Killian came out with a big old dark gray plow horse

his name's Gunpowder said Killian

ah well...he should do just fine Mr. Killian thank you said Ichabod trying not to be disappointed but he will get over it

Good luck sir if you need help call my name he said proudly

much appreciated said Ichabod

Thomas inside Mrs. Killian called her son Thomas ran but Mr. Killian raise him up and kissed him on the cheek and put him down

go off home for your breakfast Tom and kiss your mother once for you and twice for me said Killian to his son

so what could you tell us about The old Widow? Mako asked

old who told you all she was old? she was comely. Widowed young and dead before the bloom was off her. said Killian they hear a gunshot and turned to see a rider holding a smoking musket

Murder! The Horseman's killed again! shouted the rider they quickly mount up except Ichabod who is trying to get on Gunpowder but now got on but Gunpowder is going to a wrong direction

you want a trade? Korra asked

no I'm fine reply Ichabod the four waited for Ichabod to catch up and finally did

Good horsie. said Ichabod to Gunpowder they followed Killian to the location of today's victim in the woods few gunmen including Brom and Baltus Dr. Lancaster Reverend Steenwyck and magistrate Philipse were standing near a victim's Headless body

Mr. Miller ride back for the coffin cart. Baltus ordered Miller

yes sir said Miller and leaves

The rest of you keep a sharp lookout said Baltus also ordered the gunmen Killian arrived and cannot believe another victim today Ichabod and the four have arrived

it's alright we're here now said Ichabod they walked to the victim's body Korra and her friends were horrified by this and they must know what kind of maniac would take heads

The fourth victim Jonathan Masbath. said Dr. Lancaster revealing the identification of the latest victim

I see...and...the head? said Ichabod trying not to be afraid

Taken. said Philipse

Taken Ichabod repeated interesting... very interesting.

what is? said Baltus

in headless corpse cases of this sort the head is removed to prevent identification of the body. Ichabod explained

But we know this was Jonathan Masbath. said Baltus puzzled

Precisely. So why was the removed? Ichabod asked

why? said Baltus

Right. said Ichabod he walked to Dr. Lancaster

you have moved the body? he asked

I did the Doctor nodded

You must never moved The body! said Ichabod furiously

why not? said Dr. Lancaster

Because. is all he said to him

hey Ichabod I think I found something said Asami looking some sort of print on the ground and Ichabod looked at it it's a big hoof print and it appears to be around Ichabod follow the prints and react the scene

The stride is gigantic Ichabod continued the scene The attacker rode Masbath turned his horse Came back...Came back to claim the head.

he open his bag out of the bag came tray full of bottled chemicals he took out a bottle of green powder and sprinkles on the dirt near the body and the powder began to sizzling

yes. There's a chemical reaction remarked Ichabod it shows there was a powerful singular thrust to the neck.

the he took out a magnification goggles and a strange picking device to examine the wound he was shaking he sees a creepy black bug feasting on flesh crawling out of the neck he freaked out

interesting. said Ichabod recovered Korra notice his foot was grinding on something too small to be visible

What is it? said Baltus

The wound was cauterized in the very instant...as though the blade itself were red-hot. And yet no blistering no scorched flesh. Ichabod finished the explanation and all of them looked worried

The devil's fire. said Philipse and now Ichabod looked more worried

when the coffin cart arrived Korra was concerned about if the victim was going to be missed by someone he went to asked Miller

dose he have family? said Korra

aye he did. had a wife and son but his wife died years ago said Miller now Korra feel more sad

and so the whole town gathered for the funeral and Reverend Steenwyck is giving the last rites

Be vigilant as it sayeth in the Book of Peter Chapter 5 Verse 8. Because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour God rest Jonathan Masbath said Reverend Steenwyck finishing the rites and they left

Mr. Constable sir said a ten year old boy catching up

ah you're young Masbath said Ichabod

well I was young Masbath but now the only one Masbath at your service in honor bound to avenge my father said Masbath

Well one and only Masbath I thank you very much but your mother will need you more than I. said Ichabod

My mother is in Heaven sir she has my father now to care for her But you have no one but your accomplices to serve you I am your man sir. said Masbath want help Ichabod and the four nodded at Ichabod

Yes and a brave one too. But I cannot be the one too look after you. I'm sorry for your loss young Mr. Masbath said Ichabod after patting him Korra became angry she grab him by the shoulder and turned him around

This kid has lost his Mother and now his Father and then you turned your back on Him!? said Korra Furiously

look we have case to solve so I'm sorry said Ichabod about to leave while young Masbath was standing there looking at his father's grave the four walked to comfort him

my brother and I know how you feel said Mako

our Parents were killed when we were little said Bolin

and my Mother was murdered said Asami

Young Masbath! Ichabod called out and they turned. find a place in the Van Tassel's servants' quarters. Wake us before dawn.

they were surprised and glad that he changed his mind

I hope you have a strong stomach. said Ichabod and now they were confused of why he said that they walked to him

what did you found out? asked Korra

Mr. Philipse told me that Masbath is not the fourth but fifth victim explained Ichabod

the fifth? said Asami

five victims in four graves was all he said. Ichabod explained again

I don't think it make sense said Bolin

it doesn't so tonight we're digging said Ichabod

that night Ichabod the four young Masbath and Killian and two other men were digging the victims graves three headless bodies were showing Ichabod told the four to memorize the victims

Peter Van Garrett said Korra

Dirk Van Garrett said Mako

and Jonathan Masbath said Asami

five victims in four graves Ichabod repeated not sure what that meant Killian and the other man pick up the last coffin and nailed it open in the coffin is a headless body of a young woman

The Widow Winship said Bolin recognized Ichabod kneed over the body with a cloth to cover his nose and examine the body then notice a scar on her stomach like a thrust mark

it appears the sword had thrust through the stomach after beheading her said Ichabod

so what are you going to do her? said Korra nervously

I'll have to operate said Ichabod

you mean you are going to cut her up?! Bolin freaked out and almost shouted

I'm afraid so said Ichabod

one day they carried the body to the Doctor's residence and was horrified by this

This is most irregular Constable said Dr. Lancaster freaking out

I should hope so but in this case necessary We need to operate immediately. said Ichabod

operate? she's dead. said Dr. Lancaster confused

When we say "operate," we mean of course I will be needing the operating table said Ichabod pulling his equipment out of his bag

Once more the neck wound cauterized The...sword thrust to the stomach the same but to what purpose? said Ichabod

to what is your purpose is the question and What manner of instruments are these? the Dr. asked holding one the equipment

Some of my own design Ichabod quickly snatch it from the Doctor's hand All right then Step outside young Masbath Korra Bolin Asami Mako Thank you very much for your help Mr. Killian And if you don't mind Doctor my concentration suffers greatly when I'm observed Ichabod urges everyone to go outside while he prepares for the operation they waited for hours when Magistrate Philipse took a swig with his flask until Ichabod came out shaking and covered in blood everyone was horrified by this.

I am...finished said Ichabod

What in name of God have you Done to her?! said Reverend Steenwyck who is shocked by this

We are dealing with a madman. said Ichabod they thought in their heads saying the only madman is him

What did you find out Constable? said Philipse

The Widow Winship was with child said Ichabod and now they are more shocked. That night Korra Mako Bolin Asami and Masbath their newfound friend sit around in Ichabod's room thinking since Masbath joined them they told him to keep a secret and Masbath cannot believe what they told and saw when they demonstrate it so anyway they were thinking.

ok first it was the Van Garretts then The Widow and her child and now your Dad so they got to be connected somehow said Mako

I still think it was The Headless horseman said Bolin

Bolin there is no such thing as The Headless horseman said Korra getting tired of everyone saying it's the Headless Horseman that did the beheading

hey has anyone seen Ichabod? said Asami

last I saw him he was taking Gunpowder for night ride and it has been ten minuets ago said Masbath

Mako and I will find him said Korra so she mount up Mayflower and Mako on flint they follow Gunpowder's tracks through the town and stopped at the bridge Mako looked at another track

there's Gunpowder's tracks but there's another track looks like Ichabod has been followed said Mako

he can't be far said Korra hoping nothing happen to him they follow the trail from the looks of it must have been a chase they saw Gunpowder close beside Ichabod lying unconscious surround by shatter pieces of a pumpkin they walked to him and Mako saw another trail Mako follow it and he hear voices so he hide behind a tree and sees three men laughing then one of them was in cloak and Mako recognized cloaked man

Brom hissed Mako he went back to Korra

so do you know what happened? said Korra

yep Brom said Mako and Korra scowled at that Korra would want to teach him a lesson but this would make them tell the whole town and also Brom is Katrina's boyfriend so they took Ichabod to his room and Katrina was concerned about him

is he going to be alright said Katrina looked worried

he'll be alright he's just unconscious he'll be alright when he wakes up reply Korra with a smile

there was something I need to ask you why didn't anyone tell us that your family is related to the Van Garretts? Mako asked because he looked at the family tree

Because there is hardly a household in Sleepy Hollow that is not connected to every other by blood or marriage. she explained and this land you all were looking at was Van Garrett land given to my father when I was in swaddling clothes The Van Garretts were the richest family around these parts when my father brought us to Sleepy Hollow Van Garrett set him up with an acre and a broken-down cottage and My father worked hard for his family and prospered and built this house and I owe my happiness to him and I remember living poor in the cottage she finished with a smile

that is a good story said Korra

also I'm told The Lady Van Tassel we saw is your step mother said Mako

yes My father believes tales of romance cause the brain fever that killed my mother She died two years ago come midwinter The nurse who cared for her during her sickness is now Lady Van Tassel and hid my Mother's books said Katrina sadly

I'm sorry said Korra and Katrina nodded and they went to their rooms so the next morning after breakfast Korra saw Ichabod arrived at the door and she smiled sly and Ichabod told her and her friends they should start tonight and they agreed so that might in town Mako sees light in the windows of a building they slunk by the windows and Mako peeks at the window

what do you see? whispered Ichabod

there's Reverend Steenwyck Notary Hardenbrook Dr. Lancaster and Magistrate Philipse and it looks like they were arguing and Mr. Philipse is packing and leaving Mako whispered back and quickly back up because Steenwyck almost saw Mako and Bolin saw The Magistrate lead a mule drawn cart out of town

hey he's leaving said Bolin

we'll catch him up said Ichabod determent they mount up and follow him to the foregrounds they dismount at the short walls

What are you running from Magistrate Philipse? said Ichabod while they catch up to him

Damn you Crane and your accomplices! cursed Philipse when he stopped

you have a mind to help us said Ichabod

yes and it's put me in mortal dread-

of what?

of powers against which there is no defense said Philipse

How did you know she was expecting a child? said Korra realized that he knows about The Widow's child

she told me he reply

so you are the father said Mako point at him and accused but he shook his head

I'm not the father said Philipse

Did she tell you the name of the father? said Asami

yes She did. She came to me for advice as town Magistrate to protect the rights of her child and I was bound by my oath of office to keep the secret but-

The father killed her? said Bolin looking frightened

The Horseman killed her said Philipse correcting they still don't believe it but Bolin sometimes thinks it's real and there was thunder and lightning and they ignored it

How often do I have to tell there is no Horseman and Never was a Horseman and never will be a Horseman said Ichabod

What is this thing? said Mako grabbing a cross like necklace and Philipse quickly grab it back from Mako

My talisman it protects me from the Horseman he said when looked frightened

You a Magistrate and your head full of such nonsense now Tell us the name of-but it was interrupted by the sound of Sheep they turned and see a whole flock of them running really fast like they know what's coming and don't think it's wolves

what's got into them? said Korra

then they hear the Sound of a horse Whinnying coming from the woods

who was that? said Asami but Philipse know what that sound and it made his eyes widened

Oh my God! said Philipse running away and they were curious so they turned their heads back to the woods and what they see now made them stunned of what came out of the misty woods it was a Dark rider unsheathing his sword on a great black horse but no face was showing actually no head at all and it was charging they split jump and hit the ground Bolin and Asami on the left and Korra Mako and Ichabod on the right Philipse run fast as he can on the hill his only hope is his talisman he hold it up and he gasp when The Horseman swing his sword after the swing it the talisman in half and his head spins like a top and fell along with the body and the head rolled down the hill like a ball Ichabod and the four were shocked and horrified Bolin had dropped his jaw and his eyes turn wide and Asami put both of her hands on her mouth in shock Ichabod saw the head rolling so Ichabod tried to move away but the head stop between his legs The Horseman rode towards Ichabod but passed him and skewered the head and carried it as a trophy and went into the woods Ichabod faint and Korra and her friends recovered from the shocking scene.

I can't believe it said Korra breathless

That couldn't be added Mako

but it is added Asami

it's The Headless Horseman! shouted Bolin freaking out and they realize Ichabod fainted they tried waking him up but he didn't wake up so they carried him back to The Van Tassel manor on the way they told the town about Philipse's death when Ichabod woke up in his room he couldn't get out so it has been a day Korra and her friends stand by the door while young Masbath sitting Baltus and Katrina came to the door knocking.

Constable Crane, Constable Crane Baltus repeats while knocking has he not come out at all?

all six of them shook their heads so they all came in and they saw him sitting at the corner on his bed and holding his blanket

It was a Headless Horseman said Ichabod shaking

you must not excite yourself said Baltus

But it was a Headless Horseman!-

Of course it was that's why you're here cut by Baltus

no you must believe me. It was a Horseman a dead one Headless!

I know. I know Baltus trying to calm him down

You don't know Because you were not there! and they were with me tell him it's all true!

Ichabod Calm down said Korra

we seen it too added Mako

yeah he rode out of the woods swinging his sword and cut Philipse's head right off and rolling down the hill I mean that was the most scariest thing I ever seen said Bolin didn't know it was not helpful he turned around and see Korra Mako Asami Masbath Baltus and Katrina giving Bolin admonishing looks

oh..sorry said Bolin

Of course it is I told you everyone told you. said Baltus

I... saw him. he said then he fainted

I suppose is back to the city then said Masbath


Sorry I made it so long but I'll be working on Chapter 3 this I swear